Eastern Fasting Rules - what to eat?

[Allyson]

Thanks!

Do you usually use all-purpose, bread, or whole wheat? or do you mix it up?

I like the idea of adding spices. Do you ever add raisins?

Rosemary

 

[Aramis]

Thanks!

Do you usually use all-purpose, bread, or whole wheat? or do you mix it up?

I like the idea of adding spices. Do you ever add raisins?

Rosemary

I used all purpose, but bread or whole wheat should work just fine as well. I don’t like raisins in bread… they create leaky spots that the marmalade falls through.

I’ve added cinnamon and honey.

 

[Allyson]

I used all purpose, but bread or whole wheat should work just fine as well. I don’t like raisins in bread… they create leaky spots that the marmalade falls through.

I’ve added cinnamon and honey.

Usually my parish has plain bread for blessed bread on Sundays after Feasts, but usually once a year or so there are raisins with cinnamon. Of course, no one is adding marmalade.

 

[theweeper]

Thanks for defending this possition.

In my opinion, having set requirements or rules for us spiritually is not any different than the rules that help us physically.

If one is sick and the doctor says to take an antibiodic 3 times a day; then this is what is necessary for one’s physical health. Sure the person might have figured out how to stay healthy on his own and accomplish the same thing but the rules of taking the antibiodic is a tremendous help to the person. If one decides not to follow the rules and take the antibiodics accordingly then there might be negative consequences.

Similarly, we all can probably find ways to stay spiritually healty and do our own devotions. However, the set rules which would include minimum fasting regulations or Holy days of Obligation are a tremendous help to us spiritually. If we do not follow the rules then there likewise might be negative consequences spiritually.

also good and true. thanks.

it might be good to note that even with physical health and antibiodics. a doctor should aways be consulted. he sometimes adjusts the doseage according to the individual’s needs at that time. while there are set rules. it isnt the rules themselves that heal. the cure is a combination of medicine administered by the doctor according to his guidence.
right?

 

[KathleenElsie]

Something I just read. I am still Latin. Worship Byzantine most of the time.

Also a note of fish: It is Latin to eat fish is not considered meat. In the Byzantine and Orthodox (correct me if I am wrong) Fish with a backbone usually is considered meat, however shellfish, crabs and lobster traditionally were (and still are) exempt from the Fast probably since only the poor would eat these bottom scavengers. It could have been this way so as not to overburden the poor with strict fast rules.
source if from* The Lenten Triodion pages 35-37*

 

[Jimzz12]

Hi all,

Although I’m a Western Catholic, I’m going to try to fast according to the Eastern rules this Lent (vegan, no oil, etc.)

I’m usually vegetarian, so giving up meat not an option. I gave up fish, eggs and dairy products last Lent and it didn’t kill me, so figure I should go the whole way this year.

What exactly can or can’t you eat as an Eastern Catholic keeping Lent? Do most Eastern Catholics actually keep the strict fasting, or get a dispensation from a priest? Any ideas how best to keep it? Recipes also welcome.

Thanks so much for your help.

DL

I know it is Church Law that you are to break your fast on Sundays and Solemnities. These days are not considered part of Lent as they celebrate the Resurrection. I do the whole black fast, except I eat oil. If I am given something out of charity like I will accept it because charity is always paramount. Accepting charity let’s someone be charitable and let’s us be humble to accept charity. Now if it’s a big steak dinner and glass of whiskey that’s a different story. Accept charity within bounds. The same logic applies to sundays and solemnities.

I accepted bacon, eggs, buttered toast, and glass of milk from my mom today (sunday breakfast). Even trappists eat dairy products on sunday.

 

[codebilly]

Hi all,

Although I’m a Western Catholic, I’m going to try to fast according to the Eastern rules this Lent (vegan, no oil, etc.)

I’m usually vegetarian, so giving up meat not an option. I gave up fish, eggs and dairy products last Lent and it didn’t kill me, so figure I should go the whole way this year.

What exactly can or can’t you eat as an Eastern Catholic keeping Lent? Do most Eastern Catholics actually keep the strict fasting, or get a dispensation from a priest? Any ideas how best to keep it? Recipes also welcome.

Thanks so much for your help.

DL

In simplest terms: “Nothing from the animal”. Historically this also meant fish.

 

[Allyson]

I know it is Church Law that you are to break your fast on Sundays and Solemnities. These days are not considered part of Lent as they celebrate the Resurrection.

Question for anyone: I grew up Latin, and I knew it to be the case in Latin Church Law. Is this true in the particular law of the other Churches of the Catholic Communion?

