Rules for Lenten Fasting in the Orthodox Church
In order to help in your Lenten Fasting, the following is a brief description of the Lenten Fast in terms of categories of food and times of abstinence of foods from the various categories. The purpose of this outline of the regulations on fasting is to help educate you on fasting and abstinence in general. This is the "letter of the law" on fasting. It is important for you and your family to participate in the "spirit of the law", working this out with your family and even your priest for your salvation.
Categories of Foods
Category I: Meat and Meat Products (includes beef, pork, chicken, etc., as well as items which have beef gelatin [such as some commercial brands of gelatin], lard [some commercial breads and crackers], etc.)
Category II: Dairy Products (includes butter, eggs, milk, cheese, etc., as well as items containing dairy whey, milk extracts, etc.)
Category III: Fish (includes sardines, tuna, bass, trout, shark, pike, etc. but not shell fish such as lobster, shrimp, crab, oysters, scallops, clams, mussels, etc.)
Category IV: Olive Oil (according to some, this would extend to all oil) and Wine (which includes all alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, beer, etc.)
Foods Permitted throughout Lent: Shellfish (such as lobster, shrimp, crab, oysters, scallops, clams, mussels, etc.)
Vegetables and Vegetable products (including grains [rice, wheat, flour, pasta {non-egg pasta}, etc.] vegetable gelatins, etc.)
Fruit
Regulations on Fasting during Great Lent
Note: These are guidelines to help during the Great Lent. The importance of each fast is to focus on prayer and transformation of our spiritual man. The observance of the physical things without practicing prayer and mercy towards others is a clinging symbol before God.
Weekdays during Lent Abstinence of Categories I, II, III, & IV.
No Abstinence of Shellfish, Fruit, Vegetables and Vegetable products.
During this period, we should regulate both the amount of food we consume as well as the frequency of eating. No food should be eaten between meals, and at meal times smaller quantities than normal should be eaten.
Saturdays and Sundays during Lent (*except Great Saturday on which a strict fast is kept)
Abstinence of Categories I, II & III.
No abstinence of Category IV or of Shellfish, Fruit, Vegetables and Vegetable products. On Saturdays* and Sundays during the Great Fast, the quantity and frequency of meals is not restricted.
Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday
Abstinence of Categories I, II.
No abstinence of Category III & IV or of Shellfish, Fruit, Vegetables and Vegetable products. On these Great Feasts of the Church, the quantity and frequency of meals is not restricted.
The following are the scriptures that we will focus on during this Lent season:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Corinthians-14-20/ https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Corinthians-13-11/ https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-6-1_6-3/
These are some alterations and expansion to the foods That Are Okay for Orthodox Lent All vegetable oils All fish oils **ALL SEAFOOD** (to include fish and shellfish -such as sardines, tuna, bass, shrimp, crab, etc) Shortening containing vegetable ingredients only Margarine containing vegetable ingredients only Noodles and pasta NOT made with eggs All-natural grain flours, cornstarch, cocoa powder Rice, wheat, barley, caraway, oats, natural tapioca Hot and cold cereals like corn flakes, puffed wheat, and rice, shredded wheat, oatmeal, farina, etc. All dried fruits and vegetables All fresh and canned fruits and vegetables All dried beans, peas, and lentils All seeds, nuts and peanut butter All herbs and spices Some crackers (read the label carefully) Corn chips, potato chips, and popcorn fried in vegetable oil or shortening only Tea, coffee, cider, juices, soft drinks Jellies, jams, and preserves
The Great Lent fast begins on March 7th and end on April 24th
Please refer to our "What is Lent?" page to learn about why we fast
(https://www.livingthefaith.org/forum/christianity-forum/the-meaning-of-lent)
-This year we would like to have 2 time frames that we will focus on prayer and meditation and abstain from all categories to include fruits, vegetables, and shellfish. During this time you can say a prayer once every hour or once every 3 hours. An example of prayer would be saying Jesus' prayer.
-This will be between to two time frames that you can choose from
-6am to 12pm
-or-
-12pm to 6pm
- The scriptures that we will focus on will be added to the site tonight and I will attach the link later.