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determines that the canonical "form" for the celebration of these marriages is of obligation only for liceity;
for their validity the presence of a sacred minister is sufficient, provided that other prescriptions of law are
observed.(23)

DIVINE WORSHIP

19. It belongs only to an ecumenical council or to the Apostolic See to determine, transfer or suppress feast
days common to all the Eastern Churches. On the other hand, to determine, transfer or suppress the feast
days of any of the individual churches is within the competence not only of the Apostolic See but also of the
patriarchal or archiepiscopal synod, due regard being had to the whole area and the other individual
churches.(24)

20. Until such time as all Christians are agreed on a fixed day for the celebration of Easter, with a view
meantime to promoting unity among the Christians of the same area or nation, it is left to the patriarchs or
supreme authorities of a place to come to an agreement by the unanimous consent and combined counsel of
those affected to celebrate the feast of Easter on the same Sunday.(25)

21. Individual faithful dwelling outside the area or territory of their own rite may follow completely the
established custom of the place where they live as regards the law of the sacred seasons. In families of mixed
rite it is permissible to observe this law according to one and the same rite.(26)

22. Eastern clerics and Religious should celebrate in accordance with the prescriptions and traditions of their
own established custom the Divine Office, which from ancient times has been held in high honor in all
Eastern Churches.(27) The faithful too should follow the example of their forebears and assist devoutly as
occasion allows at the Divine Office.

23. It belongs to the patriarch with his synod, or to the supreme authority of each church with the council of
the hierarchs, to regulate the use of languages in the sacred liturgical functions and, after reference to the
Apostolic See, of approving translations of texts into the vernacular.(28)

RELATIONS WITH THE BRETHREN OF THE SEPARATED CHURCHES

24. The Eastern Churches in communion with the Apostolic See of Rome have a special duty of promoting
the unity of all Christians, especially Eastern Christians, in accordance with the principles of the decree,
"About Ecumenism," of this Sacred Council, by prayer in the first place, and by the example of their lives,
by religious fidelity to the ancient Eastern traditions, by a greater knowledge of each other, by collaboration
and a brotherly regard for objects and feelings.(29)

25. If any separated Eastern Christian should, under the guidance of the grace of the Holy Spirit, join himself
to the unity of Catholics, no more should be required of him than what a bare profession of the Catholic faith
demands. Eastern clerics, seeing that a valid priesthood is preserved among them, are permitted to exercise
the Orders they possess on joining the unity of the Catholic Church, in accordance with the regulations
established by the competent authority.(30)

26. Common participation in worship (communicatio in sacris) which harms the unity of the Church or
involves formal acceptance of error or the danger of aberration in the faith, of scandal and indifferentism, is
forbidden by divine law.(32) On the other hand, pastoral experience shows clearly that, as regards our
Eastern brethren, there should be taken into consideration the different cases of individuals, where neither
the unity of the Church is hurt nor are verified the dangers that must be avoided, but where the needs of the
salvation of souls and their spiritual good are impelling motives. For that reason the Catholic Church has
always adopted and now adopts rather a mild policy, offering to all the means of salvation and an example of
charity among Christians, through participation in the sacraments and in other sacred functions and things.
With this in mind, "lest because of the harshness of our judgment we be an obstacle to those seeking
salvation" (31) and in order more and more to promote union with the Eastern Churches separated from us,
the Sacred Council lays down the following policy.

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