are fasts observed in the Church of Rome, and by other ecclesiastical bodies, among them the Church of England. According to Jewish custom, the four seasons of the year were observed as occasions for fasting. These were the four fast-weeks: one after Ash-Wednesday, Pentecost, the Crucifixion (Sept. 14), and after Lucia (Dec. 13). The fast-days were Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Wednesday was the day on which the quarterly offerings were brought, and it was principally called Quatember- day. In the German Protestant Church these fasts were for a long time observed also.