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Pastoral Guidelines for Great Lent: Fasting & Abstinence

*Patriarchal guidelines:

• Great Lent lasts seven weeks, in preparation for Easter. It begins on Ash Monday and ends on the evening of Holy Saturday. It is based on abstinence from food from midnight to midday, as well as abstinence from meat and whites (milk, its derivatives and eggs).

• The Saturdays, Sundays and the following public holidays are exempt from fasting and abstinence: Saint Jean Maron (March 2), the Forty Martyrs (March 9), Saint Joseph (March 19), the Annunciation (March 25) and the Patron Saint of the parish, St. Rafka (March 23). Throughout Holy Week, from Monday to Holy Saturday, fasting and abstinence remain mandatory.

*Eparchial guidelines:

• All physically capable Maronites are required to abstain from meat on Ash Monday and all Fridays of Lent.

• Ash Monday and Great Friday are also days of fasting (no food or drink except water and medicine from midnight to noon)

• Clergy, religious, and laity who wish to observe the more traditional Maronite practice of fasting and abstinence are encouraged to do so.