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Ok,no laughing at me please,but when does cheesefare week begin and how to I adhere to the guide lines?thanks friends

Hooray - thanks Valentino - most appropriate question for me.

Yes these terms have me confused and when they are applied [ the dates I mean ]

let the education ...... [ do I really have to finish the phrase ?]

Anhelyna

I f I am not wrong cheesefare week begins the Monday after the Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare Sunday, Κυριακή της Αποκρέω in Greek)and concludes with the Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheesefare or Dairy Sunday, Κυριακή της Τυρινής or της Τυροφάγου). Cheesefare Sunday (7th Sunday before Easter) is the last day that, according to the tradional rules of fasting of the Byzantine / Orthodox Church, cheese, milk, fish and eggs are permited. The Monday after Cheesefare Sunday marks the Beginning of the Holy Forty Days Fast. This year Cheesefare Sunday will be celebrated on March 9 by those following the Julian Calendar to find the date of Easter (most Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches) and on March 2 by those using the Gregorian Calendar (some Byzantine Catholic Churches, the Ruthenian Catholic Church included, and the Orthodox Church of Finland). If I am not wrong Wednesday and Friday of Cheesefare Week are considered part of the Great Fast period and non-liturgical days (on those days the Byzantine Church does not celebrate the Eucharist or the Communion Service after Vespers, known as Liturgy of the Presantified Gifts).

Dear Valentino, when one attempts an endeavor as serious as fasting you should consult with your spiritual father as to the level of fasting appropriate for your age, spiritual state, etc. Also any medical conditions need to be taken into accout.

Traditionally during Cheesefare Week meat is not allowed but dairy products and eggs are. The first Monday of the Great Fast after Cheesefare Week begins Lent and is a strict day of fast (no cooked food, and no meat, dairy, eggs, wine or oil). The rest of the Great Fast is meat and dairy-free but there are certain days when wine and oil is allowed.

Cheesefare Week begins on February 24th on the Gregorian Calendar and March 3rd on the Julian Calendar.

...the Saturday of the Cheesefare Week (the Saturday before Cheesefare Sunday) the Byzantine Church does comemorate the memory of all the holy Asctics men and women.