[Mears]

When I was a kid, in the 1940s,fainting was routine because of the fasting rules.

.

[Calvin Locke]

I recall reading a biography of Ben Franklin. When he escaped to Philly, he went to Quaker services. The services were particularly long, and they had "goons" with staffs patrolling the aisles.

Those that fell asleep would be not-so-gently prodded awake.

[wardaddy]

And no AC

[HandyDandy]

As a youngster, my head hit the pew in front of me on two occasions. You are probably on to something with the “fasting”. I also recall altar boys keeling over more frequently than the congregation.

[353FMG]

I do IF(intermittent fasting) as part of my diabetic diet, which is much more strenuous than Friday fasting, but have never passed out.