My New Calendar Antiochian priest told me last Christmas that during fasting periods, as well as eating no meat, dairy, fish, wine and oil, you cannot eat between meals (except on weekends). I have never found this said anywhere else, on any other Orthodox site or fasting guidelines.
I was wondering, is this a traditional part of the fast, or was my priest wrong? (It wouldn't be the first time he'd been wrong).
On the strictest of days, other than those on which we eat nothing, the rule is:
Eating of vegetables only, (no wine or oil), at one meal after the ninth hour, (3 p.m.). This is the rule for Monday through Friday in the Great Fast and Dormition Fast and for all Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, (except between Pascha and Pentecost when oil and wine are allowed).
So it sounds like he is right, one meal.
Just as importantly we should heed St Isidore as well:
"Fasting in respect of food is of no benefit to those who fail to fast with all their senses; for whoever is successfully fighting his battle must be temperate in all things."
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Priest Mark Smith
British Columbia