Xerophagy
Xerophagy ("dry eating", from Greek ξηρός "dry" and
The injunction of xerophagy was set forth in the Apostolic Constitutions for the season of Lent, and on the last two days of Holy Week (Good Friday and Holy Saturday), "nothing whatsoever is to be eaten."[1]
The Montanist Christians practiced xerophagy twice a year for fourteen days.[1]
It is observed in Eastern Christianity during Great Lent and certain other fasts. "Dry" primarily refers to food cooked without oil.[3] In the Greek tradition, "oil" generally refers to olive oil, but in Slavic tradition, this also extends to butter and to other types of vegetable oil. Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox denominations encourage xerophagy during Holy Week and on Good Friday, the one meal may include "bread, with a little water, tea or fruit-juice, but not until sunset".[4]
Outside of the regular calendar of Christian fasts, xerophagy may also be used as a penance for specific transgressions. For example, in the 35 Canons of Saint John the Faster, the penance for any monk caught in homosexual acts includes a xerophagic diet for three years along with other penances.[5]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Kellner, Karl Adam Heinrich (1908). Heortology: A History of the Christian Festivals from Their Origin to the Present Day. K. Paul. p. 99.
- ^ Fleury, M. L'abbé (1872). The Manners of the Christians. A. R. Mowbray & Co. p. 52.
- ^ "A.Word.A.Day -- xerophagy".
- ^ Mihaly, Luke. "Lenten Fast" (PDF). Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. p. 2. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ "A Christian Understanding of Homosexuality" (PDF). orthodoxinfo.com. 2017.