The Orthodox Christians on June 16 begin the Apostles’ Fast, also called the Fast of the Holy Apostles or the Fast of Peter and Paul. The fast starts on the second Monday after Pentecost and continues until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and entails fasting from meat, eggs and dairy products.
According to tradition, the people in Moldova clean their wells on this day. They also remove the tree branches put on Pentecost, IPN reports.
The Apostles' Fast is not as severe as the other fasting periods as fish, wine and oil are allowed on every Saturday and Sunday and on the Nativity of St. Johan the Baptist, on June 24. The length of the Apostles’ Fast is variable, being determined by the date of Easter. It may be as short as eight days or as long as forty-two days in duration.
During this Fast, as in the case of the other fasting periods of the Church Year, they do not hold wedding ceremonies because, when fasting, the people should not have fun and amuse themselves.
