True, Max. Fasting is still pretty stringent in the Eastern church and everyone looks forward to the Pascha meal--it's a major feast!

Article here about fasting in the Orthodox tradition by Kallistos Ware and Mother Mary: http://www.omhksea.org/2013/04/the-true-nature-of-fasting-by-bishop-kallistos-ware-and-mother-mary/