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Father Thomas M. Constantine

Greetings in our Great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Now that we have celebrated Pentecost, we enter into the Apostles Fast. This fast varies in length, because it is dependent upon when Pentecost falls and lasts until June 29, the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Sometimes there may be little or even no fast period, or it may last as long as 29 days (as is the case this year).

Pascha and Pentecost are movable feasts. They are determined by the vernal equinox and the falling of the Jewish Passover.

This year Pascha was celebrated the earliest it could ever be (April 4).

Pentecost is always 50 days after Pascha. This year is the longest Peter and Paul fast. This period is probably the least observed of all the fasts. Because the fast length varies greatly from year to year, for some it may be difficult to develop a consistency in our Orthodox Christian discipline.

Moreover, I have heard people ask why we have a fast period for Peter and Paul. We have fasts for Christ’s Resurrection and Birth, and we have a fast for the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Fasts for Christ and the Virgin Mary are understandable but why for the Apostles?

At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the Holy Apostles, the Church was born.

The Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, began preaching to the masses in their native tongues. At this gathering there were people from many different places who spoke different languages.

In fact the Apostles were accused of being drunk. This was absurd because these simple and uneducated men were able to speak in foreign languages. Peter then gave a very moving sermon teaching about Christ.

The people present were so moved by Peter and the other Apostles teachings that they then sought their advice. Peter exclaimed that they needed to be baptized so that the Holy Spirit may come upon them as well.

Thus the leaders started to help spread the word of God. Soon the church began to develop and its structure began to take shape. The teachings of Saint Peter as well as Saint Paul revealed to us how the Church should be. The church today is structured according to their guidance.

This fast period is an important one, because we recognize the importance of these great men. As Christ chose them, they joyfully accepted their roll and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit were able to carry out their mission. This is a great teaching for us. Through our fasting and praying, we also may become like these wonderful Apostles.

With Christ’s teachings, may we also have their zeal and love and live more Christ and have the desire to see His Holy Mission carried out. May we all become apostles of Christ. May we have a spiritually fulfilling lenten season.

Yours in Christ,

+Father Thomas M. Constantine