Cyprus Times

Lent: What's Allowed and What's Not

Published February 23, 2026, 12:06
Lent: What's Allowed and What's Not

Lent is a period of spiritual and dietary preparation. During the fast, the consumption of meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, and oil is prohibited (with some exceptions for oil on weekends). Seafood, fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, and nuts are allowed. There are specific days during Lent when the consumption of fish and oil is permitted, such as on the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Palm Sunday. Holy Saturday is the only day of the year that strict fasting is observed, without oil and wine.