When the beginning and end of Petrov Lent in 2020

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Peter's Lent is one of two summer fasts that prepares Christians for the feast of honoring the apostles Paul and Peter. Knowing what date the fast begins and when it ends in 2020, you can tune in correctly in advance.

history of the holiday

This period, like other fasts, is necessary for bodily and spiritual cleansing. Believers traditionally limit themselves to food and entertainment in order to fully comprehend the mystery of spiritual development and cleansing from sins.

Now it is impossible to say exactly when the Christians began to celebrate Petrov is simple. Scientists found the very first data about him in a written Roman source of the 3rd century.

This fast was intended for those who could not stand the strict Lent. And the fast acquired its real meaning and name by the middle of the 4th century, when believers began to celebrate the day of remembrance of Paul and Peter.

Not everyone understands why the Apostolic Fast follows the Trinity (Pentecost). This is due to the most important event that took place on this particular holiday. The Lord granted to all people through the descent of the Holy Spirit the New Testament, according to which from now on everyone was to live.

That is why you cannot fast on the Trinity - this is the greatest holiday of the joy and co-presence of God. And after it, bodily and spiritual cleansing is needed in order to feel the full importance and weight of the Lord's gift. Every Christian in fasting proves that he is worthy to be under the protection and mercy of the Almighty.

It is not by chance that Paul and Peter are named the supreme apostles. All the apostles are the hand of the Lord and are endowed with the power to judge the sins of people. Each of them has passed his earthly path, but in the face of the Almighty they are equal in their manifestations.

In Orthodoxy, Peter is revered as a wise and sober saint. Paul gives a bright mind that is able to push the darkness of ignorance and give people the direction of life.

Some researchers believe that Peter's fast was needed in Russia so that people would stop following pagan rituals, which were supposed to be performed in this summer.

The beginning and end of Petrov Lent in 2020

Another name for Peter's Lent is Apostolic, it is dedicated to the memory of people important to the Orthodox Church: the holy apostles Peter and Paul. Peter's fast always lasts in different ways: from a week to 47 days.

It is tied to the mobile holidays - Easter and Trinity, which, as you know, are celebrated on different days every year. The Apostolic Fast begins 57 days after Easter. And what number ends is not difficult to calculate.

In 2020, Trinity will be celebrated on June 7th. And since Peter's fast traditionally begins on the second Monday after Trinity, it will last 27 days - from June 15 to July 11 inclusive.

On July 12, all Orthodox Christians will honor Saints Peter and Paul. Fasting is not strict and you can eat fish and seafood during it.

This is due to the fact that Peter was a fisherman, he is considered the patron saint of all those involved in fishing and maritime affairs. On the holiday itself, July 12, you can eat meat.

Traditions and signs

Many traditions have arisen from the rules of fasting, when people need to restrict the consumption of certain foods and foods. The rule of abstinence from meat and milk during fasting came to us from Ancient Rome and Constantinople, when the first churches in memory of the apostles were erected.

On July 12, one of the new churches was consecrated, so this day became a dedication to the main disciples and companions of Jesus Christ. Later it became a tradition to limit oneself in entertainment and food, praying and cleansing from sins, extolling tribute to the respect and memory of the saints who gave their lives for the teachings of the Lord.

In Russia, they sacredly revered the traditions of abstinence and humility of the flesh for the sake of spiritual growth and tried to strictly observe all the necessary restrictions. The Church was careful to ensure that the tradition was not violated.

Many interesting dishes and innovations in everyday food intake have appeared among the people, associated with the inability to eat meat or dairy products during fasting. In ancient times, Peter's fast was a hungry time, since the new harvest had not yet ripened, and one had to rely only on pasture from the forest.

Therefore, inventive housewives introduced into everyday life such dishes as botvinia from all kinds of greens, okroshka, mushrooms in all kinds. Fish, and indeed pies with it, were not served every day, but served on holidays and weekends, if possible.

Flour was also expensive and not available to everyone. A fish pie in those days was often a large fish wrapped in dough and thus baked. Although Peter's fast is not considered strict, there are still restrictions.

Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol are prohibited. Although on some days it is possible to take a small amount of red wine. In general, smoking is not welcomed by the Orthodox Church and is considered a sinful activity.

It is also better not to eat eggs, dairy products, meat. The time of fasting should be devoted not to caring for the body, but to caring for your own soul, and purifying the body, freeing the spirit from earthly dependencies.

Signs are not always empty superstitions. Some of them are designed to regulate the way of life and serve as spiritual guidelines.

There are some signs in Petrov post. Observing them, a person acquires new spiritual values:

1. The first day of fasting is dedicated to prayer. Do not do heavy work and house cleaning.
2. It is believed that any marriages and alliances between people made during the fast will not last long.
3. At the beginning of the fast, early in the morning, you need to wash yourself with water from a spring, a river, in order to cleanse the body and thoughts of impurity.
4. They do not cut their hair during fasting, otherwise the hair will not grow well, but, on the contrary, will weaken.
5. In Russia, they went to the forest and listened to the cuckoo: if it stopped singing about 7 days before the beginning of the fast, it means that the winter will be early and cold. If the bird sings almost the entire post, it means that winter will come later.
6. When it rains on Peter's day (July 12), it means rich harvests.
7. If during the fast you observe all the restrictions and do not fall into temptation, then it was believed that the Almighty bestows health, luck and sources of income for a person, as gratitude for service.

Bearing with honor and dignity all the hardships of Peter's fast, people are able to become closer to the Lord, and their lives will be cleansed of sin and ignorance.

Summing up

1. Knowing when, what date Peter Lent begins and when it ends in 2020, you can properly prepare the body for it.
2. Before observing traditions, it is important to have information about the history of the holiday in order to know why it is being done.
3. In Petrov post, no weddings are played and they strictly adhere to a diet.