Interesting question

[Anhelyna]

Answers from Orthodox Christians [ as in members of TAW ] ONLY please

Posed by one of our members at coffee after Liturgy today

Why on some days during Fast periods [ eg Mon/Tues and Wednesday this week ] are we permitted to eat fish ?

Yes it does lighten the Fast BUT as at other times fish is treated as meat [ most Wednesdays and Fridays and also Fast periods with a few exceptions ] so why is it permitted on these other occasions ?

Curious minds want to know ?

 

[rusmeister]

I think anyone who gets carried away by the rules is going to be stymied.
I am NO expert, or spiritual advisor, but it seems to me that everything is in layers. The question is, what can we say "No" to ourselves in? So different levels are set at different times, as a kind of rheostat, a kind of level of control.
I'm no one to talk, my own fasting has been in the toilet, I have no spiritual help from anywhere, I'm just trying to repent and stay in the Church when I feel like even my local Church has betrayed me. I find there are things I can refrain from and things I can't tolerate, because I am weak. But we definitely need a standard to strive for. And thus, the rules. Aim for them, do what you can.
My two cents, nothing more.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Answers from Orthodox Christians [ as in members of TAW ] ONLY please

Posed by one of our members at coffee after Liturgy today

Why on some days during Fast periods [ eg Mon/Tues and Wednesday this week ] are we permitted to eat fish ?

Yes it does lighten the Fast BUT as at other times fish is treated as meat [ most Wednesdays and Fridays and also Fast periods with a few exceptions ] so why is it permitted on these other occasions ?

Curious minds want to know ?

sometimes the Feast days that occur during a Fasting cycle call for it because of the celebratory nature of the Feast (ie Annunciation during Lent).

 

[Anhelyna]

Fr Matt - yes our questioner appreciated that BUT why on those days are fish NOT meat - even thought they have faces , back bones etc ? Normally on Fast days fish is classified as meat.

The only thing we could think of is that the Apostles were fishermen hence fish being permitted. Even Father was puzzled

 

[ArmyMatt]

Fr Matt - yes our questioner appreciated that BUT why on those days are fish NOT meat - even thought they have faces , back bones etc ? Normally on Fast days fish is classified as meat.

The only thing we could think of is that the Apostles were fishermen hence fish being permitted. Even Father was puzzled

where does it say that they are not meat?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I’ve always wondered why in the Old Testament God forbade shrimp and lobster crustacean action, but in Orthodoxy somehow now that’s the ONLY food we permit during Lent!

 

[Melista]

I’ve always wondered why in the Old Testament God forbade shrimp and lobster crustacean action, but in Orthodoxy somehow now that’s the ONLY food we permit during Lent!

I’m just an inquirer/catechumen but my priest told me that crustaceans were acceptable because at the time they were considered peasant food. Now of course they are a delicacy.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I’m just an inquirer/catechumen but my priest told me that crustaceans were acceptable because at the time they were considered peasant food. Now of course they are a delicacy.

yep. there are circles saying we need to make the fasting stricter in a sense, since Maine lobster is considered fasting.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I’ve always wondered why in the Old Testament God forbade shrimp and lobster crustacean action, but in Orthodoxy somehow now that’s the ONLY food we permit during Lent!

I think the OT restriction was part of distinguishing the Israelites from the Gentiles.

 

[Melista]

yep. there are circles saying we need to make the fasting stricter in a sense, since Maine lobster is considered fasting.

Thank you Father Matt. Hormel Spam almost seems to fit better in modern times.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you Father Matt. Hormel Spam almost seems to fit better in modern times.

spam doesn’t count. it’s gotta be food first.

 

[Light of the East]

yep. there are circles saying we need to make the fasting stricter in a sense, since Maine lobster is considered fasting.

Not without gobs of butter it ain't!!!!

That's why I don't eat lobster during the fast. Need that butter!!

 

[ArmyMatt]

Not without gobs of butter it ain't!!!!

good point

 

[Light of the East]

spam doesn’t count. it’s gotta be food first.

LOL!!

I was surprised during my catechumenate to see Oreo cookies at Coffee Hour during Lent. When I asked Fr. Deacon Nicholas about it, he told me that they aren't food, just chemicals processed to taste like food.

 

[ArmyMatt]

LOL!!

I was surprised during my catechumenate to see Oreo cookies at Coffee Hour during Lent. When I asked Fr. Deacon Nicholas about it, he told me that they aren't food, just chemicals processed to taste like food.

haha, yep. no dairy or meat in an Oreo.

 

[Anhelyna]

In an Oreo original Father - I was warned that the newer ones do contain some dairy - so in our Parish it's Oreo original only during coffee in Fast periods

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Ive always heard that Jews felt God was doing two things at the same time—-setting Israel apart and looking toward a healthy lifestyle to prolong life. Crustaceans are bottom feeders that eat the garbagy junk of the ocean.

I think the OT restriction was part of distinguishing the Israelites from the Gentiles.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Ive always heard that Jews felt God was doing two things at the same time—-setting Israel apart and looking toward a healthy lifestyle to prolong life. Crustaceans are bottom feeders that eat the garbagy junk of the ocean.

sounds good to me

 

[RileyG]

subscribing....

Looking at the original question, are you ever forbidden to eat fish? (forbidden may not be the right word here)

 

[ArmyMatt]

subscribing....

Looking at the original question, are you ever forbidden to eat fish? (forbidden may not be the right word here)

yes. most times we fast fish are not to be eaten since they have backbones.