love feast

American  

noun

1. (among the early Christians) a meal eaten in token of brotherly love and charity; agape.

2. a rite in imitation of this, practiced by a number of modern denominations; a fellowship meal.

3. a banquet or gathering of persons to promote good feeling, restore friendly relations, honor a special guest, etc.

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love feast British  

noun

1. Also called: agape.  (among the early Christians) a religious meal eaten with others as a sign of mutual love and fellowship

2. a ritual meal modelled upon this

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Etymology

Origin of love feast

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

In addition, we should not imagine that relations between Muralug Islanders and Cape York Aborigines were an uninterrupted love feast at which Aborigines eagerly sopped up culture from island teachers.

From Literature

The Agapæ, or love feasts, which formed one of the most touching symbols of Christian unity, had become scenes of drunkenness and of riot.

From Project Gutenberg

The love feast of the primitive Christians, being a meal partaken of in connection with the communion.

From Project Gutenberg

They not only hold to baptism and the Lord's supper, but to washing each other's feet, and, I believe, the observance of an annual love feast.

From Project Gutenberg

The Lord’s Supper was observed weekly; and between forenoon and afternoon service every Sunday a love feast was held at which every member was required to be present.

From Project Gutenberg