I do the whole black fast, except I eat oil. If I am given something out of charity like I will accept it because charity is always paramount. Accepting charity let’s someone be charitable and let’s us be humble to accept charity. Now if it’s a big steak dinner and glass of whiskey that’s a different story. Accept charity within bounds. The same logic applies to sundays and solemnities.

I accepted bacon, eggs, buttered toast, and glass of milk from my mom today (sunday breakfast). Even trappists eat dairy products on sunday.

I concur. I am living at home, and while I might attempt one day to do a strict fast through all of Lent, it is not feasible now. 1. My Mom is not Catholic, but more importantly, 2. She has Type 1 diabetes, and is required to be on a low-carb diet. At one time she would have been on board - she loves beans an other vegetarian dishes. Since she loves fish, there’s no problem there . She is very accommodating, but I will only ask so much,

God Bless,
Rosemary

 

[wjp984]

Something I just read. I am still Latin. Worship Byzantine most of the time.

Also a note of fish: It is Latin to eat fish is not considered meat. In the Byzantine and Orthodox (correct me if I am wrong) Fish with a backbone usually is considered meat, however shellfish, crabs and lobster traditionally were (and still are) exempt from the Fast probably since only the poor would eat these bottom scavengers. It could have been this way so as not to overburden the poor with strict fast rules.
source if from* The Lenten Triodion pages 35-37*

Was there really a time when lobster and shellfish were cheap? Sure seems like a rich man’s food to me. Oh, and some of the Eastern Catholic rites such as the Ruthenian rite, allow fish, well at least the diocese in the U.S. does.

 

[samcarter14]

Was there really a time when lobster and shellfish were cheap? Sure seems like a rich man’s food to me. Oh, and some of the Eastern Catholic rites such as the Ruthenian rite, allow fish, well at least the diocese in the U.S. does.

Yes, lobster and shrimp and such were seen as “poor man’s food”. They were considered bottom-feeding fish (which they are, and you will never get me to eat lobster, ever, now that I know they are zoologically related to cockroaches). Of course, depending on the country in which a particular Rite of the Eastern Church developed, shellfish may not be a part of the allowed foods, because it was never part of the diet among any of the peoples.

During colonial times in America, lobster was so plentiful that it was shunned by the rich. Until people started moving inland and lobster was harder to obtain unless you could afford fancy refrigeration. Then it became a luxury food.

There are some that argue that because shellfish IS a luxury food now, it violates the spirit of the fast. I say it’s a good option to have should you find yourself at a restaurant during Lent and the only thing that isn’t meat or dairy happens to be shrimp. Or you’re at a friend’s house and they’re serving surf n’ turf. (Which, yuck.) But I wouldn’t deliberately go to Red Lobster once a week during Lent, just because shellfish is allowed.

 

[Euphemia]

I am a cradle Roman Catholic covert to Eastern Orthodoxy (oca). My understanding of the suggested rule for fasting during Great Lent is as follows: The week before lent no meat (beef, chicken, fish) all else is allowed.
Monday of the first week Clean Monday no food or drink except water. Tuesday no food or drink except water. Wed. no food or drink until after pre-scanctified liturgy, then only raw fruit or veggies. Thurs. and Fri. the same. Then the regular fast begins. No meat, fish, dairy, olive oil or wine Mon- Friday. Weekends oils and wine is ok. Fish is allowed on the Feast of the Annunciation and Palm Sunday as are oil and wine. Fish with no backbone is always allowed during regular fasting. Clams, mussels, scallops and squid along with shrimp and lobster. In most circles wine also means beer and hard liquior. In some olive oil also means all oils. Fasting is done in conjuction with an increase in your prayer rule and attending services and almsgiving. One done without the others is done in vain. Children, the elderly and the infirmed are exempt from the fast and with a blessing from your priest or spiritual father you can tweek the fast to suit your situation be it for health, family or some other reason. Most are warned not to “read food labels” or to tell people you are fasting and refuse to eat what is served to you in hospitality,. since food has little to do with the spirit of the Great Fast. Hope this helps.

 

[Allyson]

Was there really a time when lobster and shellfish were cheap? Sure seems like a rich man’s food to me. Oh, and some of the Eastern Catholic rites such as the Ruthenian rite, allow fish, well at least the diocese in the U.S. does.

In addition to what samcarter said. Even not so long ago - the 1960’s - when my dad was in graduate school in upstate NY, Lobster (and Steak) were $1.00 a pound, and proportionally more affordable on a grad school budget than it is now.

 

[Madaglan]

In addition to what samcarter said. Even not so long ago - the 1960’s - when my dad was in graduate school in upstate NY, Lobster (and Steak) were $1.00 a pound, and proportionally more affordable on a grad school budget than it is now.

