Orthodox Christians today begins the fast of the apostles. It ends on 11 July, on the eve of the Holy apostles Peter and Paul.
the fast of the apostles is preceded by a note of 12 July, the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul (St. Peter’s day). Church Charter will classify them as great. These celebrations, in simple terms, lower in rank than Easter and the twelve days (the name comes from the date — twelve) dedicated to the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the virgin. Same great feasts — the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7), the beheading of his Chapter (September 11), the Circumcision of our Lord (January 14) and the Intercession of the Holy virgin (October 14).
“the Goal is to give the Orthodox in the period between Pentecost (the feast of the Holy Trinity) and a fairly long time before the beginning of the Dormition fast (August 14) some support and not allow to spread the ink. After the summer of the liturgical life is not so intense, man wants to relax and unwind. But believers ought not to forget about prayer, the temple, and that in any pastime should be a reasonable restraint,” explains the head of the Educational Committee of Russian Orthodox Church Archpriest Maxim Kozlov.
Besides, according to him, Peter reminds Christians that they are called to be witnesses of Christ and His teachings. That is, a person needs to restore her faith a way of life.
“Imposed by the limitations — one of the ways evidence,” adds the father of Maxim.
By the way, in the early Christian period witnessed not only called the apostles, and of all the saints. And the word “Martyr” in Greek means “witness.”
Before you can testify about the new doctrine in any the city, the apostles always kept a strict fast. Over time, this began to imitate the simple believers. In memory of the disciples of Christ in some communities have declared a long period of abstinence, which was called Apostolic. He fell on the summer months, from Pentecost to the assumption of the virgin.
And is made in the fourth century the veneration of Peter and Paul. First of all it was marked by the construction of basilicas in their honor in Rome, where in the first century, they have undergone a penalty. So, for several days before the consecration of the new Church the Roman Christians fasted.
However, this version of the origin of the apostles ‘ fast is not the only. According to another, approximately in the III century there was the rule by which the Christian, who missed the any of the days of lent, was obliged to compensate it in the period between Pentecost and the Assumption. Subsequently, the term was reduced to the day of Peter and Paul.
Now this is one of four multi-day posts along with Great, Christmas and the assumption. But, unlike them, the Apostolic retreat no clear framework. The thing in the persons��nastah the Church calendar.
Petrovsky (another name these days) starts in the week after Whitsunday (Pentecost), celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. Same date of Easter changes every year. In 2020 Easter fell on 19 April, Trinity, respectively, on 7 June, and the beginning of Peter’s post — June 15.
Hence arose the belief that on Petrovka refrain follows as strictly as in the eve of Easter. In fact it is not.
“One of the mistakes of those who came to the Church in the last 20-30 years — an attempt to psychologically set yourself up for multi-day summer of self-restraint the same as for lent. It will not work, and so the problem is not. Great post in its meaning is much deeper, so four such retreat in the year itself won’t program. Temperance and restriction, maintaining control over one’s own consciousness and prayer life, remembering that even at the beach or the Hacienda you’re a Christian — this is just for Petrova post,” — emphasizes Maxim.
compared to the other three the fast of the apostles is considered the most soft. The priests explain: historically. People’s interpretations are much more diverse. For example, residents of Transcarpathia say that, when all the apostles were fasting, “Peter secretly eat cheese”.
Another option: Peter was a fisherman. Therefore, fasting is popularly called “fish”. Indeed, the Charter authorizes this product. However, contrary to popular belief, not every day.
“The Apostolic post the same Charter, as at Christmas. Wednesday and Friday — xerophagy or cooked food,” — says the famous ecclesiastical writer, hieromonk IBAS, instead (of Senchukov).
other days, except as provided in the Church calendar of cases served — that is, food with oil. At the same time, said the monk, and seafood are allowed.
“food Rules in the post depends on many things: how long period of retreat, how it is significant, at what time of year you have and so on. In the Church there is a gradation of severity of abstinence. The soft cheese sedmitsa the week before lent, when everything except the meat. Next on the rigor of the post are allowed to fish (Christmas and Petrov). Then follow oil, boiled food without oil xerophagy, bread and water, and full newmachine food” — lists father IBAS, instead.
Given the softness of fasting for believers, as noted by the clergy, there is no problem with cooking. In the old days at Peter’s retreat had the beginning of the fishing season. Therefore, river fish was especially popular in this period.
For zapilivanija it uses white kvass. Because, he says, “there is nothing more in the post”.
“Almost every day vegetable oil are permitted, poethave you can sharpen anything. For example, I love cabbage with mushrooms. The cabbage is first boiled, then it to fry together with mushrooms. Or boiled all together,” says the priest.
In the end, believers decide for themselves what to eat on the street. If, however, there any questions should be addressed to the Confessor. Importantly, as in any post — do not forget about the spiritual meaning of celibacy.
