Maronite Traditions
Fast and Abstinence
In vigour until at least the 1920's
(Cf. Fr. R.. Janin, A.A. Les Eglise orientales et Les Rites orientaux, Paris 1922) The practice of fast and abstinence was regulated by the Maronite synod of 1736.
Definitions
- Fast: Eating and drinking forbidden until midday.
- Abstinence: abstaining from eating all meat, oil, wine and animal products (eggs, milk, cheese etc.)
- Forbidden food: Like most oriental Christians, the Maronites kept the Mosaic ban on eating blood, suffocated animals and certain animals considered impure; and which Oriental Church Councils have many times renewed.
Applications
- Weekly Abstinence: Every Wednesday and Friday except:
- From Christmas to Epiphany.
- The Friday before Great Lent.
- From Easter to Pentecost.
- June 24th and 29th.
- August 6th and 15th.
- Great Lent: from Quinquagesima to Easter abstinence every day; fasting every day except on Sundays and Saturdays (with the exception of Holy Saturday).
- Apostles Lent: Abstinence four days 25th - 28th June.
- Assumption Lent: Abstinence eight days 7th - 14th August.
- Christmas Lent: Abstinence twelve days 13th - 24th December.