Sunday, February 09, 2014

Moveable Feasts and Fasts


 
 
It's that time of year again and we are fixin' to get ready for Lent.   As we enter into this Movable Fast/Feast Period of the Orthodox calendar let me give you the quick rundown:

 

Feb 9-15:  The Triodion- "Three" weeks before Lent.  No Fasting

Feb 16-22:  Meatfare- Regular Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays

Feb 23-March 2:  Cheesefare- Fast Week (Dairy, Eggs, and Fish Allowed)

March 3- April 11: Great and Holy Lent- Strict Fast (No Eggs, Dairy or Meat) ((not even lamb.))  (((Big Fat Greek Wedding)))

April 12: Saturday of Lazarus (Wine and Oil Allowed)

April 13: Palm Sunday (Fish, Wine and Oil Allowed) ((Big Fish day to give you strength for the upcoming week))

April 14-19: Holy Week, Strict Fast

April 20: Great and Holy PASCHA, Easter. Fast Free (But you already knew that)

April 21-27: Bright Week, Fast Free

April 28-June 8: Back to our regularly scheduled fasting schedule…. Wednesdays and Fridays.

May 29: Holy Ascension

June 8: Pentecost

June 9-14: No Fasting

June 15: Sunday of All Saints, No Fasting

June 16-June 29: Apostles Fast, (fish allowed) ((One of the "lesser" fasts that is often overlooked))

June 30: Holy Apostles

This concludes our moveable feast portion of the calendar.  You may now return back to our regularly scheduled fasting schedule…. Wednesdays and Fridays. 
 
Remember: fasting is not a diet but a spiritual exercise.  Use it with prayer and almsgiving. 

 

1 comment:

Liz said...

Thank you for the calendar. It's helpful to see it laid out like that. Helps one to get ready. And what do you mean no lamb? (That comment in the movie is one of my favorite all time movie quotes!)