Holy Week Fasting Guidelines

Palm Sunday

Abstinence of:

  • Meat & Meat Products
  • Dairy Products
 No Abstinence of:

  • Fish
  • Olive Oil
  • Wine
  • Shellfish
  • Vegetables & Vegetable Products
  • Fruit

Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday
* One meal may be taken each day.

Abstinence of:

  • Meat & Meat Products
  • Dairy Products
  • Fish
  • Olive Oil
  • Wine
 No Abstinence of:

  • Shellfish
  • Vegetables & Vegetable Products
  • Fruit

Holy Thursday
* One meal may be taken each day.

Abstinence of:

  • Meat & Meat Products
  • Dairy Products
  • Fish
 No Abstinence of:

  • Olive Oil
  • Wine
  • Shellfish
  • Vegetables & Vegetable Products
  • Fruit

Holy Friday
On Holy Friday, those who have the strength, keep a total fast. Those unable to do this may eat bread, with a little water, tea, or fruit juice, but not until sunset, or at any rate not until the veneration of the Epitaphion at Vespers.

Holy Saturday
* One meal may be taken on this day. On this one Saturday, alone among all the Saturdays of the year, olive oil is not permitted.

Abstinence of:

  • Meat & Meat Products
  • Dairy Products
  • Fish
  • Olive Oil
 No Abstinence of:

  • Wine
  • Shellfish
  • Vegetables & Vegetable Products
  • Fruit