Lenten Fasting Rules 2005

Fast free week 2005 : February 20-27: All foods allowed every day.

Meat fare week 2005 : February 28- March 6: fasting Wed. & Fri. as usual

Cheesefare Week 2005 : March 7-13: No meat allowed; dairy & eggs permitted.

GREAT LENT 2005 : Beginning the MONDAY March 14 after Forgiveness Sunday, the Lenten fasting rules apply. With only a few exceptions, this means eliminating all MEAT, DAIRY AND EGGS, and FISH.

WINE (i.e., all alcohol) and OLIVE OIL are generally permitted on weekends and certain other days for major or local saints.

FISH is permitted on the feast of ANNUNCIATION, March 25^th.

HOLY WEEK :

PALM SUNDAY : Fish is permitted

HOLY THURSDAY : Wine and oil permitted

HOLY FRIDAY : Strict Fast until sundown for all with the strength to do so. For those unable to do so; at the least they should eat as little as possible, and no meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine or oil as on normal fast days

HOLY SATURDAY : wine but not oil permitted

N.B. FISH includes only fish with backbone. Shellfish (e.g., clams, mussels, oysters) and seafood (crab, lobster, shrimp) are PERMITTED THROUGHOUT LENT, just as they are on any other fast day.

From the Lenten Triodion, trans. By Bp. Kallistos and Mother Mary: “The following statement is extremely important to consider when we speak of fasting and fasting rules in the Church. “At all times it is essential to bear in mind that ‘you are not under the law but under grace’ (Rom.6:14), and that ‘the letter kills but the spirit gives life’ (2 Cor.3: 6). The rules of fasting, while they need to be taken seriously, are not to be interpreted with dour and pedantic legalism; ‘for the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Rom. 14:17).”

Whatever your practice at home, please respect the full strictness of the rules when bringing items to share for our post-liturgy meals, whether on Sundays or after Presanctified liturgies. Above all, beware of casting your eye critically on fellow members.

PRE-EUCHARISTIC fast on days of Presanctified Liturgy: as for any evening liturgy, a total fast is kept at least from noon on the day, longer for those with the strength.