The Ember Days in the Church

In the Western church, the ember days were typically observed every week. Once this practice died out, it was maintained at the beginning of every season, often in connection with the sowing, reaping, and vintage, the winter fast being added later. Leo the Great (c. 440) refers to these holy days in Rome. While the Roman heathens praised their gods during these seasons, the Christian response was to give rightful worship to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost–the One from “whom are all things and for whom we exist” (1 Cor. 8:6). The practice was brought to England by St. Augustine of Canterbury.

Reflecting and in support of this liturgical practice, in 813 AD, the Council of Mainz ordered a fast on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays of the first week of March, the second week in June, the third week in September, and the last full week before Christmas. Having spread throughout the West, they were established as fasts of the seasons, leading them to be considered suitable for Ordinations. There are even special Collects for those to be ordained and appointed for the whole of the Ember weeks.