Eucharistic Fast of the Melkite Church

[Melkite_Sword]

Would anyone know what the Eucharistic fast is in the Melkite Catholic Church, is it one hour like the Latin Catholics? thanks!

 

[Trinityisgod]

I’m familiar with ALOT of Melkite things, but that is not something I am. Sorry

 

[RyanBlack]

I believe it is from midnight.

 

[Ziggy]

In the CCEO, the fast is whatever the norms is of the Church sui iuris. I couldn’t find anything in the Melkite Particular Law. I know that most of the lay people in the Eparchy of Newton keep at least the 1 hour fast like the Latins, but I believe the clergy do it from midnight as is tradition. So I think keeping it midnight (if you are able) or do whatever you are able.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

I was told to skip the meal before mass. Which would be breakfast for most Divine Liturgies. If it’s in the evening than you would want to skip lunch probably.

 

[Melkite_Sword]

would it be considerd a sin if you only fasted an hour before communion? thanks for your feedback guys!

 

[Melkite_Sword]

would it be considerd a sin if you only fasted an hour before communion? thanks for your feedback guys!

 

[Ziggy]

would it be considerd a sin if you only fasted an hour before communion? thanks for your feedback guys!

Well first I would talk to a priest and see if you can get clarification on the "rule’… Second, if you are doing what you can from what you know, you’re fine. But if this is weighing on your conscience, I would definitely pursue a clearer answer.

 

[5Loaves]

I agree with Ziggy. It’s best to talk with your priest.

I think starting by asking “is it a sin” is missing the focus. Fasting is for our benefit. God doesn’t’ “need” our fasting. There’s lots of good writing of the purpose of fasting. I find Fr. Schmemann’s writing about fasting very helpful.

Here is one place where his writing on fasting is available on line:

It is that of fasting period, which must precede every Eucharistic celebration. Expectation must precede fulfillment. From this point of view, the eucharistic fast is not a simple abstinence before communion, it is made primarily of expectation and spiritual preparation. It is fasting in the scriptural sense indicated above, the waiting for the sacramental Parousia.

In the early Church, the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist was preceded by a night vigil which was precisely (and theoretically still is in the Eastern Church) the service of preparation and getting ready, a vigil in the full Christian meaning of the word. And this is why the Eucharist on Sunday and on great holidays is prescribed for the early hours of the day: it is the fulfillment, the end of the vigil, of the service of fasting and preparation. But on a lesser feast, which has no vigil, the celebration of the Eucharist takes place at the end of morning, for in this case, the morning hours of fasting constitute the necessary period of preparation. Thus the whole liturgical life of the Church which, in turn determine the life of each member of the Church, is built on this rhythm of expectation and fulfillment, preparation and “presence.” And the rules that govern this rhythm cease to be archaic and incomprehensible but become signs of a path leading us to the very heart of life in the Church.

He also addresses the other component of fasting, ascetical fasting.

I love his book Great Lent: Journey to Pascha. Most of the pages of the sections on fasting are here on google books but unfortunately there are 3 or 4 pages taken out.

I love the fasting practices of the Orthodox and Eastern Churches. I feel lucky that I came into the East through the Russians because we seem to have the most rigorous fasting practices. Fasting is always done with the direction of a spiritual father and the economia that is so much a part such practices. Growing in my understanding of and use of fasting/abstinence has wonderfully changed my experience of Eucharist. The wisdom of our fasting practices is so perfect, I think, in terms of how it completely supports our living a sacramental liturgical life.

I don’t really feel guilty which I realize I’ve eaten at the wrong time or the wrong thing (unless I have willfully and arrogantly broken a fast/abstinence, which happens :sad_yes, When it just happens because I’ve not been mindful I feel deeply disappointed. I’m not sure how to talk about it-- it’s like I’ve been really looking forward to an event and then I realize I’d forgotten and it’s come and gone. I’ve lost something and there is no retrieving it. I suppose that is part of Grace that is calling me into intimacy with the Holy Trinity and I just let some of that intimacy slip by.