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Monica4316
Guest
On days of full abstinence from food, do drinks not count? (So like for Monday when Lent starts, Good Friday)… Thanks!
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M
Monica4316
Guest
I also read that in the East, in addition to the food restrictions, they also fast every weekday by eating only one meal… Is this true? And is it just the one meal, or meal and two small snacks?
(If this is significant, I’m Russian Catholic)
(If this is significant, I’m Russian Catholic)
J
JRS_88
Guest
I can’t speak for how the other Eastern Churches handle liquids. This is coming from a Maronite perspective. If I am wrong I’m sure I will be corrected, and so much the better because it is important that correct information is presented.
I was taught that water doesn’t break the fast. You can drink water at any time. Many people have to take medicine so water is ok.
Further, I was taught to not drink any flavored drinks, like soda pop, juice, coffee, tea, etc throughout Lent. Also milk was not to be consumed because it is a dairy product. But, I come from a rather strict Maronite family.
N
Neofight
Guest
Lent starts on Wednesday, not on Monday…only two mandated fast days are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
J
JRS_88
Guest
Not every Catholic is a Roman/Latin rite Catholic. Eastern Catholic Churches start Great Lent today. Most call it Clean Monday, or to a lesser degree Ash Monday. Each Eastern Catholic Church has it’s own prescription for fasting and abstinence.
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Neofight
Guest
Yep, you’re right…OP indicated they are a Russian Catholic, so Lent would be observed from Clean Monday…my bad…thanks for point ing that out.
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Vico
Guest
There is what the Church sui iuris has established as a minimum standard for a particular territory, and then there are various traditional practices. Some of these traditional practices are for monastics because those that labor for a living could not do their work and also be so austere.
The traditional start of Great Lent is for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, to eat no solid food and another variation is dry foods: fruit, nuts, halva, bread, honey, etc. A third variation is not to eat during the day (sunshine) hours. Some fast for three days from all food and drink, until receipt of the Holy Eucharist on Wednesday pre-sanctified.
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Monica4316
Guest
I see! Two questions as I figure this out…
Do we then limit food to one meal and two snacks on weekdays in addition to the abstinence? I’m sorry I couldn’t figure that out from the replies…
And if there’s no oil, is it ok if bread has oil? Cause most of it does… As long as we don’t put oil on it?
Do we then limit food to one meal and two snacks on weekdays in addition to the abstinence? I’m sorry I couldn’t figure that out from the replies…
And if there’s no oil, is it ok if bread has oil? Cause most of it does… As long as we don’t put oil on it?
V
Vico
Guest
It all depends upon which rules you are applying and may get applied with advice from the pastor (spiritual adviser).
Generally Great Lent and Holy Week fasting is from midnight until the Divine Liturgy or Pre-sanctified Gifts (Vespers).
Traditional abstinence involves meat, fish, wine, oil, eggs, and dairy products, and varies with the day of the week and the penitential season, and there are some weeks with no fast or abstinence.
Take a look at this Russian Catholic parish site, on fasting:
byzantinecatholic.org/feastsandfasts/lentenfast.php
It states there: “Recall, however, that fasting from food is secondary: First fast from sin, aided by the awareness of the season that avoiding certain foods brings. Pray more regularly, and do extra works of charity, or of kindness. Fast as well as you can, and prepare for Pascha!”
If you are trying to use the traditional practice of the Russian Orthodox, then it is complex as can be see here:
holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/
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wynd
Guest
Don’t be too obsessive about it. For people new to Eastern fasting, the common advice I hear is “if you can’t see it, it’s not there.” Or, if you really want to read labels, if it’s not in the first three (or four, or five) ingredients it’s too small to worry about.
The idea being that one can get totally wrapped up in reading labels, looking up words and what flavorings could be fasting or non-fasting, and lose the spiritual meaning of the fast. It’s not a clean/unclean dietary restriction, it’s to help you grow closer to Christ.
A
angelic06
Guest
Reminder: This is an Eastern Catholic thread. Not all Catholics are of the Latin, or more commonly known as the Roman rite. Their fasting customs are different from ours (Roman).
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Monica4316
Guest
Thanks for the replies! I was reading labels 
Just to clarify if the fast is till Vespers or Liturgy does that mean that every day Monday to Friday you don’t eat till Vespers? No snacks or anything?
Just to clarify if the fast is till Vespers or Liturgy does that mean that every day Monday to Friday you don’t eat till Vespers? No snacks or anything?
M
Monica4316
Guest
I just read the article linked above and it seems that yes its one meal a day with no animal products… So now I have more questions just from that sorry!!
Can you drink anything other times?
Is this only for the weekdays?
Is Vespers around 5 30 just like in the West?
What if you are visiting family who cook for you and are not following the fast for whatever reason? Will it be a sin to eat what you are given?
What if you’re finding it hard to work? I often have low energy working even with normal food… I’m kind of concerned I’ll be too weak to keep going with this? Especially because the meal can’t even have oil.
Can you drink anything other times?
Is this only for the weekdays?
Is Vespers around 5 30 just like in the West?
What if you are visiting family who cook for you and are not following the fast for whatever reason? Will it be a sin to eat what you are given?
What if you’re finding it hard to work? I often have low energy working even with normal food… I’m kind of concerned I’ll be too weak to keep going with this? Especially because the meal can’t even have oil.
M
Monica4316
Guest
Also on the weekend do you eat your usual two or three meals with oil or shellfish?
I’m sorry I have so many questions! I didn’t know all of this and I see I was doing it wrong before cause I didn’t have just one meal but regular amount just no animal products.
I’m sorry I have so many questions! I didn’t know all of this and I see I was doing it wrong before cause I didn’t have just one meal but regular amount just no animal products.
M
Monica4316
Guest
Also, sorry I don’t really understand, on strict fast days when its bread vegetables and fruit, are the vegetables cooked? How is it different from no oil days on Tuesday and Thursday?
Am I understanding it correctly that on Tuesday and Thursday you can have things like rice or soup but not the other days? But can the vegetables be cooked or as a salad? Thanks!
Am I understanding it correctly that on Tuesday and Thursday you can have things like rice or soup but not the other days? But can the vegetables be cooked or as a salad? Thanks!
V
Vico
Guest
It depends on what rules you want use. The traditional practice is in varying degrees but when the fast is done until Pre-sanctified it is on those days that have it, except for a few special cases on other days without. The days with Pre-Sanctified are Wednesday and Friday throughout Great Lent. Here are some examples:Thanks for the replies! I was reading labels
Just to clarify if the fast is till Vespers or Liturgy does that mean that every day Monday to Friday you don’t eat till Vespers? No snacks or anything?
**First Week:Mo = A (Pure Monday)
Tu = A
We = B
Th = A
Fr = B
Sa = D
Middle Weeks:
Su = D
Mo = B
Tu = B
We = B
Th = B
Fr = B
Sa = DHoly Week:**Su = D (Flowery Sunday)
Mo = B
Tu = B
We = B
Th = C
Fr = A (Good Friday)
Sa = A
**Strictest Rule (no meat, eggs, dairy, oil, wine, fish):**A = No meals
B = One meal, fast until pre-sanctified on W/F
C = One meal, wine and oil ok
D = Two meals, wine and oil ok on Sat, Sun, eucharistic liturgy
Fish is permitted on the feast of the Annunciation and Flowery Sunday
**Easiest Rule:**Pure Monday and Good Friday - no meat, eggs, dairy
Wednesdays and Fridays - no meat
W
wynd
Guest
Calling attention to your fast by making your family have to prepare special food for you is worse than breaking it.
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