Regulations on Fasting



 
Weeks or Days
The Holy Canons Specify the Following
From Sundown on Cheese Fare Sunday to Pascha.  In 2000, this will be from sundown on February 27 until the Feast following the Pascha service which begins at 11:00 pm on April 22.
Abstinence of: No Abstinence of:
Meat, meat products, dairy products, fish, olive oil, and wine. Shellfish, fruit, vegetables, and vegetable products.

During this period, Orthodox Christians regulate both the amount of food they consume and the number of times per day they eat.  In other words, NO food should be eaten between meals and at meal time only a small portion of food should be eaten.
Saturdays* and Sundays throughout the Great Fast

(*All but Great Saturday on which a strict fast is kept)

Abstinence of: No Abstinence of:
Meat, meat products, dairy products, and fish. Shellfish, fruit, vegetables, vegetable products, olive oil, and wine.
On Saturdays* and Sundays during the Great Fast the quantity and the number of times food may be consumed is not regulated. 

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