Regulations for the Season
The fasts of the liturgical year are to be kept in accordance with the
Norms of Particular Law of the Byzantine Metropolitan Church sui iuris of Pittsburgh.
Strict Abstinence
•The law of strict abstinence (fasting) forbids the use and consumption of all meat, eggs and dairy products.
•All faithful of the Archeparchy who receive the Eucharist are obliged to observe strict abstinence when prescribed.
•Strict abstinence (fasting) is to be observed in 2023 on Pure Monday, Feb. 20 (the first day of the Great Fast), and on Great and Holy Friday, April 7.
Dispensations
•Priests and parents are to ensure that minors are educated in the authentic sense of penance.
•Pastors and administrators, with just cause and taking into account acceptable reasons due to personal circumstances, may grant to the individual faithful as well as to individual families, dispensations, transferals, or commutations of abstinence and strict fast into other pious practices. Superiors of religious houses or clerical institutions enjoy these same faculties relative to their constituents.
Liturgical Services
•The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts takes precedence over all other Lenten Devotions.
•The Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts only is to be celebrated on Wednesdays and/or Friday evenings of the Great Fast and also on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week.
