Abstaining from meat and fasts in the Eastern Rites

[Yeoman]

I know what the history and rules for we Latin Catholics is regarding no meat on Fridays, fast on Good Friday and today (Ash Wednesday), and the history of that.

But it occurs to me that I do not know what the rules are for those in Eastern Rites. I know they are different, however.

So can somebody tell me what they are? And do you have a year around Friday obligation of some kind? Or one on some other day, other than Sunday?

And do the same rules that bind the Eastern Rite here also bind the Orthodox, if anyone knows, or are they different?

 

[RyanBlack]

The traditional fast for Great Lent in the Byzantine tradition (I cannot speak for other Eastern traditions) is no meat (which includes fish, but not shellfish), no eggs, no dairy products, no alcohol, no oil for the entire Lent, including Sundays. There are days during the fast when it is mitigated. For example, on Saturdays and Sundays, alcohol and oil are permitted, while on Palm Sunday and the Feast of the Annunciation (if it occurs during Lent), fish is allowed. This applies both to the Orthodox and Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition, with some variations, based on whether a Church is in the Greek tradition or the Slavic tradition.

Particular Church law is another matter. For example, the particular law of the Ruthenian Catholic Church has fasting requirements that are quite relaxed when compared to the traditional fast.

Generally speaking, Wednesdays and Fridays and fasting days throughout the year. There are some exceptions, such as Bright Week and the Twelve Days of Christmas (except that Jan. 5th, the Eve of Theophany is a day of strict fast).

 

[RyanBlack]

I would also add that the traditional fasting guidelines are often relaxed based on the health needs of the individual, or even the individual’s level of spiritual maturity. For example, a recent convert who was raised in a faith tradition with no discipline of fasting would generally not be expected to observe the traditional fast strictly.

 

[Zabdi_Premjit]

I know what the history and rules for we Latin Catholics is regarding no meat on Fridays, fast on Good Friday and today (Ash Wednesday), and the history of that.

But it occurs to me that I do not know what the rules are for those in Eastern Rites. I know they are different, however.

So can somebody tell me what they are? And do you have a year around Friday obligation of some kind? Or one on some other day, other than Sunday?

And do the same rules that bind the Eastern Rite here also bind the Orthodox, if anyone knows, or are they different?

The traditional fasting regimen for the Great Fast in the Byzantine rite, if followed strictly, entails abstinence on weekdays from meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil. Food will ideally only be eaten at the ninth hour (3pm) or later, and xerophagy (dry eating) will be practiced, which essentially means meals will consist of raw foods or boiled food that are unseasoned or seasoned only with salt.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the fast is relaxed simply abstinence from meat, dairy, and fish. No xerophagy. On the Feast of the Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) and the Annunciation, fish may be eaten.

The Great Fast begins on a Clean Monday, and lasts 40 days, ending on a Friday. The Following Saturday is Lazarus Saturday, which is a fasting day too. After Lazarus Saturday is Holy Week, which is a fasting time too. So, 40 + 1 + 7 = 48 days of fasting. Also, the week before Clean Monday is Cheesefare Week, when no meat is eaten, so it is a sort of light fast, in preparation for the Great Fast. So, 48 + 7 = 55 days of fasting.

Also, strictly speaking, on the first week of the Great Fast, called Clean Week, only water is consumed on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

That is general outline of the traditional strict fast. Most people follow a more relaxed regimen, which will vary.

 

[Zabdi_Premjit]

I know what the history and rules for we Latin Catholics is regarding no meat on Fridays, fast on Good Friday and today (Ash Wednesday), and the history of that.

But it occurs to me that I do not know what the rules are for those in Eastern Rites. I know they are different, however.

So can somebody tell me what they are? And do you have a year around Friday obligation of some kind? Or one on some other day, other than Sunday?

And do the same rules that bind the Eastern Rite here also bind the Orthodox, if anyone knows, or are they different?

We also, fast traditionally on most Wednesdays and Friday. Also, we fast on the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross, the Eve of Theophany (Epiphany), and the Feast of the Beheading of John the Forerunner.

In addition to the Great Fast (Lent), we have three other fasting periods: St. Philip’s Fast or Advent Fast (40 days before Christmas), Dormition fast (first two weeks of August), and the Apostle’s Fast (of varying length, but always ending June 29).

The Eve of Theophany (Epiphany) and the Christmas are each what is called a Paramony. On these days, it is traditional to not eat until the first star in the sky is visible.

 

[Yeoman]

Fantastic set of answers, thank you.

In thinking on this, I guess its my assumption that only Catholics and Orthodox recognize a duty to fast and abstain from meat during Lent, but perhaps I’m in error. Are we it?

 

[Yeoman]

In addition to the Great Fast (Lent), we have three other fasting periods: St. Philip’s Fast or Advent Fast (40 days before Christmas), Dormition fast (first two weeks of August), and the Apostle’s Fast (of varying length, but always ending June 29).

The Eve of Theophany (Epiphany) and the Christmas are each what is called a Paramony. On these days, it is traditional to not eat until the first star in the sky is visible.

I think at least some of the churches in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church do this as well, but I’m not completely certain. I heard an explanation on Byzantine Catholic observance of the Advent Fast in the US, but I’m not sure that I fully followed it.

 

[Zabdi_Premjit]

Fantastic set of answers, thank you.

In thinking on this, I guess its my assumption that only Catholics and Orthodox recognize a duty to fast and abstain from meat during Lent, but perhaps I’m in error. Are we it?

