TomΣ wrote:anastasios wrote:Actually, Tom, it's because shellfish were cheap and abundant in the Mediterreanean area and so fasting by eating them saved money which was used to give to the poor.
anastasios
So then, the purpose of fasting is economics based? So this means that there is no real reason not to eat read meat, just eat a cheaper cut on fasting days?
Tom
There is a good reason not to eat red meat: because the Church says so. 
The church does make allowances for other cultures; the Eskimoes for instance are permitted foods that others would not normally be allowed to Greeks during Lent becuase their health is at risk if they do not have enough stored fat.
I think both Nicholas and my reasons were both in the thinking of the Fathers. You are not to eat an animal, but you are also to eat cheaply. Therefore, I would say Tom that yes, you should go without meat anyway and focus on vegetables, and no we should not be eating shrimp and lobster (unless it is on sale for instance) during a fast because that would defeat the other purpose of fasting, which is to free up money for almsgiving.
anastasios
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