On fasting

Byzantine Ramblings pointed out this helpful tiered system of fasting. The complete article is here and I recommend it as it has special points of warning and helpful advice, but I post the convenient "levels" below. At the hundred dollar level there's a commemorative tote-bag.

1. THE MINIMAL DEGREE:
   1. The first week of Lent abstain from meat.
   2. On all Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent abstain from meat.
   3. Holy Week: abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil. This includes all day Holy Saturday, the strictest fast day of the year. The fast must be continued even after you have received Communion on Holy Saturday morning.
   
   
2. THE LIGHT DEGREE:
   1. The first week of Lent abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil.
   2. On all Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent abstain from meat.
   3. Holy Week: abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil. This includes all day Holy Saturday, the strictest fast day of the year. The fast must be continued even after you have received Communion on Holy Saturday morning.
   
   
3. THE MODERATE DEGREE:
   1. The first week of Lent abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil.
   2. On all Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil.
   3. Mid Lent week: abstain from meat all week.
   4. Holy Week: abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil. This includes all day Holy Saturday, the strictest fast day of the year. The fast must be continued even after you have received Communion on Holy Saturday morning.
   
   
4. THE CONSERVATIVE DEGREE:
   1. The first week of Lent abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil.
   2. All during Lent abstain from meat.
   3. Holy Week: abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil. This includes all day Holy Saturday, the strictest fast day of the year. The fast must be continued even after you have received Communion on Holy Saturday morning.
   
   
5. THE STRICT DEGREE:
   1. All during Lent abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs.).
   2. Holy Week: abstain from meat, fish, dairy products (including milk, butter, eggs, etc.) and oil. This includes all day Holy Saturday, the strictest fast day of the year. The fast must be continued even after you have received Communion on Holy Saturday morning.
   
   
6. THE CANONICAL DEGREE:
   1. All during Lent and Holy Week: a glass of water and a morsel of bread each day.