The Lent of Summer or of the Holy Apostles, is in the month of June during the harvest, but it does not have a specific and fixed duration.
It depends on when Easter is.
In the days of old, before the internet and before churches handed out calendars, when pious people wanted to figure out how long the Apostles' Fast would be in a particular year, which was important because it usually fell during the June harvest season, they figured out in a practical way when it would be and how long it would last. They did this by remembering the following saying:
"As many days as there are left in April and three in May."
It depends on when Easter is.
In the days of old, before the internet and before churches handed out calendars, when pious people wanted to figure out how long the Apostles' Fast would be in a particular year, which was important because it usually fell during the June harvest season, they figured out in a practical way when it would be and how long it would last. They did this by remembering the following saying:
"As many days as there are left in April and three in May."
("Όσες μέρες περισσεύουν του Απρίλη και τρεις του Μάη.")
Example one:
If Easter is April 12, there are 18 days left until the end of April, plus 3 days in May equals 21.
So the duration of the Summer Lent will begin on June 8, 21 days before the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which is on June 29. And Meatfare takes place on June 7, All Saints' Day.
Example two:
If Easter is on April 6, there are 24 days left until the end of April, plus 3 days in May equals 27 days.
So the duration of the Summer Lent will begin on June 2, 27 days before the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which is on June 29. And Meatfare takes place on June 1, All Saints' Day.
Example three:
If Easter is on April 8, there are 22 days left until the end of April, plus 3 days in May equals 25 days.
So the duration of the Summer Lent will begin on June 4, 25 days before the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which is on June 29. And Meatfare takes place on June 3, All Saints' Day.
Ecclesiastically, however, it is calculated as follows:
The Meatfare of Summer Lent is the Eighth Sunday after Easter, All Saints' Day, since the feast of All Saints is movable and depends on the date of Easter.
As is known, Easter for Orthodox Christians who follow the New Calendar falls between April 4 at the earliest and May 8 at the latest.
In the case where Easter falls after May 3, then there is no Summer Lent in June and thus no Apostles' Fast, because the Eighth Sunday coincides with or is later than June 29, the day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
All this, of course, for those who still observe the fasts prescribed by our Church.
Because all Lents have been almost forgotten, especially that of Summer Lent or of the Holy Apostles.
Example one:
If Easter is April 12, there are 18 days left until the end of April, plus 3 days in May equals 21.
So the duration of the Summer Lent will begin on June 8, 21 days before the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which is on June 29. And Meatfare takes place on June 7, All Saints' Day.
Example two:
If Easter is on April 6, there are 24 days left until the end of April, plus 3 days in May equals 27 days.
So the duration of the Summer Lent will begin on June 2, 27 days before the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which is on June 29. And Meatfare takes place on June 1, All Saints' Day.
Example three:
If Easter is on April 8, there are 22 days left until the end of April, plus 3 days in May equals 25 days.
So the duration of the Summer Lent will begin on June 4, 25 days before the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which is on June 29. And Meatfare takes place on June 3, All Saints' Day.
Ecclesiastically, however, it is calculated as follows:
The Meatfare of Summer Lent is the Eighth Sunday after Easter, All Saints' Day, since the feast of All Saints is movable and depends on the date of Easter.
As is known, Easter for Orthodox Christians who follow the New Calendar falls between April 4 at the earliest and May 8 at the latest.
In the case where Easter falls after May 3, then there is no Summer Lent in June and thus no Apostles' Fast, because the Eighth Sunday coincides with or is later than June 29, the day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
All this, of course, for those who still observe the fasts prescribed by our Church.
Because all Lents have been almost forgotten, especially that of Summer Lent or of the Holy Apostles.
