 The view that marriage is primarily intended for the purpose of procreation dominated early Christianity, and held by many Church Fathers.During the entire Middle Ages, the question of when intercourse was allowed and when it was not, was very important.Intercourse was prohibited on all Sundays and all the many feast days, as well as the 20 days before Christmas, the 40 days before Easter, and often the 20 days before Pentecost, as well as three or more days before receiving Communion (which at that time was offered only a few times a year).