Fasting

[JW55]

From what reading I have done on fasting requirements in the Eastern Catholic church and the Orthodox church, it appears to be much stricter than the Latin counterpart; such as fasting every Wednesday and Friday and a number of other days, with varying requirements of no oil or fish on certain days, complete fasts on others, etc. Although I find this very admirable and these standards seem to be the recommendation, how close do most actual practicing Eastern Catholics and Orthodox really adher to these standards? My assumption is that most do not do so as strictly as this implies, but I can not find anything that gives an answer in this regard.

Forgive my ignorance in this area.

Respectfully,
JW55

 

[Milliardo]

No Orthodox would say how much do they fast, as this would be considered spiritual pride. More specifically, it is up to each person how much he fasts, and if he strictly observes the fasts. You probably won’t get much answer from either Orthodox or Eastern Catholics here, as we do not discuss even among ourselves whether we fast or not, save with our spiritual directors.

 

[Aramis]

how close do most actual practicing Eastern Catholics and Orthodox really adher to these standards?
[snip]
Forgive my ignorance in this area.

Respectfully,
JW55

Let’s look at the recent Dormition Fast.

Tradition says: No meat, dairy, nor eggs on wednesday nor friday, no meat for the whole two weeks. Reduced volume of food on wednesday and friday.

Hardliner tradition: no meat, milk, alchohol, oil, eggs throughout the fast, reduced volume of food on mon, wed, and fri. Oil allowed on sundays.

Bishop says minimum: No meat on fridays and reduced food on fridays.

My Typical observance: no meat/eggs on wednesdays, no meat/eggs on fridays, reduced volume of food on wednesdays and fridays.

My daughter’s fast observance: no meat/eggs outside of school lunches, and Smaller dinners, on both wed & fri.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

In general how one fasts in the Eastern tradition (whether Catholic or Orthodox) is something that is worked out with one’s Spiritual Father (sort of like a spiritual director, but moreso).

Deacon Ed

 

[bpbasilphx]

In the Orthodox churches, the rules for fasting and abstinence are seen as a standard to which one should do his best. If the particular rules don’t seem to apply in your case, you should discuss the matter with your confessor to see what God’s will for you this time is.

The purpose of fasting is to humble the flesh. If one has a medical condition that has already humbled it–diabetes comes to mind, but obviously there are others–the fast is mitigated to an extent. Obviously, pregnant and nursing mothers are actually forbidden to fast.

 

[JW55]

Thanks for the informative responses. I appreciate your sharing.