Confused about Holy Friday fast

[zhilan]

I notice on the calendar from my church it says "total fast" on Holy Friday, but what exactly does that mean?

Last year I remember I didn't eat or drink until after 3 PM vespers and then they had simple snacks after. This year I have work from 2-8 PM so I won't be able to make it to the service. Is there a standard time when the fast ends?

And it's no liquids or food right?

Thanks!

[buzuxi02]

Usually the strict Good Friday fast is to be observed untill after the Liturgy of St. Basil on Saturday morning.

Of course, dont end up torturing yourself to the point of fainting. I'm sure however strictly you hold the fast it will be God-pleasing.

[Akathist]

Ask your Priest this question.

It seems to me that we had food until midnight during the all night vigil Friday night then after the Saturday Liturgy and baptisms we have a light meal then nothing until Paska. Some choir members are given permission to have a bit of water or hot tea with no sugar, etc so that we are not too dehydrated to sing for the long Paska service.

These are full fast from all food even water though typically. However, some people (like me) can't do this due to health concerns. Some can't do it because of the kind of work they do. And of course, pregnant women and children do not follow this.

My Priest and I discuss how to adjust things for my health issues so that I can follow it as best I can. I make sure to stay hungry but not get sick. There is no virtue to harming my body and also upsetting others if I faint because of my low blood sugar.

[zhilan]

I've called my priest, but he has just recently moved and is totally busy moving into a new parish, new home, new city and getting his two little girls set up in their new school. I totally understand and don't fault him in the least, but because of that he is not all that available for questions and such.

Thanks for the answers. So generally it means no food or water all day? If you are working are light, Lenten foods usually ok after sundown?

Thanks so much!

[katherine2001]

I would eat or drink whatever you need to in order to do your job well. I work a graveyard shift (11pm-7am), and if I am going to a liturgy in the morning after I get off, I'm only expected to fast for 6 hours, like in monasteries). We don't have communion til after 10 a.m. (we have liturgies at 9am on weekdays), so I stop eating or drinking after 4am. Do the best you can, but you've also got to be able to do your job well. That is part of being a good Christian as well. If you totally don't eat and drink anything, you won't do your job well.

[ExOrienteLux]

Here's how I figure it (I still have to talk to my priest about it, but this will probably work):

Since the day starts at Vespers, I plan on fasting from Vespers/6 pm on Holy Thursday to Vespers/6 pm on Holy Friday (I'll need water at least because I do hard manual labour, but apart from that, I'm going to try to eat nothing). Then, I'll have a little meal Friday evening and then fast from midnight on for St. Basil's Liturgy on Holy Saturday.

Just my 2 cents, and be sure to ask your (or at least a) priest.

IC XC NIKA,
Philip.

[gzt]

Ex: Vespers is in the morning on those days.

[Kristos]

unless you're planning on casting out a deaf and dumb demon on that day, it's probably best to focus on your prayer and just fast as normal;) In other words, don't worry about it too much.