Good Friday

Good Friday is the strictest fast in the monastery’s Holy Week observance: no food is eaten that day. In the schedule recounted by a monk, the day stands within a week of abstinence that makes the religious calendar a practical discipline of daily life.

Place in the Holy Week Fast

From Monday through Saturday evening, the monastery’s rule allows only bread and water, and then sparingly; where possible, the brethren are to go without food on some days, as during the first week of Lent. Good Friday sharpens that already severe pattern into an absolute prohibition on eating.

Contrast with the Neighboring Days

The surrounding days are governed by specified exceptions. On Holy Saturday, fasting continues until three o’clock, after which a little bread and water and a single cup of wine are permitted. On Holy Thursday, wine and cooked food are allowed. Against these measured allowances, Good Friday is distinguished by the simple and complete rule that nothing is eaten.