Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Traditionally, the eight days of the Paschal Octave have absolutely no fasting in them. You will see plenty of meat and dairy and eggs this week! In the Antiochian jurisdiction, there is no fasting during the entire Paschal season. Our local priest does not contradict this, but does caution that this relaxation of the normative rule was abrogated in a place and time where Christians are already suffering incredibly, on a daily basis, and that we in this country could probably do with more exercises of our faith and spiritual strength, though he would never state that we must keep the fast during that time. In our family, we have decided that on the Mondays and Wednesdays of the Paschal season after the Octave we will still refrain from meat, but will enjoy fish, dairy and eggs, wine, and oil. In this way, we can enjoy the looser dietary rules, while still respecting the spirit of restraint our local priest mentions.

We are spreading our feast that we normally make for the day of the feast and having it all week. Since we are attending the Agape meal at church, we might be making some of the desserts together as a family on Monday, but if we don't, I'll make them individually on different days this week.

It is so beautiful that this is one of the years in which the entire Church has fasted and is feasting together. May it always be so! Blessed Feast!

• Sunday - Pascha/Fesh'a
  Brunch: Blintz Casserole with Mixed Berry Jam, Red Eggs, Ham, Fresh Fruit, Ma'amoul, Leftovers from our Pascha Basket, Coffee, Tea and Milk
  Dinner: Waraq 'Ounab, Laban bi Chiyar, Baq'lawa, Gluten Free Persian Love Cake for Agape Meal
• Monday
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Bacon and Eggs, Milk, Coffee, Tea
  Dinner: Red Chile Pork, Cilantro Garlic Lime Rice, Spicy Refried Beans, Fried Peppersand Onions, Tortillas, Salsa, Crema, Shredded Cabbage, Ice Cream
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Sausages, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk, Coffee and Tea
  Dinner: Out with Friends
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Za'atar and Labneh Board with Olives, Vegetables, and Bread, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Grilled Polish Sausages and Onions, Sauerkraut, Salt Potatoes with Butter, Green Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette, Peep S'mores
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Yemeni Lahsa, Tamis, Fruit, Tea with Milk and Honey
  Dinner: Herb Roasted Green Lamb, Tourshi, Tourshi Makhloot, Olives, Harissa, Sah'awiq, Duqqus, Arabic Style Rice Pilaf, Gatayif
• Friday - Feast of Saint Mark
  Breakfast: Savory Parmesan French Toast with Hollandaise Sauce, Fruit Plate, Bacon, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Fatayir bi Sabanich, Fatayir bil Joubneh, Sambousak, Harissa, Sah'awiq, Knaffeh
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Scotchicanese Eggs, Paschal Braided Bread, Pascha Cheese, Strawberries and Oranges, Hot Chocolate, Sahlab, and Coffee
  Dinner: Leftover Lamb, Hummus, Baba Ghanooj, Muhamarrah, Khoubz Araby, Leftover Desserts

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday (this may be later this time because of our holiday feasting and rest).

Labels: Bright Week, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen