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The Vesperal Liturgy on Great Saturday begins in the tenth hour (around 4 pm). A eucharistic fast is observed all day until the dismissal of the Liturgy. A special note in the Typikon states that it is important to ensure that the Liturgy ends in the second hour of the night or around 9 pm.
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The Jerusalem Typikon, ch. 49
“After the dismissal, we exit from the church into the dining hall, and sit each one in his own place, in silence and with reverence. And enters the kellarios [1] and gives to each brother one piece of bread, prosphorons having been prepared for this, measuring half a litra [2] of bread, equally measured, and six figs or dates, and one measured cup of wine. And where there is no wine, brethren drink kvass [made] with honey or with grain. Figs are available in many countries. [3] And while we eat, a great reading is offered from the Acts of the Holy Apostles from the beginning.”
[1]Note: Kellarios - from Greek κελλάριος - “storehouse keeper.”
[2]Note: Litra is 340 grams; thus, half a litra is 170 grams.
[3]Note: Evidently, this statement was made before the conversion of northern Europeans to Christianity.
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The Solovky Monastery Rule
“[O]n Great Saturday, it is commanded to us to fast until the fourth hour of the night, and then, upon the completion of Divine Liturgy [4], to eat a little bread and to drink one cup of wine.”
[4]Note: This reference is to the Vesperal Liturgy on Saturday, which begins in the “tenth hour” or around 4 pm.
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The Solovky Rudder, 1493 edition [5]
“But on Saturday, no one should eat cooked food; enough [already of] eating supper and drinking oil [6]. For the Holy Fathers established to fast on this Saturday, and on no other. For on [this] Saturday, Christ lay in the tomb, and the Theotokos with the apostles were in sorrow.”
[5]Note: These instructions are for laity, not monastics.
[6]Note: This turn of phrase likely means “enough already” - that is to say, “we have had enough; now, neither eat supper nor drink oil on this day.”
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The Psalter
“[I]f 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.”
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Let all mortal flesh keep silent, and stand with fear and trembling, and in itself consider nothing earthly; for the King of kings and Lord of lords cometh forth to be sacrificed, and given as food to the believers; and there go before Him the choirs of Angels, with every Dominion and Power, the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, covering their faces, and crying out the hymn: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
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