Moveable Feasts and the Apostles Fast.

It's that time again!
  
Many of us have enjoyed a fast free Friday but do you know why?  It has to do with the moveable feasts which start with the Triodion and end with Holy Apostles on June 30th.   

We are currently in the post Pentecost period and are about to enter the Apostles Fast.  Being part of the moveable calendar, the duration of the Apostles Fast varies on how early or late PASCHA was. Notice the picture below...  if the Triodion starts earlier, the top circle turns counterclockwise which lengthens the Apostle Fast.  But if the Triodion starts later, the top circle turns clockwise and the Apostles Fast is shorter. 

 

This year we have a three week Apostles Fast.

 

 

Push pins mark the nine of the twelve major feasts: Nativity of the Theotokos, Elevation of the Cross, Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, Nativity of Christ, Theophany of our Lord, Presentation of Our Lord, Annunciation of the Theotokos, Transfiguration of Our Lord, Dormition of the Theotokos. 

 

 

The MOVEABLE FEASTS:

 The Triodion (yellow) - "Three" weeks before Lent. 

• No Fasting
• Meatfare- Regular Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays
• Cheesefare- Fast Week (Dairy, Eggs, and Fish Allowed)

Great and Holy Lent- (green)  Strict Fast (No Eggs, Dairy or Meat) ((not even lamb.))  (((Big Fat Greek Wedding)))

Saturday of Lazarus (Wine and Oil Allowed)

Palm Sunday (Fish, Wine and Oil Allowed) ((Big Fish day to give you strength for the upcoming week))

Holy Week, Strict Fast

Great and Holy PASCHA, Easter. Fast Free (But you already knew that)

Bright Week, Fast Free

Back to our regularly scheduled fasting schedule…. Wednesdays and Fridays.

Holy Ascension

Pentecost- Sunday of All Saints, No Fasting
Apostles Fast, (fish allowed) ((One of the "lesser" fasts that is often overlooked))
Holy Apostles

 

 

 

 

 

Christ is Risen!

Have you ever been to a funeral during the Pascha Season?  The clergy wear white and the faithful sing Christ is Risen.  It's the most honest express of hope in the resurrection there is.  I hope my funeral is following Easter. 

 

 

We are still in the Pascha Season and we still say Christ is Risen... but only for another week! 

 

 

Listen to EIKONA sing the Paschal Hymn with guests singing in various languages. 

http://myocn.net/forty-days-of-pascha-christ-is-risen/

V's Cardbox

 

Order your cards while you still have time to send them.

 

 

http://shop.vscardbox.com/Pascha-90-002.htm
 

 

 

Baptism?  Wedding?  Name Day?

Visit my website for Orthodox Cards to send all year long. 

 

V's Cardbox

 

 

http://shop.vscardbox.com/Assorted-Orthodox-COMBO.htm

http://shop.vscardbox.com/Assorted-Orthodox-COMBO.htm

http://shop.vscardbox.com/Assorted-Orthodox-COMBO.htm

http://shop.vscardbox.com/Assorted-Orthodox-COMBO.htm

 

http://shop.vscardbox.com/Assorted-Orthodox-COMBO.htm

 

Vegan Moussaka

 

Looking for a vegan meal for Saturday of Lazarus or Palm Sunday?  This is definitely "Company Worthy."   I posted a recipe for OCN of a Vegan Moussaka and it's delicious!

 

 

 

 



 

For more detailed info on the "Cream" Sauce...

 

“Cream” Sauce:

Boil 5c water in a large saucepan and remove from heat.  Stir in 3/4c instant potato flakes until dissolved and set aside.

 

 

 

Heat ½ c oil in medium saucepan.  Stir in ¾ c flour and cook while stirring until it turns a golden color. 

 

 

Lower heat and slowly stir in potato water, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.  Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.  

 

 

 

Inspiration and Sorrow

This little girl reminds me of what Christianity can be and what we lost when Mosul was destroyed.  All the nuances of the faith must have been absorbed into the culture.  How else can a young girl so naturally proclaim "God provides,"   with the same ease as Southern children say, "Yes, Ma'am." 

And now I can't help but think of how much more we are missing from the many hundreds of years where we were under persecution.  Signs of praise, thanksgiving, prayer... second nature to Christians who lived in Christian communities. 

But we are watered down in our Orthodox Culture.  We forget to be generous, thankful, merciful.  And worse, we live in fear and anger.  Little Myriam is my glimpse of what a true authentic Christian is.  And I am convinced that she was nurtured to be this way. 

Oh what we lost when Mosul fell.  Oh what we lost.