AFAIK, Lenten fasting is common to all four of the ancient Churches - Orthodox, Miaphysite, Catholic, and Assyrians. I believe Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutherans, while having a Lenten liturgical season, do not currently have a widespread practice of fasting or abstinence during the season.

Someone can correct me if I am mistaken.

 

[RyanBlack]

I think at least some of the churches in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church do this as well, but I’m not completely certain. I heard an explanation on Byzantine Catholic observance of the Advent Fast in the US, but I’m not sure that I fully followed it.

The Apostle’s Fast, the Dormition Fast, and St. Philip’s Fast are traditional fasting seasons in the Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition as well. As is the case with Lent, the particular law of some of the particular churches has relaxed the requirements for these fasts, or rendered them optional.

 

[Zabdi_Premjit]

I think at least some of the churches in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church do this as well, but I’m not completely certain. I heard an explanation on Byzantine Catholic observance of the Advent Fast in the US, but I’m not sure that I fully followed it.

Eastern Catholic Churches that follow the Byzantine rite will have the same fasting tradition as the Orthodox Churches. Now, the Byzantine-rite Catholic Churches may have canons specifying a minimum required fasting regimen that is far less severe than the traditional regimen, but at the end of the day, the traditional regimen is an ideal. In practice, what is actually done is flexible, according to the local Bishop’s judgment, local custom, the advice of the spiritual father, individual ability, etc.

 

[Zabdi_Premjit]

The Apostle’s Fast, the Dormition Fast, and St. Philip’s Fast are traditional fasting seasons in the Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine tradition as well. As is the case with Lent, the particular law of some of the particular churches has relaxed the requirements for these fasts, or rendered them optional.

Out of curiosity, have you noticed any difference in actual praxis between Churches that have declared a fast optional and Churches that have not? Is there a noticeable difference in how many people undergo the traditional practices?

 

[RyanBlack]

Out of curiosity, have you noticed any difference in actual praxis between Churches that have declared a fast optional and Churches that have not? Is there a noticeable difference in how many people undergo the traditional practices?

I live in an area with very few Eastern Catholics, and never visit areas with large numbers of Eastern Catholics, so I can’t really respond to your question. My guess is that those particular Churches where fasts have not been declared optional have more people actually observing the fasts, but I can’t say based on actual experience.

 

[Thomas48]

For Syro Malabar Catholics, lent begins as the Great Fast on Clean Monday.

Traditions Include:
-No meat on Fridays
-Fasting on Good Friday
-Passover celebration on Holy Thursday for Knanayas and Traditional St. Thomas Christians

Pesaha or Passover, includes making special unleavened bread called Indri Appam and also a special syrup/milk made of jaggery. Palm leaves from palm sunday are placed in the shape of the cross on the bread and milk. At night after the Holy Thursday Qurbana, the family joins together and the head of the household blesses the Pesaha bread and milk and will often read a parable from the Old Testament. After this the head, most likely father or grandfather, cuts the bread into portions and pours the milk into cups. In age descending order the head passes out the portions and everyone eats and drinks the Passover meal (many people dip the bread into the milk). This tradition is so sacred that anything that touched the bread/milk such as foil is burned away and any cups/plates used are washed immediately afterword. The Pesaha bread and milk are the only things eaten until the Easter Qurbana.

 

[Zabdi_Premjit]

For Syro Malabar Catholics, lent begins as the Great Fast on Clean Monday.

Traditions Include:
-No meat on Fridays
-Fasting on Good Friday
-Passover celebration on Holy Thursday for Knanayas and Traditional St. Thomas Christians

Pesaha or Passover, includes making special unleavened bread called Indri Appam and also a special syrup/milk made of jaggery. Palm leaves from palm sunday are placed in the shape of the cross on the bread and milk. At night after the Holy Thursday Qurbana, the family joins together and the head of the household blesses the Pesaha bread and milk and will often read a parable from the Old Testament. After this the head, most likely father or grandfather, cuts the bread into portions and pours the milk into cups. In age descending order the head passes out the portions and everyone eats and drinks the Passover meal (many people dip the bread into the milk). This tradition is so sacred that anything that touched the bread/milk such as foil is burned away and any cups/plates used are washed immediately afterword. The Pesaha bread and milk are the only things eaten until the Easter Qurbana.

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Do you just eat it on Holy Thursday and then fast from all food till Pascha? Or do you eat portions of it on Holy Friday and Holy Saturday too?

 

[AKDee]

Fantastic set of answers, thank you.

In thinking on this, I guess its my assumption that only Catholics and Orthodox recognize a duty to fast and abstain from meat during Lent, but perhaps I’m in error. Are we it?

No, I think fasting is observed in many faiths. For Lent one of the books I’m reading is called “A place at the table: 40 days of solidarity with the poor” and has daily readings for the 40 days of fasting. Interestingly, it’s written by a Baptist preacher but he specifically recommends this program for Lent and even quotes the early Church fathers re fasting.

 

[Thomas48]

Do you just eat it on Holy Thursday and then fast from all food till Pascha? Or do you eat portions of it on Holy Friday and Holy Saturday too?

Depends on the family, we will eat it for breakfast on Good Friday and fast the rest of the day and eat it again after the night Qurbana. Fasting is not required on Holy Saturday but we will only eat the Pesaha preparations. On Easter morning the Pesaha bread and milk are eaten for breakfast and completly finished. After the Easter Qurbana there is usually a great feast of an assortment of food.