<P> To fast customarily means to only eat one meal during the day, and to avoid animal products . Eastern Christians view fasting as one part of repentance and supporting a spiritual change of heart . Eastern Christians observe two major times of fasting, the "Great Fast" before Easter, and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity . </P> <P> During the Great Fast, meat, eggs, dairy products, fish and oil are avoided . </P> <P> The fast period before Christmas is called "Philip's Fast" because it begins after the feast day of St. Philip . Specific practices vary, but on some days during the week meat, dairy products and (in some countries) oil are avoided, while on other days there is no restriction . During approximately the last week before the Nativity, typically meat, dairy, eggs and oil are avoided on all days, meals are moderate in quantity, and no food is taken between meals . </P> <P> In addition to the fasts mentioned above, Roman Catholics must also observe the Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but water and medicines into the body for some time before receiving the Eucharist . The earliest recorded regular practice was to eat at home before the Lord's Supper if one was hungry (I Corinthians 11: 34). The next known ancient practice was to fast from midnight until Mass that day . As Masses after noon and in the evening became common in the West, this was soon modified to fasting for three hours . The latest Code of Canon Law reduced the Eucharistic Fast to the current one - hour requirement for the Roman Rite . Particular law in some Eastern Catholic Churches also requires a one - hour Eucharistic fast . </P>

When did the catholic church allow eating meat on fridays