variants: or less commonly xerophagia \ ˌzirəˈfāj(ē)ə \
Definition of xerophagy
: the strictest Christian fast which is observed chiefly in the Eastern churches during Lent or especially Holy Week and in which only bread, salt, water, and vegetables may be eaten and meat, fish, milk, cheese, butter, oil, wine, and all seasonings or spices are excluded
History and Etymology for xerophagy
Late Latin xerophagia, from Greek xērophagia eating of dry food, from xērophagein to eat dry food (from xēros dry + phagein to eat) + -ia -y