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The Fast & Feast of the Apostles

Background

This fast commemorates the fast observed by the disciples after the Ascension of Christ (Acts 10:10; 12:2, 3; 14:21-24; 27:9, 21). It starts on the Monday that follows Pentecost and ends on 5 Abib (July 12), when the Coptic church celebrates the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Since the Feast of Resurrection through Pentecost is a movable period, this fast has no fixed duration, but varies between fifteen and forty-nine days.

According to the Constitutions of the Holy Fathers 5.20: ". . . after you have kept the festival of Pentecost, keep one week more festival, and after that fast; for it is reasonable to rejoice for the gift of God, and to fast after that relaxation" (Constitutions, 1951, p. 449). The Coptic Orthodox Church, however, starts the fast immediately after Pentecost.

The fifty days following the Resurrection are a period of rejoicing during which it is not proper to fast. "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast" (Mt. 9:15). The fathers have stressed this point in their writings. Tertullian (c. 160-220) states: "We consider it unlawful to fast or to pray kneeling, upon the Lord's Day; we enjoy the same liberty from Easter-day to that of Pentecost" (De corona, 1980, p. 94).

Referenced to the Late Archbishop Basilious, the first Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Spiritual Application 

“Their voices went forth into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Psalm 19:4

The Orthodox church is an Apostolic church. She believes in discipleship and the handing down of the faith and the spirit of the Apostles. In the church, the seasons of the year are a progression of events that we observe but also live by applying each season to our own lives. We have recently fasted with Christ and dedicated a time of strong repentance during the Holy Great Fast, we were crucified with Him during Holy Week, we were resurrected with Him as a new creation during the Joyful Fifty Days, we received the Spirit of Truth from the Comforter in Pentecost.

Now we observe the hard labor and struggles of the Apostles who labored even unto death to share and preserve the faith for all the earth immediately after they received the Holy Spirit. We live the season by joining them and tasting the joy of laboring for Christ by laboring for others, and by fasting for one another as fellow laborers. This fast strengthens the service of the church. The members of the body who observe this fast participate in strengthening their own service along with the service of the entire church around the world.

Spiritual exercise

We all fall short in our services, but at least we can fast and pray for the service around the whole world. It is an honor to be able to participate in strengthening the church. We should also dedicate a portion of each day to increasing in the service of others to the best of our abilities. Join with the laborers of the faith and, if you are not already serving in some capacity, commit to some service in your church.

Rites

Overview

The Prostration Prayers, which are considered a transition from the festive Pentecost season to the season of the Fast of the Apostles, are prayed on the day of Pentecost, after the Divine Liturgy.

The Fast of the Apostles is practiced by the church as a second degree fast, meaning fish is permitted; however, Wednesdays and Fridays are practiced as first degree fasts by abstaining from fish, increasing in prostrations, and abstaining from eating until later in the day.

The fast is concluded with the Feast of the Apostles on the day of the commemoration of Saints Peter and Paul on July 12.

Prostration Prayers

The first prostration prayer is prayed in the second chorus of the church with the festive tune.

The second prostration prayer is also prayed in the second chorus of the church and is initially prayed in the festive tune then switches to the standard tune at the gospel response.

The third prostration prayer is prayed in the first chorus, remaining in the standard tune and with the veil of the altar open.

The prayers are concluded with the priest closing the red veil of the altar and all festive white is taken down from the church.

 The Fast of the Apostles

This fast follows the rites of the standard season, with all hymns chanted in the standard tune with the addition of the hymns listed below specific to the Fast of the Apostles.

The Feast of the Apostles

After Matins, the Lakkan prayer is prayed in the third chorus of the church, in the annual tune. The prayer is concluded with the priest washing the feet of the congregation, and the Divine Liturgy continues as normal.

Hymns

doxology for the fast of the apostles

  • Our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen His apostles Peter and Andrew John and James

  • And the rest Phillip and Matthew Bartholomew and Thomas James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Canaanite

  • Thaddeus and Matthias, Paul, Mark, and Luke, and the rest of the disciples who followed our Savior.

  • Matthias who was chosen in place of Judas, all of them and the rest followed the Master

  • Their voices went forth throughout the face of the whole earth and their words have reached the ends of the world.

  • Pray to the Lord on our behalf, O my lords and fathers the apostles and the seventy two disciples, that He may forgive us our sins.

doxology for sts. peter and paul on Feast of the apostles

  • Peter the Apostle and Paul the wise: the heads of disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Peter and Paul trampled the power of Satan and restored the nations to the faith of the Trinity.

  • Peter and Paul are the spiritual priests. They demolished the temples and the worship of idols.

  • Peter and Paul together are the workers and craftsmen: they restored all nations once more to the Creator.

  • Peter and our teacher Paul, with great struggle, were in the stadium of the Apostles.

  • Our father Peter completed his struggle with death on the cross in the great city of Rome for the name of Jesus Christ.

  • Paul also likewise was beheaded in that place by Emperor Nero, all in one day.

  • They received glory from Christ the King, and they rested with Him in His eternal kingdom in the everlasting life.

  • We also honor them with David the Psalmist saying, “Their voices went forth throughout the face of the whole world.”

  • Pray to Lord on our behalf, O my lords and fathers the apostles, our father Peter and our teacher Paul, that He may forgive us our sins.

for truly

Click here for hymn map

  • For truly indeed your names are glorified on Earth, O all you chosen of God: our fathers the Apostles

  • Their voice has gone out over the face of all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

acts response

  • Hail to my lords and fathers the Apostles. Hail to the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ

let us praise

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  • Blessed be the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: the Perfect Trinity. We worship Him and glorify Him.

  • Let us praise the Lord for with glory He is glorified...

  • Refrain: He ascended into the heavens and sent to us the Paraclete: the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter. Amen Alleluia.

  • He made the two into one: that is the Heaven and the Earth...

  • O come all you peoples. Let us worship Jesus Christ…

  • This is God our Savior and the Lord of all flesh…

  • Three in One and One in Three: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter. Amen Alleluia.


the men aboard

  • The men aboard the ships sailing on the sea, come follow me so that I may make you fishers of men. 

  • For those which you will bind on earth shall be bound in the heavens and those which you loosen on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.

  • Our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen His Apostles: who are Peter and Andrew, John and James. 


but you who stood

  • But you who stood with Me in my temptations, I will establish with you My holy covenant forever. 

  • I will let you eat with Me upon My table in My kingdom. I will seat you on twelve thrones; you shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 

  • Come hear the jewel the valuable pearl the caller of piety Luke the Evangelist. 

  • He is speaking of the glory and honor of my lords and fathers, and the height of their level and rank that were given to them.