Yup, today is pretty much Fat Sunday for Byzantine Catholics. Priest's Wife explains what goes on much better than I do, so you can read that here. In short, our Lent starts tomorrow, not on Ash Wednesday, like Roman Catholics. We don't get ashes on Wednesday, either, which makes me miss my old traditions (I'll try to post about that on Wednesday).
Tomorrow and Good Friday are totally meat-less and animal product-less, although we can eat fish. Don't ask, I don't really get it either. As an aside, when I was a practicing Roman, I never got why we couldn't eat meat on Fridays during Lent either. Byz Caths abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent, but we can eat dairy, eggs, and fish. Bring on the fish & chips and ravioli, please!
(I say "practicing Roman" because ritually speaking, I am still a Roman Catholic. It's kind of like being a registered Republican, but voting Democratic--it's all about numbers and "where" you are. Does it matter in God's eyes? I tend not to think so. Plus, Turtle himself was Roman for years and didn't even know it, even though he practiced as a Byz. Note to self: share that story sometime; it's a hoot, if you're into church jokes/humor, haha.)
Soooo back to today! Tonight we're celebrating my dad's birthday, which was yesterday, by having my parents and brother over for dinner. On the menu: pasta with clam sauce (including bacon!), homemade garlic bread, salad, and of course, some kind of cake. My mom's bringing that. Definitely a "fat" meal in more ways that one, haha. Turtle's at the store right now getting the last minute ingredients and I should be cleaning up and getting stuff done.
I hope everyone--no matter their rite or denomination--has a good and spiritually full fast. And no, I'm not giving anything up. Personally, I think that's lame. (And, um, I always cheat if it's food-related, ha.) I'm going to try and be a better friend, wife, worker, person. Let's see how this goes.
Lent always sneaks up so fast! Guess this will curb my nightly bacon feasts!
ReplyDeleteIt's weird because I always feel like I don't eat much meat, but I guess I do. . . because I always miss it on Fridays and always feel like it's a sacrifice because I really, really want it. Maybe I just want it because I can't have it?
My spiritual life sucks here. I think it's just my location. . . and it's the same reason my social life sucks here. I just don't connect to my church or my community like I did before. I need a shot in the arm or a new location!
ok... the story on fish:
ReplyDeleteback in the olden days, you had to actually OWN the animal to eat it which meant that the middle and upper classes were the only ones who had meat. fish, however, was fair game so a lot of peasants ate it. the reason for fish during lent: it made the middle and upper classes fast from their luxuries and eat like peasants.
Hi Jen, thanks for your comment! I see you are a follower of Priest's Wife and Auntie Leila, too :) So that's the story...I'd heard a version where the Pope decreed that people had to eat fish to support the fishing trades. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteLOL Illini--you eat bacon nightly and are that skinny still? You must tell me your secrets!!! :) I've been there re: spiritual life. Still am, at times. It can suck being the only "young" couple at church...we are anomalies!