Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates end of Apostles’ Fast

CAIRO, July 12 (MENA) – The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrated on Sunday the end of the Apostles’ Fast with a mass held by Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese.

All Coptic Orthodox churches nationwide are celebrating the occasion after the church decided to hold an exceptional mass in the presence of a limited number of worshipers after taking all protective measures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

The Apostles’ Fast, also called the Fast of Peter and Paul, is a fast observed by Eastern Orthodox. In the Byzantine tradition, the Fast begins on the second Monday after Pentecost (the day after All Saints' Sunday), whereas in the Coptic and old Syriac traditions, the Fast begins on the first Monday after Pentecost. It continues until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Traditionally, its duration varies from eight to forty-two days.