Palm Sunday is one of the few days during Great Lent when Orthodox Christians are allowed to eat fish. But why does the Church make this exception, and what does it symbolize?
Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and is one of the most significant feast days in the Orthodox Church. Despite falling within the solemn period of Great Lent, which is typically marked by strict fasting, the Church allows certain exceptions on this day.
According to Orthodox tradition and liturgical texts like the Nistiodromion (a fasting guide), the faithful are permitted to consume fish and olive oil on Palm Sunday. This exception is a sign of joy and spiritual upliftment, as it commemorates a moment of victory and divine presence before the sorrowful events of Holy Week.
While Palm Sunday brings a brief reprieve from strict fasting, the days that follow – especially Holy Week – return to a more rigorous fasting regime. Good Friday, in particular, is observed with great austerity.
Even in Greek traditional customs, such as the Lazarus Saturday carols sung by young girls known as “Lazarines,” there is a reference to this dietary exception. One verse says:
“Palm leaves, Palm leaves and fish they eat,
Next Sunday comes and they eat lamb roast.”
In Greek: “Βάγια, Βάγια και Βαγιώ τρώνε ψάρι και κολιό. Και την άλλη Κυριακή, τρώνε το ψητό τ’ αρνί.” (“Vagia, Vagia kai Vagio trone psari kai kolio. Kai tin alli Kyriaki, trone to psito t’arni.)