Byzantine Fasting

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I never could understand the full rules for fasting in the Byzantine tradition. For example, there’s the ‘black fast’ and regular fasting.

Could anybody explain the degrees of fasting, which days exclude meat, dairy, fish, oil and so on?

Thanks.
 
Among Ruthenian and Ukrainian Catholics, the “black fast” forbids the use of meat, eggs and dairy products.

The “black fast” occurs on the 1st Day of Great and Holy Lent, Great Friday and Great Saturday.

It is also practiced by some on Christmas Eve.

There are also other fasting times where the use of meat is forbidden. These are the Apostles Fast, the Dormition Fast, the Feast of the Holy Cross on Sept 14th, and the Filipovka or Christmas Fast which begins on the Feast of St. Phillip, Nov 14th.

In many areas, the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is considered a day of fasting and also fobids the use of certain vegitables such as cabbage because of it’s resemblance to a head. The use of knives and plates or platters was also forbidden on this day.

Hope this helps…
 
<<In many areas, the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is considered a day of fasting and also fobids the use of certain vegitables such as cabbage because of it’s resemblance to a head. The use of knives and plates or platters was also forbidden on this day.>>

I don’t think this was so much forbidden as much as it was a pious observance to bring home the reality of the event commemorated.
 
Only three days of black fast? I wonder if this has been moderated by dispensations of some sort. I guess the question is what is involved in full, unmitigated Orthodox fasting.
 
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

In addition to what has been said: There is no age limit on fasting. If you are alive you fast. However, if due to illness or other physical problems dispensations can be granted.

Also what are presented as fasting rules are the minimum, a person can feel free to go beyond the minimum.

Wednesdays and Fridays are traditional days of fast.

Ancient tradition held that during the Great Fast (lent) food was not eaten until after the celebration of the Presanctified Liturgy from Monday through Friday. Celebrated in the evening.

Fasting should not be done as an obligation, but out of love for God.
If you are able to refrain from the small things in life than you are better able to refrain from the large.

Yours in Christ,
Father Deacon Paul
 
Fasting should also be done with the guidance of your Spiritual Father.
 
Patchunky said:
Among Ruthenian and Ukrainian Catholics, the “black fast” forbids the use of meat, eggs and dairy products.

The “black fast” occurs on the 1st Day of Great and Holy Lent, Great Friday and Great Saturday.

It is also practiced by some on Christmas Eve.

There are also other fasting times where the use of meat is forbidden. These are the Apostles Fast, the Dormition Fast, the Feast of the Holy Cross on Sept 14th, and the Filipovka or Christmas Fast which begins on the Feast of St. Phillip, Nov 14th.

In many areas, the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is considered a day of fasting and also fobids the use of certain vegitables such as cabbage because of it’s resemblance to a head. The use of knives and plates or platters was also forbidden on this day.

Hope this helps…
Click to expand...
Dear Brother,

I would like to make a clarification. The Black Fast is eating nothing until 3 pm. This is the oldest form of fasting. It was performed on Wed and Fri.

newadvent.org/cathen/02590c.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Fast

Your Little Brother,

Volodka 😉
 
ELEUTHERIUS said:
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

In addition to what has been said: There is no age limit on fasting. If you are alive you fast. However, if due to illness or other physical problems dispensations can be granted.

Also what are presented as fasting rules are the minimum, a person can feel free to go beyond the minimum.

Wednesdays and Fridays are traditional days of fast.

Ancient tradition held that during the Great Fast (lent) food was not eaten until after the celebration of the Presanctified Liturgy from Monday through Friday. Celebrated in the evening.

Fasting should not be done as an obligation, but out of love for God.
If you are able to refrain from the small things in life than you are better able to refrain from the large.

Yours in Christ,
Father Deacon Paul
Click to expand...
CHRISTOS ROZDAJETSJA!

The Particular Law for the Byzantine Ruthenian Archeparchy of Pittsburgh says that fasting is binding for those who have reached their 21st year. It is not binding on those who have completed their 59th year.

Fasting is not binding on small children, expectant and nursing mothers, those with grave medical conditions or who have medical conditions, such as diabetis, where fasting could pose a grave medical threat.

In the tradionational homelands in Eastern and Central Europe, the “pratice” of not eating until after Presanctified Liturgy was completed was found only in monastic communities as it was impractical for the common people to do hard physical labor of their daily lives without eating…

hope this helps…
 
**
I never could understand the full rules for fasting in the Byzantine tradition. For example, there’s the ‘black fast’ and regular fasting.**

Let’s put it like this:

You MAY eat fruits, vegetables, and shellfish.
 
If you want to get down and technical, just emlinate any type of food or food product that comes into contact with ‘blood’. Then it is simple 😃
 
Pani_Rose said:
If you want to get down and technical, just emlinate any type of food or food product that comes into contact with ‘blood’. Then it is simple 😃
Click to expand...
And add in wine and olive oil for the letter of the law, or alcohol and oils for the spirit. Unless you are Russian and then you can have beer but no other alcohol.
 
If you get a chance to, make sure you get a calender from the parish you are attending. The calenders have the days to fast and what the fast requires on those days. Now is a perfect time to get one while you can because it’s still the beginning of the year.
 
Does anyone know of a website that has good Lenten recipes and menus? Thanks.
 
 
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