What are the fasting days in the Orthodox Church?
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.
How long do Orthodox fast before Communion?
one hour
Can. 919: §1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.
What is an orthodox strict fast?
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.
Why do we fast on Wednesday and Friday Orthodox?
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.
Is it a mortal sin to break the Eucharistic fast?
Is it a mortal sin to break the Eucharistic Fast? No. When we failed to fast, it does not mean that we are in a state of mortal sin. This should be remembered because it could reduce the pressure for the OCD individuals thus reducing also the obsession attached to Eucharistic fast.
What is the purpose of Orthodox fasting?
Through fasting, Orthodox Christians also avoid the danger of abdominal “deification” (see Philippians 3:19) and therefore, protect their body from passions of the flesh, aroused mainly by gluttony and resulting in overeating (polyphagia or hyperphagia).
How do you fast on Friday and Wednesday?
Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with only one simple meal during the day, usually without meat. Refrain from eating meat (bloody foods) on all Fridays in Lent, substituting fish for example. Eliminate a food or food group for the entire season. Especially consider saving rich and fatty foods for Easter.
Can I drink coffee before Eucharist?
A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.
What breaks the Eucharistic fast?
To add, to break the fast, you must intentionally choose to eat or drink past an hour before receiving the Eucharist. So if accidentally, raindrops fall into your mouth, rest assured that you can still receive Communion.
Why do we fast on Wednesday and Friday orthodox?
What can Greek Orthodox eat when fasting?
In all traditional Greek Orthodox fasting periods, meat, dairy products and fish (except shellfish) are not eaten at all. Vegetables, cereals, legumes like chickpeas and lentils as well as fruits are allowed all year and not surprisingly, the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world!
What are feasts in the Orthodox Church calendar?
Passages of Holy Scripture, saints and events for commemoration are associated with each date, as are many times special rules for fasting or feasting that correspond to the day of the week or time of year in relationship to the major feast days . There are two types of feasts in the Orthodox Church calendar: fixed and movable.
What are the Holy Days in the Orthodox Church?
Holy Days in the Orthodox Church The ecclesiastical year, which according to Byzantine practice begins on the first of September, is divided between movable and immovable or fixed holy days. The movable holy days are determined by the date of Easter – the most important of all feast days -, which is in a class by itself.
Why are there two calendars in the Orthodox Church?
Religious Calendar: History and Development Within the Orthodox Church feast days and fast days are reckoned according to two distinct calendars, the Julian Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar. The first is attributed to the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, whose name it bears.
What is the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar?
The Eastern Orthodox Liturgical Calendar describes and dictates the rhythm of the life of the Eastern Orthodox Church.