Peter's Fast - what date begins and ends

Petrov post in 2021 / photo autogear.ru

Very soon the first of two summer fasts will begin, which is established in honor of the apostles Paul and Peter. This fast is considered non-strict because on most days it is allowed to eat fish. This is due to the fact that the Apostle Peter was born into a fisherman’s family and is considered the patron saint of fishermen. The meaning of this fast is voluntary abstinence from temptations and spiritual cleansing.

When does Petrov's fast begin and end in 2021?

Peter's fasting (abstinence) is connected by date with the day of the Holy Trinity: it begins on the eighth day after it and always on Monday. Bright Easter Sunday and Trinity are movable holidays, falling on different dates every year. Therefore, the beginning of the Apostolic Fast, unlike its end, is not tied to one date, which is why the duration of the fasting period is different. Depending on when Easter was celebrated in the current year, the duration of summer fasting ranges from 42 to 8 days.

The end of Petrovka is a fixed date, falling on the day before the feast of Peter and Paul. The Christian celebration in honor of the veneration of the holy apostles is celebrated on July 12 (June 29 according to the Julian calendar), the fast always ends on July 11.

In 2021, believers celebrated Easter on May 2, Trinity on June 20. Accordingly, Peter's fast will begin on June 28 and end exactly two weeks (weeks) later - on July 11.

Individual periods of abstinence

In Orthodoxy, there are one-day and multi-day fasts. Believers fast before church holidays or significant days for Orthodoxy.

One-day posts

Weekly fast days include Wednesday and Friday. Fast days have their own symbolic essence, which the Christian soul does not dare to pass by indifferently.

• Wednesday marks the moment of great shame of the human soul, personified in the image of the traitor Judas. The disciple sold the Savior for a small handful of coins and accepted death after severe remorse.
• Friday is the time of enduring inhumane mockery of the Son of God crucified on the cross. This is a day of terrible suffering and subsequent death of the One who came to atone for the guilt of all creation. Memories of this event give strength in the fight against the temptations of material luxury.

  
  Meals on fasting days

Relaxations exist during the following periods:

• week after Trinity;
• Christmastide period (from Christmas to Epiphany);
• on Maslenitsa (meat food is prohibited, dairy products are allowed)

There are also special one-day posts:

1. Day of the beheading of John the Baptist (September 11).
2. Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 27).
3. The day before Epiphany.

Multi-day posts

1. Great Lent (Quenterday). Lasts 40 days and symbolizes the suffering path of Christ the Savior to Golgotha ​​to make a sacrifice. During this period, it is recommended not to eat on Monday, as well as on Tuesday of the first week and on Good Friday. On weekdays, bread and vegetables are allowed once, boiled food is allowed only on weekends, fish - on the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and Palm Sunday.

About nutrition during Lent:

• What can you eat in the first week
• What to cook in the second week
• What to cook in the third week

1. Petrovsky fast (duration 8-42 days).
2. Dormition fast (duration 14 days).
3. Christmas (up to 40 days).

   
   Dry eating during Lent

What is the point of the post?

The first information that Christians were required to fast before the day of remembrance of the Holy Apostles dates back to the 3rd century. In the “Tradition”, the authorship of which belongs to the early Christian saint Hippolytus of Rome, it is noted that fasting days continued until the holiday series, that is, until the Assumption. But such a long abstinence was a burden for many, so the period was divided into two parts, allocating the first to fasting until the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul, and the second until the Dormition.

Other names for the Petrine fast: Apostolic, Petrovka, Petrov fast, Petrov, Pentecost.

The period of spiritual humility and abstinence from food is a tribute to the memory before the celebration of a great celebration - the two supreme saints Peter and Paul. It is no coincidence that the time is also called Apostolic Lent.

One of the common names is Petrov (Petrovsky), which is what people usually call this time. The mention of only Peter in the name in no way diminishes the role and significance of the second apostle - Paul. It is difficult to say “Peter and Paul”, so the name of the saint, usually mentioned first, stuck.

The official approval came at a time when cathedrals in honor of the apostles were erected and consecrated in Rome and Constantinople. The day of the consecration of the temple in the capital of Byzantium fell on July 12 (June 29), and from then on the date began to be celebrated as a special celebration. The Orthodox have an established tradition of preceding the holiday with prayers and spiritual and bodily abstinence.

In Rus', information about the observance of fasting days in the first half of summer dates back to the 11th century. The appearance of fasting is associated with the introduction of Christianity and the rejection of pagan rituals and traditions. Initially it was called the fast of Pentecost (Holy Trinity), emphasizing the connection of events. Later, the name Petrov was established as a thanksgiving, veneration of the memory of the supreme apostles.

Its essence is to achieve spiritual and physical purity and self-improvement. Orthodox Christians pray, perform repentance, and refuse certain foods. At the same time, one should not consider the main thing in this period to be abstinence from meat, dairy dishes, or food restrictions, since the meaning of fasting is in mercy, in repentance, in the joy of devoting oneself to God.

