www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Food - Recipes Soup during Lent

Hi everyone! I am a Traditional Roman Catholic who is observing the Byzantine Lent this year. So far, it is doing wonders. I love you guys! I had no idea
I was a big spender on food haha. I have a question I could never find the answer online and the local Byzantine Parish won't pick up the phone.

Is consuming tomato soup considering a meal?

I ask because it's pretty much tomato juice, the same way fruits(also foods) get turned into liquid and count as beverages.
The Catholic group is having a community night and they are offering tomato soup, that's why I asked. I hope I'm not being too legalistic about it.

PAX TECVM

Hi Nelson,

The Fast is not an end to itself but a effort in self-discipline to help us move our attentions from evil thoughts and actions and refocus them on Christ. As such, it extends past the foods we eat and includes even the things we watch on television and the books we read. It stands as part of the three-legged stool of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Byzantine Christians typically engage in a qualitative, not a quantitative fast. That means we fast from certain types of food (meat, dairy, wine, and oil). There is no specific limit on the quantities we can eat. The individual is simply encouraged to eat no more than he needs to maintain his health (with a laborer likely needing more than an office worker). The limitation often described as "two small and one regular meal" comes to us from the Latin Church.

That said, I would say that consuming tomato soup is not a meal. it is not one of the foods we typically fast from. Since you asked, I'd suggest that you might be correct in thinking that you are being too legalistic about it. I'd also note that you mentioned that you were gathering with Latins, who seem to be preparing and serving the meal. To a large extent hospitality in eating what is put before you by a host would be very important. Those you are socializing with should not become aware that you are fasting in a different manner than they are.

John

While I am part Ukrainian, it is too far back in my lineage for me to have any current relatives (grandmas, etc.) to advise me.
I always thought the perogies were a Lenten diet staple but I cannot find a recipe which does not have either eggs or milk in the dough. How do you eat perogies and still not eat dairy? What's up with that? Is there a вавуся on this forum who have a non-dairy recipe? Thanks.

I found this:

http://www.food.com/recipe/vegan-pierogi-dough-251626

A very long time ago I did make vegan, i.e. great fast, pirohi, but they did not turn out well...not because of the recipe but because of the cook. It is labor intensive for beginners.

BTW, now there are fancier products than mere vegetable oil to substitute for butter or olive oil, but you are pretty much stuck with potato, sauerkraut or mushrooms for filling. You can make wonderful fruit-filled pirohi served cold (I have tried cherry), but you want that during a non-fasting season because it is great topped with heavy whipping cream or some such thing.

Thanks Mark,
I will give it a try and let you know if mine turn out any better. The cherry sounds great. A friend of mine makes them for Christmas.