Ember Days - 3 days at the start of each season
Written by Anne Newman Thursday, 14 March 2019
Ember Days In 2023:
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Ember days occur four times a year at the start of each season.
In Latin these days are referred to as Jejunia quatuor tempora (the fast of the fourseasons), while in English they became known as “Ember Days”(from a corruption of the Latin word tempora).
Traditionally observed by some Christian denominations, each set of Ember Days is three days, kept on a successive Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. This year (2019) the Spring Ember Days fall on March 13, 15 and 16. These three days are set apart for fasting, abstinence and prayer.
They were introduced to thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation, and to assist the needy.
Historically, ancient cultures were bound to the land and members of pagan religions would invoke their gods for protection over their crops. This was the case in Rome and so, when the early Christians began converting pagans, they decided to sanctify these agricultural rituals to turn their hearts to the one true God.
Fasting four times a year was also a tradition adopted from the Old Testament.
- after the Feast of the Holy Cross.
- after the Feast of St. Lucia.
- after the First Sunday in Lent.
- fourth and last set comes after Whitsunday / Pentecost Sunday.
The Ember Days began on the Wednesday immediately following those days.
Their dates can be remembered by this old mnemonic:
“Sant Crux, Lucia, Cineres,Charismata Dia Ut sit in angaria quarta sequens feria.”
Which means:
“Holy Cross, Lucy, Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, are when the quarter holidays follow.”
Or in an old Englishrhyme
"Fasting days and Emberings be Lent, Whitsun, Holyrood, and Lucie."
"Lenty, Penty,Crucy, Lucy"
is a shorter mnemonic for when they fall.
The weather of: Wednesday of Advent Embertide Friday of Advent Embertide Saturday of Advent Embertide Wednesday of Lenten Embertide Friday of Lenten Embertide Saturday of Lenten Embertide Wednesday of Whit Embertide Friday of Whit Embertide Saturday of Whit Embertide Wednesday of Michaelmas Embertide Friday of Michaelmas Embertide Saturday of Michaelmas Embertide | foretells the weather of: January February March April May June July August September October November December |
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Anne is sharing a series of Notable Dates and Festivals throughout the year - you can find them listed by clicking to the link here.
