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Why is Meat Excluded from the Orthodox Christian Diet during Fasting? A Religious and Medical Approach
Elias E. MAZOKOPAKIS and George SAMONIS
ABSTRACT
Orthodox Christian fasting (OF) incorporates voluntary abstention from specific foods for 180-200 days per year. Meat eating and OF cannot coexist: meat eating negates fasting and fasting excludes meat eating (incompatible concepts). In this article, the possible medical reasons for the exclusion of meat from the OF are presented and commented.
Keywords: meat, medicine, Orthodox Christian fasting, religious