Editing Great Lent (section)

===Self-discipline===
Observance of Great Lent is characterized by [[fasting]] and [[abstinence]] from certain foods, intensified private and public prayer, self-examination, [[Confession (religion)|confession]], personal improvement, [[repentance]] and [[restitution]] for sins committed, and [[almsgiving]]. Fasting is defined as not consuming food or liquids until evening (at sundown).<ref name="OrInf">[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/exo_fasting.aspx Concerning Fasting on Wednesday and Friday]. ''Orthodox Christian Information Center''. Accessed 2010-10-08.</ref><ref name="Samaan2024"/> In the [[Coptic Orthodox Church]], the Black Fast is the normative way of fasting during Great Lent; these Oriental Orthodox Christians go without water and food from midnight to sunset; after that time, the consumption of water and one [[Christian vegetarianism|vegetarian]] meal is permitted.<ref name="Samaan2024">{{cite web |last1=Samaan |first1=Moses |title=The Meaning of the Great Lent |url=https://www.lacopts.org/story/the-meaning-of-the-great-lent/ |publisher=[[Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii]] |access-date=10 March 2024 |date=9 April 2009 |quote=The Church teaches us to fast until sunset. Fish is not allowed during this period. Also married couples should refrain from physical relations to give themselves time for fasting and prayer (1 Cor. 7: 5). We would like to emphasize the importance of the period of strict abstention during fasting. It is refraining from eating and drinking for a period of time, followed by eating vegetarian food. ... True fasting must be accompanied by abstention from food and drink until sunset as designated by the Church.}}</ref>

The Lenten supper that is eaten after the fast is broken in the evening must not include certain foods.<ref name="OrInf"/> Foods most commonly abstained from are [[meat]], [[fish]], [[eggs as food|eggs]], [[dairy products]], [[wine]], and oil. According to some traditions, only [[olive oil]] is abstained from; in others, all [[vegetable oils]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abbamoses.com/fasting.html|title=The Fasting Rule of the Orthodox Church|website=www.abbamoses.com|access-date=2018-08-02}}</ref> While wine and oil are permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, and a few feast days, and fish is permitted on [[Palm Sunday]] as well as the [[Annunciation]] when it falls before Palm Sunday, and [[caviar]] is permitted on [[Lazarus Saturday]], meat and dairy are prohibited entirely until the fast is broken on [[Easter|Easter (Pascha) Sunday]].<ref name="The Fasting Rule of the Church">{{cite web | url=http://www.abbamoses.com/fasting.html | title=The Fasting Rule of the Church | publisher=abbamoses.com | access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref> Additionally, married Eastern Orthodox Christians and Oriental Orthodox Christians traditionally abstain from sexual relations during Lent "to give themselves time for fasting and prayer (1 Cor. 7: 5).".<ref name="Menzel2014">{{cite web |last1=Menzel |first1=Konstantinos |title=Abstaining From Sex Is Part of Fasting |url=https://greekreporter.com/2014/04/14/abstaining-from-sex-is-part-of-fasting/ |publisher=[[Greek Reporter]] |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=English |date=14 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="Samaan2024"/>

Besides the additional liturgical celebrations described below, Christians are expected to pay closer attention to and increase their private prayer.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} According to [[Byzantine Rite]] [[theology]], when [[asceticism]] is increased, prayer must be increased also. The [[Church Fathers]]{{which|date=March 2023}} have referred to fasting without prayer as "the fast of the demons"{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} since the [[demons]] do not eat according to their incorporeal nature, but neither do they pray.