Balancing Strictness and Compassion: The Dietary Discipline of Great Lent

The splendor of Great Lent lies in its strict yet thoughtfully arranged rules that emphasize historical symbolism and spiritual fortitude. At the very beginning of the fasting period, during the first two days of the first week, believers observe the highest degree of abstinence by completely renouncing food. This radical step serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual purification and inner renewal.

Then, during the subsequent period of the Forty Days, clear distinctions are established: on weekdays (with the exception of Saturday and Sunday) only one evening meal is allowed, and that meal is prepared without oil. These days, filled with rigorous limitations, create an atmosphere of conscious self-discipline and spiritual focus. Meanwhile, Saturdays and Sundays are granted leniency – on these days the consumption of jam, oil, and wine is permitted, introducing an element of moderation and balance into the fasting process. This practice of allowing limited intake of these products underscores the symbolic separation between the regular fasting days and the periods of relaxation.

Special attention is given to Holy Week, when the rules become even more stringent. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are observed as days of dry fasting, and on Great Thursday, depending on the church protocol, adherents either maintain a dry fast or are allowed to consume oil and wine. Historically, the diet of believers was reduced to bread and vegetables, gradually eliminating meat. Fish, which held significant symbolic importance, permitted moderate relaxations on certain feast days such as the Annunciation or Palm Sunday.

Thus, the variety of fasting rules during Great Lent – ranging from complete abstinence to the acceptance of limited meals – reflects a deep tradition of balancing strict self-denial with moderate concessions, thereby preserving rich spiritual symbolism and church traditions. This harmonious blend of firm regulations and allowances continues to inspire believers on the path to spiritual awareness and self-purification, uniting various aspects of life into a coherent whole.

Great Lent is characterized by a series of strict rules that vary by day. In the initial days, particularly the first two days of the first week, the highest degree of fasting was observed – complete abstinence from food. In the subsequent days of the Forty Days (excluding Saturdays and Sundays), only one evening meal is permitted, and that too consumed without oil. Thus, the weekdays of the fast are subject to more severe restrictions, while Saturdays and Sundays feature a more relaxed form of fasting.

As noted in one source, “During the first two days of the first week the highest degree of fasting is established – on these days complete abstinence from food is prescribed. On the other days of the Forty Days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays, the Church established a second degree of abstinence – food is taken only once, without oil, in the evening” (source: link ).

It is also worth noting that on Saturdays and Sundays the consumption of jam, oil, and wine is permitted, while fish, despite its symbolic importance, is generally not allowed on these days. This rule highlights the distinction between the regular fasting days and the days with relaxations (source: link ).

During Holy Week, additional restrictions are introduced: on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, dry fasting is observed, and on Great Thursday, depending on the protocol, either a dry fast is followed or the consumption of oil and wine is permitted (source: link ).

Historical practices also indicate that bread and vegetables were favored while meat gradually faded from the diet, with fish remaining the only type of food allowed in certain circumstances due to its symbolic significance (source: link ).

Furthermore, the most lenient form of abstinence permits the consumption of fish, but only on specific festive days. For example, fish may be eaten on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (unless it coincides with Holy Week) and on Palm Sunday, while on Lazarus Saturday, exceptions are even made, such as permitting the consumption of fish roe (source: link ).

In summary, the dietary restrictions during Great Lent range from complete abstinence on the strictest days to moderate concessions—such as allowing food without oil or with limited additions of oil and wine on particular weekdays, with fish permitted only on specially designated feast days. This array of rules helps maintain the spirit of the fast while upholding the commemorative traditions and symbolism of the church holidays.