St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

 

OUR FAITH

HOLY APOSTLES LENT

The fast that commemorates all the apostles of the Orthodox Church begins on the eighth Sunday after Easter (All Saints Sunday) and ends the evening of June 28^th . Some parishioners take Holy Communion on June 29^th, the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul, but the majority receive Holy Communion on June 30^th, the Feast Day of the Holy Apostles. For those who observe this Lenten period, the fast if generally light, and fish, for example, is often eaten.

Saints Peter and Paul, the great missionary pillars of the church in its early years, are honored together for their tremendous contributions to Christianity. St. Peter, the leader of Christ’s apostles, conducted an extensive ministry for Jesus, founding the church in Rome and Antioch. St. Peter was the greatest missionary of the Church. A fervent Jew, he was converted to Christianity during a blinding light on the road to Damascus, and proceeded to convert thousands in Christ. His extensive writings (almost half of the New Testament) have greatly influenced Christian thought. Parishioners attend church and take communion. In Greece an evening church service is held on the hill of the Areopagus in Athens from which St. Paul made a speech to the Athenians. Their feast day is June 29^th.

Although each of the apostles has his own feast day, the church honors all of them together on June 30^th. It reminds people of the great contributions they made and the positive role models they provide for generations of Christians. Most parishioners extend their fast in this day and take communion.

(Excerpts taken from, “A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America)