THE BEGINNING OF THE HOLY APOSTLES FAST

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior,The
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

THE BEGINNING OF THE HOLY APOSTLES FAST

The Apostles Fast is one of the four major fasting seasons in the Orthodox Tradition. It precedes the Feast of Saint Peter and Paul and varies in length depending on the date of Holy Pascha (Easter). The Fast dates back to the early centuries of Christianity. Historical records from the Holy Fathers of the Church like Saint Athanasius the Great and Saint Ambrose of Milan mention its observance in the 3rd and 4th centuries. The practice is rooted in Christ’s words to the Pharisees: "The days will come when the Bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast" (Matthew 9:15). Holy Tradition holds that the Holy Apostles fasted and prayed to prepare for their departure from Jerusalem to spread the Holy Gospel and to thank God for the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The purpose of the Fast is for the faithful to emulate the example of the Holy Apostleswe eat neithser oil nor and seek and prepare themselves spiritually through prayer and fasting. Turning to the Almighty God for guidance, strength, and inspiration. It is a period of thanksgiving for the Gifts of the Holy Splirit given at Pentecost and for endurance. All Orthodox Christians are encouraged to use the Fast to reflect on the legacy of the HolyApostles, dedicate more time to personal prayer and almsgiving (charity or philanthropy), and to renew their own Christian faith in their daily lives.

The Fast of the Holy Apostles begins on the Monday following the All Saints Sunday (the week after Pentecost) and concludes on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29th). The fasting rules are typically more lenient than Great and Holy Lent: Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs, while fish is permitted on designated days. "It should be noted that in the Feast of the Holy Apostles and of the Nativity of Christ, on Tuesday and Thursday we do not eat fish, but only oil and wine. On Monday, Wednesday, and Fridaynor wine. On Saturday and Sunday we eat fish."

"Fasting is absolutely indispensable for man." From the external aspect, it s a struggle of filial obedience to God, Who has given us the fules of fasting through His Holy Spirit. From the inner aspect, fasting IS A STRUGGLE OF RESTRAINT AND SELF-LIMITATION. In this lies the great value and sense of fasting, since a strict observance of fast tempers one’s will and perfects the character of one who is firm in his religious convictions and actions. Let us not forget that Chist Himself fasted, prayed and foretold that His Holy Apostles would also pray and fast.

During the days of the Fasts, our Holy Orthodox Church chants, "While fasting bodily, let us also fast spiritually…" True fasting includes deeds of Christian mercy. It is an alienation of the evil one, a restraint of the tongue, a laying aside of anger,, a cutting off of vices and an exposure of falsehood. Thus, for a Christian fasting is a time of restraint and self-education in all respects, and a real Christian fast gives the faithful a great moral satisfaction. The great teachers of Chrsitian asceticism Bishop Theophan the Recluse says of fasting:

"Fasting appears gloomy until the steps into its arena. But begin and you will see what light it brings after darkness, what freedom from bonds, what release after a burdensome life." The act of fasting is a conscious act to glorify God and His creation as it helps us overcome our actions based on our passions and bodily desires for pleasure. It is an act that restrains our egoism (pride) and heightens our spiritual appetite. Fasting demands will power and the reestablishment of the dominion of the soul over the flesh. Gluttony is seen by our Church Fathers as the primary passion to overcome. Mastering it you can then mast the others. "Whoever rejects the fasts," deprives himself and others of weapons against his own much-suffering flesh and against the devil, who have power over us especially as the result of intemperance."

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George