Monday, 19 December 2011

Orthodox Fasting - A Slow Process

A little bit different from "traditional" fasting, but for the same purpose.

For those who don't know, I am Serbian Orthodox Christian. The true differences there are between Catholic and/or other sects of Christianity is pretty much the holidays we celebrate and where our head pope is.

One major difference is that we celebrate Christmas on January 7th: 11 months earlier than normal Christmas. Another is that we celebrate a certain saint on one certain day (probably the day they were martyred), which for me, occurs on November 8th. I celebrate Saint Demetrius, a pretty badass guy for being pretty much a hipster crusader "when Christianity and fighting for God wasn't cool"

(Insert ironic glasses)

But one thing we do is Fast. 

I'm not sure what other religions do this, but we pretty much can't eat anything that comes from animals, making us... hipsters to vegetarians?


"Shaving is so mainstream"

So, what happens is that we must make due with fruits, vegetables, grain-products, nuts, and fish. Fish are eatable because... well, either they're not "creatures of Gods Earth" (since they live in water) or because of that whole situation with Jesus and multiplying loaves of bread and fillets of fish.

"... And that's where MacDonald's gets its 'Fillet O'Fish' " 


Thanks to modern science and preservatives, there are tons of recipes that use things like Cool Whip and Margarine and Marshmallows. In fact, Rice Krispie Squares are one of our favourite desserts during this time. 

Anyway, in the next few days, I'll be posting recipes that require no eggs or milk. I've kind of run out of time, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow. 

Thanks for reading!


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