Traditionally, the Black Fast is undertaken during
Lent; it is the
early Christian form of fasting consisting of fasting until sunset, and then consuming one
vegan meal afterwards (with food and water being allowed only at this time). Likewise, the prophet
Elijah went into the mountains for 40 days and nights to fast and pray "until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God" when "the word of the Lord came to him" (cf. ). In the
New Testament,
Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray for 40 days and 40 nights; it was during this time that
Satan tried to
tempt him (cf. ). Throughout the entire
Christian year, many Christians keep the Black Fast on Wednesdays (in memory of Jesus' betrayal) and on Fridays (to mourn the crucifixion of Jesus). In Western Christianity, many
monastics still retain this practice, though many
laypeople voluntarily undertake the Black Fast, especially on Good Friday. • No food or liquids are allowed from midnight until sunset. • A
mealtime prayer is offered at the time the Black Fast is broken. • During
Holy Week (the final week of Lent), the Lenten supper meal consists exclusively of bread, salt, herbs, and water.
Oriental Orthodoxy Coptic Orthodox Church In the
Coptic Orthodox Church, the Black Fast is the normative way of fasting during
Great Lent; Coptic Orthodox Christians go without water and food from midnight to sunset; after that time, the consumption of water and one
vegetarian meal is permitted. Married couples abstain from sexual relations during this period "to give themselves time for fasting and prayer (1 Cor. 7: 5)." Some
Eastern Catholics and
Eastern Lutherans perform the Black Fast on Fridays during
Lent, especially on
Good Friday.
Romanian Orthodox Church The term "Black Fast" has a different connotation within the
Romanian Orthodox Church, which defines it somewhat similar to the definition given by those within the realms of the Classical Pentecostal movement .
Western Christianity In the denominations of Western Christianity, some Christians undertake the Black Fast during the 40 days of Lent, especially on
Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) and
Good Friday (in order to mark the crucifixion of Christ). In the 20th century, the Black Fast was done by Christians in Ireland on these days. Christians of the
Indian subcontinent perform the Black Fast during Lent as well, especially on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. When fasting today, Roman Catholics have the liberty to fast in this manner, or in the modern fashion in which a
collation is permitted. Fasting rules were liberalised to avoid accidents due to weakness or lack of concentration in modern industrial jobs. For the same reason some soldiers in military orders like the
Hospitallers were historically exempt from the strict rule.
Lutheranism In the
Lutheran Churches,
Good Friday has been historically kept by many believers as a day to observe the Black Fast.
A Handbook for the Discipline of Lent recommends the Lutheran guideline to "Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with only one simple meal during the day, usually without meat".
Anglicanism In
Anglican Communion, the faithful have observed the Black Fast on "the two great
Prayer Book fast days,
Ash Wednesday and
Good Friday". The Black Fast was especially popular during the 19th century as it sought to imitate "the fasting of the ancient church." Ward states that the terms "Black Fast," "Hebrew Fast," and "Absolute Fast" are synonymous. British evangelical
Arthur Wallis coined the term "Absolute Fast" in his book ''God's Chosen Fast'' (1968). A Normal Fast or "Complete Fast" consists of eating nothing but drinking pure water. A Partial Fast (or
Daniel Fast) consists of
abstinence, either eliminating all but one type of food or eliminating just one type of food. The Black Fast is observed on rare occasions in Pentecostal circles while the Normal Fast is most usually undertaken. == References ==