How to prepare for it

The fasting after the Day of the Holy Trinity is considered lighter in comparison with Great Lent. The rules have been relaxed, especially since depending on the year, the duration of the period may be short.

If a believer, according to the church calendar, fasts constantly, then no special preparation is required. The body gets used to abstinence, and the person does not feel stress or illness. Those who begin to fast for the first time from Petrovok will have to prepare, otherwise the body may malfunction.

Changes to the usual regime should be gradual; a sudden transition to fasting is unacceptable. They begin preparing well in advance, approximately 14-16 days before the start of the fast.

Recommendations:

• try to eat fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt);
• make it a rule (and not only before fasting) to drink enough water;
• for the normal functioning of the digestive system, supplement vegetable dishes with bran;
• Gradually reduce the amount of meat and dairy foods, giving priority to fruits, vegetables, and cereals.

Time should be spent in prayer, be sure to undergo the rite of communion and receive the blessing of the priest.

What can you eat on Peter's Fast - calendar by days of the week

In Petrovka there is no complete abstinence from all products of animal origin, but certain rules must be followed. Daily bans apply:

• for meat products (during the entire period);
• for dairy products;
• on eggs.

According to the rules of the Church Charter, there is dry eating on Friday and Wednesday. Take food prepared without heat treatment (without fire), not seasoned with vegetable oil. Alcohol is prohibited for the entire period; it is only allowed to sip a small amount of wine on Sunday. Usually during the period of fasting there is the feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7), on which wine is also allowed, preferably red.

Fish and seafood are prohibited, but they can be eaten strictly on certain days:

• Tuesday;
• Thursday;
• Saturday;
• Sunday.

In the daily fasting menu:

• cereals and bakery products;
• nuts, honey, mushrooms;
• legumes;
• greens, vegetables, fruits;
• vegetable oil;
• Fish and seafood.

Nutrition calendar for the days of Peter's Lent in 2021

The symbol * marks the days of dry eating in the calendar.

People called the time of fasting “Petrovka hunger strikes,” meaning a meager menu. The old supplies for the winter had already run out, the new harvest had not arrived yet, so they were getting by as best they could.

If in the southern regions at that time the first vegetables and herbs were in full swing, then in the north they were “saved” by fish, sorrel, quinoa, and nettles. They prepared okroshka, green cabbage soup, fish soup, cooked porridge, baked “rybniki”, lean pancakes or flatbreads. Sweets were replaced with honey, dried fruits, and jam. They consumed compotes, fruit drinks, infusions. The menu was chosen taking into account the state of health, material conditions, and lifestyle.

Prohibitions of church fasting

Almost all church holidays in Christianity have the same prohibitions. This event is no exception to the rule. During Peter's Fast you cannot:

• Drink alcohol (even wine);
• Use obscene language;
• Yell at someone;
• Conflict with relatives;
• Take offense;
• Think negatively;
• Clean up your home;
• Sweep the yard;
• Skip days of prayer.

If you adhere to all these prohibitions, the church fast will go as it should.

Comments

What is prohibited and allowed to be done during Apostolic Lent

The main thing in the fasting period is spiritual abstinence, and food restrictions play a secondary role. It is important to do good deeds, please the Savior, keep yourself in a state of meekness, humility, and love for others.

According to church canons, fervent prayers and reading spiritual books are prescribed. They work just as diligently, after which they always rest. Idle pastime, noisy gatherings, and watching television programs are condemned. It is advisable, if possible, to postpone visiting guests, concerts, and cinemas.

At any time, and especially during Lent, you should not discuss others, conflict with others, or quarrel with household members. We must try to protect ourselves from rumors, gossip, participation in showdowns and scandals.

At the same time, the time of abstinence should not be a burden. We must enjoy life, try to treat people peacefully and respectfully. Even if there were conflicts with someone, it is important to try to find ways to reconciliation, to compromise, because fasting is a period of mercy, peace and cordiality.

In everyday life in Petrovka it was forbidden to borrow money or do handicrafts (“you’ll sew up happiness”). The ban extended to smoking, fortune telling, and gluttony.

The meaning of the post and its correct understanding

The main point of fasting is not abstinence from meat, but a person’s desire to become at least a little better.
Giving up specific foods will be useless if a person does not take care of his soul. In this case, fasting is reduced to a regular diet and does not bring benefit to the person. The time of fasting is the spiritual spring of the soul. At this time, a person strives to cleanse his soul, tries to understand his life, remembers his main purpose - the desire for unity with God. Fasting is the most favorable time for the spiritual improvement of the human personality, the growth of man as the image of God, and the desire to achieve Divine likeness. It turns out that abstaining from food is just a diet, and if we are talking specifically about fasting, then we need to keep in mind certain things, without which abstinence not only does not make sense, but is not even such!