THE PETER’S FAST BEGINS TODAY: Here is how long it lasts and what should be observed!

The Peter’s fast, which is also called the Apostolic fast, begins today – the first Monday after Pentecost.

The Peter’s fast lasts until the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates on July 12. The beginning of this fast is movable, depending on the date of Easter and Pentecost, so it can last at shortest a week and one day, and at longest six weeks, RTS reports.

During the fast of the Holy Apostles, meat, dairy products, and eggs are not eaten. Fish, wine, and oil are eaten every day except, of course, Wednesday and Friday, which are fasted “on water”.

On the eve of Peter’s Day, it is a “strict” fast unless it is Saturday or Sunday, when the use of oil is allowed. On the day of the birth of Saint John the Baptist, we eat fish, even if it falls on a Wednesday or Friday. If Peter’s Day falls on a Wednesday or Friday, we do not eat meat and dairy on that day, but eat fish, wine, and oil.

This year, Peter’s Day falls on a Wednesday, so we do not eat meat and dairy on that day, and the day before we adhere to a strict fast. The birth of Saint John the Forerunner, or Ivanjdan, is celebrated this year on a Friday, so fish will be eaten on that day.

As the rules of faith dictate, the purpose of the fast cannot be fulfilled only by abstaining from food.

Fasting also implies abstaining from bad thoughts, words, and deeds.