Eastern Fasting Regulations

Since I often have to look up the fasting regulations in the Byzantine Church, I thought I’d do a quick post on my own blog so I know where to find them…

Fasting Seasons

The Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church sui juris of Pittsburgh observes the following four seasonable observances:

1. The Philip’s Fast
The forty day fasting period, November 15th – December 24th

2. The Apostles Fast
The 8-42 fasting days between the Monday after All Saint’s Sunday and June 28th.

3. The Dormition Fast
The fourteen day period between August 1st-14th.

4. The Great Fast
The forty day fasting period from Pure Monday to Palm Friday (which is then extended through to Holy Saturday).

Kinds of Fasts

Simple Fast

No meat or meat products. Eggs and dairy allowed. It is required on:

• Wednesdays of the Great Fast.
• All Fridays of the year, except during major celebratory periods:
  • The week following the Publican & Pharisee
  • Bright Week
  • Pentecost Week
  • The Feast of the Nativity
  • …or any major Feast of the Lord or Theotokos which falls on a Friday

Strict Fast

No meat, eggs or dairy. It is required on Clean Monday and Good Friday.

Dispensations

1. Expectant and nursing mothers
2. Infants
3. Those in poor health