There is a lot involved in having a good Lenten journey: prayer, worship, charity, almsgiving, scripture reading, and confession; in addition to fasting. It seems, though, that our focus is primarily on fasting. If we utilize all of these tools we will find that Great Lent is a tremendous opportunity to grow closer to God, closer to one another, and look deep inside ourselves honestly and repent for our sins. Spiritual discipline is basically what we are talking about, and fasting is but one aspect of the Great Lent (also called the Great Fast).
Nonetheless, to assist us in observing the food aspect of Great Lent, I am offering some dietary suggestions. Note that only the first suggestion constitutes the authorized guideline of the Orthodox Church. This we call the ascetical fast. The ascetical fast did not enter into the common practice of the Church for the laity until the 9th century; and that was through monastic influence, particularly from the Studion Monastery. It begs the question: to what degree should we engage in the Great Fast? I would say, at minimum, to the degree in which it requires self-discipline.
Below are suggestions to assist you so that you may do something regarding fasting. Better to do something rather than nothing.
1. The ascetic fast of the Orthodox Church is abstinence from all meat, fish and dairy for the entire 40 days plus Holy Week. On Saturdays and Sundays, wine and oil are allowed, but not on the other days. Exceptions occur only on the Feast of the Annunciation and Palm Sunday, on which days oil, wine and fish are allowed.
This is austere and perhaps too difficult for some to follow. It may not even be practical for most lay persons. Some, perhaps for health reasons, want to keep the fast but cannot to so as strictly as this. So, in a descending order of austerity, I am offering some moderation to the ascetical fast. Consider which one you think you can follow, and make the commitment to do so.
2. Strict fast during the week, but allow yourself fish, oil and wine on Sundays and the Feast of the Annunciation.
3. Eat fish, but no dairy, throughout Great Lent. Strict fast on Wednesdays, Fridays and Holy Week.
4. Fast from meat and fish, but go ahead and allow yourself dairy for all of Great Lent, except Wednesday and Friday, which should still be a strict fast including no from dairy. Perhaps you might also allow yourself fish on Sundays.
5. Still too austere? At least fast from meat alone for the 40 days and strict fast Holy Week. Remember, chicken is meat.
6. If even this is too much, then strict fast the first week of the Great Fast and, of course, Holy Week. And fast from at least meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Keep in mind that the Lord Himself fasted… and he prayed. He always spoke of the two forces of spiritual growth, fasting and prayer, and he modeled both. The inference is clear: that fasting without the ancillary power of prayer will prove futile. (see Contos, The Lenten Covenant) And the services of Great Lent remind us continually that fasting without prayer and love for one another will prove meaningless. It is not to be a legal obligation, but an opportunity to grow spiritually.
