The Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church sui iuris of Pittsburgh observes the following four seasonal observances (MPL Canon 880 S2):

• The Philip's Fast, the forty-day fasting period which begins on November 15th and con-cludes on December 24th.
• The Great Fast, the forty-day fasting period which begins on Pure Monday and concludes on Palm Friday.
• The Apostles' Fast, the variable (8-42 days) fasting period which begins on All Saints Monday and concludes on June 28th;
• The Dormition Fast, the fourteen-day fasting period which begins on August 1st and concludes on August 14th.

Simple Fast or Abstinence

Simple fast or abstinence forbids the use of meat and meat products. Simple fast or abstinence does not forbid the use of eggs or dairy products. Simple fast or abstinence is observed on:

• All Wednesdays and Fridays of the Great
• On all Fridays of the year or an equivalent penance is recommended, except during the festive observances as found in the Typikon (MPL Canon 880 S2.2)

Strict Fast

Strict Fast forbids the use of meat, eggs, and dairy products. Strict Fast is to be observed on Pure Monday and Great Friday.

Age Requirements

Simple fast or abstinence binds all the faithful of the Eparchy of Passaic who receive the Eu-charist.

Strict fast binds all the adult faithful who receive the Eucharist.

Priests and parents are to see to it that minors are educated in the authentic sense of penance especially after first confession.

Dispensations

Expectant and nursing mothers, infants and those who are in poor health are exempt from the laws of strict fast.

Pastors and religious superiors, for a just cause, may grant to individuals and families a dispen-sation or commutation of the prescribed strict or simple fasts to another equivalent penance.

Non-Fasting Periods

The periods during which fasting is not permitted:

• The week following the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
• Bright Week
• The Postfeast of the Nativity of the Lord: (December 25 -January 4)
• Major Feasts of the Lord and the Theotokos if they fall on a fast day

Pastors should teach their people that the fasting regulations are the minimum. Pastors should teach the tradition of fasting and encourage participation.

Pastors should teach, as the prophets do, that liturgical fasting is offensive to God without charity and fasting from injustice.