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The Jerusalem Typikon, ch. 49
“And as it was in the First Week of Great Lent, the same is also in these days. On Great Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, it is befitting to fast.”
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The Lenten Triodion
“It is befitting to know that, as we have received in Palestine, on this day of Great Friday, neither a Presanctified nor a complete Liturgy is served, and we neither offer a meal nor do we eat on this day of the Crucifixion. If anyone is greatly infirm, bread and water are given to him after sunset.”
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The Solovky Monastery Rule
“On Holy and Great Friday, we do not eat anything…”
For those unable to fast due to illness or age, the following foods may be offered in the monastery’s dining hall: cabbage, berries, cabbage soup, pea noodles, kama [1], juice porridge [2] - all without oil.
[1]Note: Kama is made of ground up roasted grains.
[2]Note: Juice porridge is porridge cooked in fruit, vegetable, or even hemp juice instead of water.
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The Solovky Rudder, 1493 edition [3]
On Friday - kolliva [4], but do not eat poppy seed oil [5].
[3]Note: These instructions are for laity, not monastics.
[4]Note: Kolliva is boiled wheat berries, sometimes with nuts and dried fruit added.
[5]Note: From the context, it is clear that not only poppy seed oil but any kind of oil is not eaten on Great Friday.
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The Psalter
“On Great Friday, if possible, it is not fitting to eat, as the Fathers command. However, we do not have this according to the rule that we do not eat at all, but according to the strength of each one it was determined by the Fathers. And because of this, if it is possible to keep a fast on these two days - that is to say, Friday and Saturday - this is good and acceptable. If it is not [possible to keep a fast for two days], then [keep] Saturday. On Friday then, eat bread and raw vegetables - as one wishes and is able.”
We worship Thy Passion, O Christ.
Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection.
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