T.G.I.F x 4

T.G.I.F x 4 February 2, 2007

In addition to being a Great Feast, today, being the Friday of the Publican & Pharisee, is …

fast-free!

It’s a Fast Free Friday Feastday!

And, for your files, here’s the Lenten fasting tradition of the Church:

During the week following the Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican there is katalysis [relaxing of rule; allowance] for all things, meaning that there is no fasting on any day of the week.

During the week following the Sunday of the Prodigal Son we observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk or other dairy products, fish, wine and olive oil) on Wednesday and Friday.

During the week following Judgment (or Meatfare) Sunday we abstain from meat, poultry, wine and olive oil; note however that there is katalysis for eggs, cheese, milk and other dairy products as well as fish on all days of that week.

From the first day of the Great Fast, known as Pure Monday, the day following Forgiveness (or Cheesefare) Sunday, we observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk or other dairy products, fish, wine and olive oil) on weekdays through Great and Holy Friday, while on Saturdays and Sundays there is katalysis for wine and olive oil;

EXCEPTIONS: on Annunciation (March 25th) and Palm Sunday there is katalysis for fish; on Great and Holy Thursday there is katalysis for wine and oil; on Great and Holy Saturday, if we eat anything at all, we observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk or other dairy products, fish, and olive oil) with katalysis for wine.

We break the Lenten Fast following the Paschal Orthros and Divine Liturgy.

* * * * * *

PS – Here’s Fr Stephen Freeman on the Feast.

PPS – From a couple year’s back …

[2005] Finally, when saying our Evening Prayers last night, my son reminded me of the Feast: February 2nd is the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple. Mind you, we’d just read about the Righteous Simeon and his disbelief that a VIRGIN would conceive and bear a Son. Simeon had even gone so far as to change the wording of the Scripture to say “a young woman” when he was corrected by an angel. And … so forth. After prayers, Basil (almost 7) said, “Dad, I noticed something about that story … he did it after Ground Hog Day.”

Yes, well, there it is.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.


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