Fast exceptions

[jas3]

Is there a standard set of days with fasting exceptions on the calendar? I noticed a difference between my church calendar (physical, sold in our parish bookstore) and the calendar app I use. If the schedule isn't standard across jurisdictions, at what level is it standardized (by calendar, by jurisdiction, by diocese)?

Also, on days with fasting exceptions, is it generally better not to make use of them if you don't need to, or should they be viewed more in the sense that the Church (at whatever level these exceptions are set) knows better than we do when we need a break?

 

[gzt]

Things are formally governed at the diocesan level but generally should be the same at the jurisdictional level. I'm not sure what kind of variations across the typikon you're thinking of. Almost everything is going to be the same across everybody with the only variation being Old Calendar vs New Calendar.

As for "exceptions", they are not "exceptions", they are saying what the rule is for the day. The fast free week after Pentecost, for instance, is not an accommodation for the weak to ignore if you don't need it, it is a festal period.

 

[Not David]

Is there a standard set of days with fasting exceptions on the calendar? I noticed a difference between my church calendar (physical, sold in our parish bookstore) and the calendar app I use. If the schedule isn't standard across jurisdictions, at what level is it standardized (by calendar, by jurisdiction, by diocese)?

Also, on days with fasting exceptions, is it generally better not to make use of them if you don't need to, or should they be viewed more in the sense that the Church (at whatever level these exceptions are set) knows better than we do when we need a break?

It's jurisdictional. For example, Antiochians are fast-free until the Feast of the Ascension.

 

[jas3]

I'm not sure what kind of variations across the typikon you're thinking of.

It probably has to do with jurisdiction. For example, my parish calendar has this week's Sunday, Tuesday, and Saturday as days where fish, wine, and oil are allowed. But I have an app called "Orthodox Calendar" that has wine and oil allowed every day of the week, and fish allowed every day except Wednesday and Friday.

The app does have a disclaimer that "fast exception information is based on general guidelines and might differ from church to church," but until now there seemed to be complete agreement between what I saw on that calendar and what was on my parish's calendar.

The fast free week after Pentecost, for instance, is not an accommodation for the weak to ignore if you don't need it, it is a festal period.

I wasn't referring to feasts, just to days where fish, wine, dairy, and oil are allowed.

 

[ArmyMatt]

in all honesty, the only exceptions I have ever heard are for the elderly, sick, injured, women who are pregnant or nursing, for travel if it can’t be helped, etc.