About

For the observant Orthodox Christian, the calendar is not merely a method of tracking time but a guide for spiritual discipline. This Monastic Dining Calendar serves as an 'Ultimate Authority' for daily dietary rules, synthesizing the complex intersection of the Fixed Cycle (Menaion) and the Movable Cycle (Triodion/Pentecostarion).

Understanding why a day is a fast is as important as the rule itself. This tool distinguishes between 'Strict Fast' (Xerophagy), 'Wine & Oil' days, 'Fish' days, and 'Fast-Free' days. It addresses the common challenge of conflicting dates—such as when the Feast of the Annunciation falls during Great Lent—by applying the correct precedence rules (Typikon). A toggle is provided for 'Monastic' (Strict) versus 'Laity' (Standard) observance, as parish practice often modifies the rigor of oil and wine consumption.

Formulas

The calendar logic layers two distinct time cycles. The Movable Cycle is calculated relative to Pascha (P). The Fixed Cycle uses the current civil date (d, m). The precedence logic implies:

Step 1. Calculate Pascha P via Gaussian algorithm.
Step 2. Map Lent (start P − 48), Holy Week, and Pentecost (P + 49).
Step 3. Determine the Fixed Feast Rank R_F for the specific date.
Step 4. Apply Typikon Precedence: FinalRule = max(Rule_Triodion, Rule_Menaion). Example: Annunciation (Fish) > Lent (Strict).

Reference Data

Symbol	Name	Allowed Foods	Typical Occasions
●	Strict Fast (Xerophagy)	Vegetables, Fruit, Bread, Water. No Oil, No Wine.	Wed/Fri, Great Lent, Dormition Fast.
●	Wine & Oil	All Strict foods + Vegetable Oil + Wine/Alcohol.	Weekends in Lent, Saints with Polyeleos rank.
●	Fish Allowed	All above + Fish (with backbone).	Annunciation, Palm Sunday, Transfiguration.
●	Fast Free / Harlequin	Meat, Dairy, Eggs, Everything.	Pascha, Christmas, Regular non-fasting days.
●	Cheesefare	Dairy, Eggs, Fish. No Meat.	Week before Lent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Monastic rules strictly forbid oil and wine on most weekdays during fasting periods. Laity rules, often blessed by bishops for parish use, may permit wine and oil on days where monasteries would abstain. This tool defaults to Monastic strictness but can be toggled.

Historically, the restriction referred specifically to olive oil (stored in skins). However, the modern consensus in most jurisdictions is that 'Oil' refers to all vegetable oils. Some strict interpretations allow tahini or nuts but not processed oil.

The Movable Cycle (Triodion/Pascha) generally takes precedence during Holy Week. If a major fixed feast (like St. George) falls on Good Friday, the festive elements are usually transferred to Bright Week, maintaining the strict fast of Good Friday.

Xerophagy literally means 'dry eating'. It is the strictest form of fasting, consisting of boiled vegetables, bread, fruit, and water, without the addition of oil or wine, and usually eating only once a day.