Apostles' Fast

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Apostles' Fast, also called the Fast of the Holy Apostles, is a fast that was undertaken by the disciples of Jesus Christ following the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Having rejoiced for fifty days following Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostles began to prepare for their departure from Jerusalem to spread Christ's message. As part of their preparation, they began a fast with prayer to ask God to strengthen their resolve and to be with them in their missionary undertakings.

The tradition of the fast has existed at least since Pope Leo I (461 AD), as is evidenced by his homilies. The fast is thought to have been instituted out of thanksgiving toward the apostles of Christ. With this fast, believers express their thanks for the apostles' endurance of persecution during their mission.

The length of the fast is determined by the date of Easter. Eight weeks after Easter, comes the Sunday of All Saints. The next day, Monday, the Fast of the Holy Apostles begins. The fast lasts until June 29, the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. In other words, depending on the date of Easter, the Apostles' Fast can begin as early as May 18 or as late as June 21. Thus, it may be as short as eight days or as long as forty-two days in duration.

In 1924, the Church of Greece and the Church of Constantinople, and later some other local churches, changed to a different calendar from other Orthodox Church Councils. Easter often falls very late on the new calendar, which can obliterate the Fast of the Holy Apostles entirely.