The Wednesday fast is done
in remembrance of the betrayal of Christ by Judas on Spy Wednesday
, while the Friday fast is done in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday.
How do Orthodox fast on Wednesday and Friday?
Orthodox Christian holy books recommend a
total of 180–200 days of fasting per year
. The faithful are advised to avoid olive oil, meat, fish, milk and dairy products every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year. … During Lent fish is allowed only two days whereas meat, dairy products and eggs are not allowed.
Why do Orthodox fast on Wednesday and Friday?
Every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year are observed as fast days,
Wednesday in observance of the decision of the Sanhedrin, in collaboration with Judas Iscariot
, to betray and kill Jesus before the feast of Pesach, and Friday in observance of the Passion of Jesus.
Why do Orthodox Christians fast so much?
Why do we fast in the Orthodox Church? The answer is very simple.
We fast because Christ fasted! Our Lord fasted for 40 days in the desert
.
Why do Orthodox fast for 40 days?
The 40-day fasting period otherwise known as Christmas Lent is when the Greek Orthodox Church
gives the faithful periods of fasting and reflection in order to refocus on the spiritual life, to challenge them and to help them make adjustments
, as they experience the Holy Nativity of our Lord and Saviour in a real and …
Why is olive oil not allowed during Lent?
There are plenty of high-protein choices on the menu. But during Lent, many of those items are a no-no. Besides the ban on meat and dairy,
Eastern Orthodox faithful abstain from olive oil
during Lent, a tradition that began centuries ago when the oil was stored in sheep’s skin.
What are the fasting rules for Lent?
On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent:
Everyone of age 14 and up must abstain from consuming meat
. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Everyone of age 18 to 59 must fast, unless exempt due to usually a medical reason.
What do you eat on Orthodox fast days?
Orthodox Fasting (“Nistia”)
Fasting entails
abstinence from meat, dairy products and fish
– but not shellfish. There is also the strict fast, which is practiced on certain days of the year, where there is also abstinence from oil.
What do Orthodox fast from during Lent?
Fasting and Abstinence
For Orthodox Christians, who follow the Julian calendar, the Great Lent is more strict, as the faithful are expected to abstain from
meat, meat by-products, poultry, eggs, and dairy products
for the entire Lenten period.
What can Orthodox eat on Good Friday?
The Holy Tradition (written and oral) of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church, while advising avoidance of
olive oil, meat, fish, milk, and dairy products
every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year, additionally includes four principal fasting periods per year when meat as well as dairy products and eggs are …
Is Honey allowed during Orthodox Lent?
In fact, it has to do more that their blood being blue rather than red, due to the hemocyanin. Allowed: beans, vegetables, bread, fruit, honey, nut butters, rice… pasta (no egg noodles), cereals, olive oil, honey, and basically anything that does not contain animal products with exception of certain seafood.
Can Orthodox drink alcohol?
The fasting rules of the
Orthodox Church forbid the consumption of wine (and by extension, all alcoholic beverages) on most fast days throughout the year
. The Orthodox celebrate St. … “Of course, no events have been found in the life of the saint that show a special relationship among him and vineyard or wine.”
Can you drink milk during Lent?
What to Eat During Lent. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics fast, meaning they eat less than usual. … During these days, it is not acceptable to eat lamb, chicken, beef, pork, ham, deer and most other meats. However,
eggs, milk, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables are all allowed
.
Why is Orthodox Lent 48 days?
The Great Lent in the Orthodox tradition consists of two parts: The Great Forty Days and the Holy Week. The Great Forty Days are the first forty days of Lent, the time of strict abstinence. This period is set in
memory of the forty days that Jesus Christ spent in the desert in fasting and prayers
.
Why do Greek Orthodox fast for 40 days before Easter?
There is a strong biblical base for fasting, particularly during the 40 days of Lent leading to the celebration of Easter.
Jesus, as part of his spiritual preparation, went into the wilderness and fasted
40 days and 40 nights, according to the Gospels.
What does Bible say about Ash Wednesday?
A: That’s true;
there is no mention of Ash Wednesday in the Bible
. But there is a tradition of donning ashes as a sign of penitence that predates Jesus. In the Old Testament, Job repents “in dust and ashes,” and there are other associations of ashes and repentance in Esther, Samuel, Isaiah and Jeremiah.