You can still get double cheeseburger for a’dollar at Mickey D’s

It’s kinda like steak.

 

[Allyson]

You can still get double cheeseburger for a’dollar at Mickey D’s

It’s kinda like steak.

Now, that is penitential!

 

[Logic101]

The most pleasing fast to our Lord:

1. Avoiding occasions of sin.
2. Fight the next bad habit or attachment to a venial sin!
3. Act’s of Charity toward God and your neighbor in thought, word and deed. (Infused virtue of Charity is sufficient for it produces affections of love toward God and your neighbor. Your part is only in the will, each virtue comes from the will; so listen to God what he want and inspires you to do).

 

[JesusforMadrid]

I am a cradle Roman Catholic covert to Eastern Orthodoxy (oca). My understanding of the suggested rule for fasting during Great Lent is as follows: The week before lent no meat (beef, chicken, fish) all else is allowed.
Monday of the first week Clean Monday no food or drink except water. Tuesday no food or drink except water. Wed. no food or drink until after pre-scanctified liturgy, then only raw fruit or veggies. Thurs. and Fri. the same. Then the regular fast begins. No meat, fish, dairy, olive oil or wine Mon- Friday. Weekends oils and wine is ok. Fish is allowed on the Feast of the Annunciation and Palm Sunday as are oil and wine. Fish with no backbone is always allowed during regular fasting. Clams, mussels, scallops and squid along with shrimp and lobster. In most circles wine also means beer and hard liquior. In some olive oil also means all oils. Fasting is done in conjuction with an increase in your prayer rule and attending services and almsgiving. One done without the others is done in vain. Children, the elderly and the infirmed are exempt from the fast and with a blessing from your priest or spiritual father you can tweek the fast to suit your situation be it for health, family or some other reason. Most are warned not to “read food labels” or to tell people you are fasting and refuse to eat what is served to you in hospitality,. since food has little to do with the spirit of the Great Fast. Hope this helps.

Thank you for this.
Eastern fasting is one of the most attractive practices of Eastern Christianity.

Christianity without fasting makes about as much sense as Christianity without prayer.

 

[Alveus_Lacuna]

I really thought that Eastern Catholic (Byzantine) fasting norms would match the Greek and Russian Orthodox rules. I am quite surprised that the basic rules are no meat two days a week, with fish, when the Orthodox have no meat for the whole 50 days or so, with fish only being allowed on weekends. They are almost totally different. Is this manner of fasting considered a “Latinization?”

 

[ciero]

I really thought that Eastern Catholic (Byzantine) fasting norms would match the Greek and Russian Orthodox rules. I am quite surprised that the basic rules are no meat two days a week, with fish, when the Orthodox have no meat for the whole 50 days or so, with fish only being allowed on weekends. They are almost totally different. Is this manner of fasting considered a “Latinization?”

First off; the Orthodox do not allow fish on weekends, fish is allowed only on Anunciation and Palm Sunday.

I don’t understand what’s up with the Byzantine Catholic fasting regulations. Rome keeps telling us to do no different then the Orthodox, then our bishops keep dumbing things down. Do our bishops think we can’t handle the real thing? It’s the same thing with our liturgy, keep dumbing it down. Saturday evening liturgy, no Vespers or Mattins, no fasting, I don’t get it. Why aren’t the traditions encouraged. I think it will take the current generation of priests and bishops to die off.

Abbot Nicholas of Holy Resurrection Monastery has a great article on the monastery’s website.

Holy Resurrection Monastery

Official Website of Holy Resurrection Monastery, A Byzantine Catholic Monastery in Union with Rome.

hrmonline.org

It is an address he gave at an Orientale Lumen conference a few years ago.

 

[malphono]

I don’t understand what’s up with the Byzantine Catholic fasting regulations. Rome keeps telling us to do no different then the Orthodox, then our bishops keep dumbing things down. Do our bishops think we can’t handle the real thing? It’s the same thing with our liturgy, keep dumbing it down. Saturday evening liturgy, no Vespers or Mattins, no fasting, I don’t get it. Why aren’t the traditions encouraged. I think it will take the current generation of priests and bishops to die off.

This is yet another example of what I have come to call Novus Ordo-inspired neo-latinization. They Byzantines are not as affected by that phenomenon as much as many of the Orientals, but affected they are nonetheless.

 

[ciero]

This is yet another example of what I have come to call Novus Ordo-inspired neo-latinization. They Byzantines are not as affected by that phenomenon as much as many of the Orientals, but affected they are nonetheless.

I find it quite disheartening!