01Section 1
What Do Orthodox Christians Fast From?
- Orthodox fasting traditionally means abstaining from meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil on designated days.
- The strictness of the fast varies by day: Wednesdays and Fridays are regular fast days; Great Lent involves stricter observance.
- Fasting applies not only to food but to entertainment, idle talk, and other worldly pleasures.
- The Church provides guidelines but recognizes individual circumstances — spiritual fathers help discern an appropriate rule.
02Section 2
Why Do Orthodox Christians Fast?
- Fasting disciplines the body so the soul can pray more freely and with greater intensity.
- It is a form of repentance, expressing sorrow for sin and longing for God.
- The Church fasts together in unity — fasting is a communal, not merely private, act.
- Christ Himself fasted forty days and nights and said certain spirits 'come out only by prayer and fasting' (Mark 9:29).
03Section 3
The Fasting Calendar
- Great Lent: forty days before Pascha — the most solemn fast of the year.
- Apostles' Fast: variable length, ending June 29 (feast of Sts. Peter and Paul).
- Dormition Fast: August 1–14, preceding the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
- Nativity Fast: November 15 – December 24, preparing for Christmas.
- Weekly fasting: Wednesdays (betrayal of Christ) and Fridays (crucifixion).
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