Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Charistia

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

CHARIS'TIA (Χαρίστια or Χαριτήσια). The feast of the Charities; a family banquet, to which none but relatives or members of the same family were invited, and the object of which was to reconcile any differences which might have arisen amongst them, and to preserve the kindred united and friendly with one another. (Val. Max. ii. 1. 8. Ov. Fast. ii. 617.) It was celebrated on the 19th of February (viii. Cal. Mart.), which was thence termed the "kinsmen's day" — lux propinquorum. Mart. Ep. ix. 56.