Lenten Regulations
Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving – Regulations for Fast.
By the threefold discipline of fasting, prayer and almsgiving the Church keeps the Great Fast (Lent) from Monday, February 12 (February 19), after the Cheesefare Sunday to the day before Easter, Holy Saturday, March 31 (April 7).
The following regulations apply, in general, to all Ukrainian Catholics of the Stamford Eparchy between ages 21 to 60:
Abstinence from meat and dairy products on the first day of the Great Fast, February 12 (February 19), and on Good Friday, March 30 (April 6).
The following regulations apply, in general, to all Ukrainian Catholics of the Stamford Eparchy between ages 14 to 60:
Abstinence from meat is to be observed on all Fridays of the Great Fast. Abstinence from meat is suggested and encouraged on all Wednesdays of the Great Fast.
Note: The following are exempt from abstinence:
1. The poor who live on alms;
2. The sick and the frail;
3. Convalescents who are returning to their strength;
4. Pregnant women, and women who are nursing their children; and
5. Persons who perform hard labor.
Meat is to be understood as including not only the flesh, but also those parts of warm-blooded animals that cannot be rendered, i. е., melted down, e. g., the liver, lungs, blood, etc. meat gravy or soup made from meat is included in this prohibition.
Dairy products are to be understood as comprising products derived from mammals and birds, but not regarded as meat, e. g., cheese, lard, butter, milk, eggs, etc.
Eucharistic Fast:
A fast of one hour from food (prior to service begging time) should be kept by those receiving the Eucharist at the evening celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, as well as, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.
