Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Fasting Rules

Question:

Could you please instruct me specifically as to how to fast these fourty days? What days are meals allowed? Is dairy food or fish allowed? What about wine, olive oil, and octypus?

Answer:

Dr. Alexander Roman alex.roman@unicorne.org

The basic fast is not to eat any meat or meat products, fish, olive oil, wine, cheese or dairy products throughout the Great Fast.

Fish has a backbone and so is considered to be meat. Octopus and other sea food that has no backbone is not considered meat. Olive oil is an ancient symbol of happiness and so is also not used during the Great Fast.

The regime is varied to allow at times for olive oil and wine and even fish, such as on the Feast of the Annunciation and the Entrance into Jerusalem of our Lord.

It is always good to consult with one's parish priest or spiritual confessor regarding fasting rules and local variations in them.

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