Dive into the heart of Orthodox fasting with us! From easy fast friendly recipes, perfect for the whole family, to a comprehensive fasting calendar and soulful prayers, we've got everything you need to embrace this spiritual journey with joy and deliciousness.
The Fasts
Discover the profound meanings and spiritual practices of each Orthodox fasting season. And learn the historical and biblical foundations that shape these sacred times.
Fast-Friendly Recipes
Discover our treasure trove of simple yet delicious fast-friendly recipes that cater to the whole family, designed to give you practical advice and alternatives to ensure that your spiritual journey is as tasty as it is enriching:
Try out some more Fast Friendly Recipes →
Orthodox Fasting Rules
Not sure what you can or can't have? We've got you covered! During fasting periods we follow specific dietary rules and focus on spiritual growth through practices like attending the Divine Liturgy and reflecting on scripture.
Here is a general overview of the general rules of fasting in Orthodox Christianity:
Foods Allowed & Not Allowed
1. Foods Allowed: vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, etc.
2. Foods Not Allowed: eating of meat products, dairy Products, eggs, etc.
Check out our post on Orthodox fasting rules for more detailed rules.
Portion Control
The importance of portion control during fasting extends beyond physical health, serving as a spiritual exercise that reflects the Orthodox Christian commitment to moderation and temperance. By limiting the quantity of food, the faithful actively resist the sin of gluttony and practice self-restraint, aligning their physical hunger with spiritual hunger for God.
This control is a practical application of the spiritual principle that less is more when it comes to body nourishment during fasting periods. It challenges individuals to reflect on the difference between eating to live and living to eat. In reducing food intake, one makes room for increased spiritual activities such as prayer, charity, and reflection on personal transgressions, thereby fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Maintaining these fasting traditions—like abstaining from wine and oil and practicing portion control—serves not only to honor the ascetic roots of Orthodoxy but also to reinforce a lifestyle that prioritizes spiritual growth over physical indulgence. These practices are designed to cleanse both body and soul, preparing the faithful for the holy mysteries and the transformative journey of Great Lent and Holy Week.
Alcohol During Fasting Periods
1. Hard Liquor: Orthodox fasting rules generally prohibit the consumption of hard liquor throughout the fasting periods due to its high alcohol content, which is seen as contrary to the spirit of fasting, which emphasizes temperance and moderation.
2. Wine and Beer: A modest consumption of wine or beer is allowed on non-strict fast days, typically Saturdays and Sundays, and on major feast days like the Annunciation, regardless of whether they fall within a fasting period. This moderation is in line with the Orthodox principle of oikonomia, or dispensation, which provides flexibility based on individual circumstances.
3. Specific days that allow alcoholic drinks:
-> Saturdays and Sundays (except during Holy Week, especially Holy Saturday)
-> Annunciation (March 25th), regardless of which day of the week it falls on
-> Feast days that traditionally include a celebration, such as local patronal feast days or major saint days, unless they fall on a strict fasting day like Good Friday.
Check out our post on Orthodox fasting rules for more detailed rules.
General Exceptions to Fasting
1. Health and Lifestyle Considerations
- Illness or Poor Health: Individuals who are unwell or have medical dietary needs are exempt from strict fasting to protect their health.
- Travel and Hospitality: Travelers and those receiving non-Orthodox hospitality may adjust fasting expectations to maintain health and social harmony.
- Pregnancy and Children: Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and small children are typically exempt from strict fasts.
2. Other Considerations
- Elderly and those with dietary restrictions: Adjustments are made to ensure that fasting does not exacerbate health issues.
- Work Requirements: Those in physically demanding jobs may be allowed a relaxation in fasting norms to maintain energy and safety.
Disclaimer
In all cases, consulting with a spiritual leader is advised to ensure that fasting practices are healthful and spiritually beneficial. These adjustments ensure that while the body fasts, the spirit is nurtured, making Orthodox fasting a holistic approach to spiritual enlightenment and physical stewardship.
For more detailed fasting rules, visit our post about Orthodox Fasting Rules →
More on Fasting
Here are some helpful posts to guide you through the fasting seasons:
Prayers and Fasting
Find comfort and spiritual depth with our curated prayers for every moment of your fasting day, from dawn to dusk.
More on prayers for the fast →
Current and Upoming Fasts
december, 2024
Main fasting events in our calendar
Keep track of fasting events and celebrations within the Antiochian Orthodox Christian tradition with our comprehensive calendar:
Communion Fast
This fast is done weekly, throughout the year. It begins on Saturday evening and continues until Holy Communion is received on Sunday. Orthodox Christians are not supposed to have food or drink (including water). This fast focus on preparing the faithful to partake in the Eucharist.
Wednesdays and Fridays
Dedicated to remembering Christ’s betrayal (Wednesday) and Crucifixion (Friday), these weekly fasts encourage ongoing spiritual reflection and devotion.
Great Lent and Holy Week
This period is the most stringent, beginning on Clean Monday and spanning 40 days up to Holy Week. It emphasizes repentance and a closer connection to the Lord and the Holy Spirit. During this time, participants increase their prayer life and devote more attention to divine services, preparing spiritually for Pascha.
The Fast of the Holy Apostles
Beginning the second Monday after Pentecost and lasting until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, this fast varies in length but is dedicated to honoring the apostles.
The Nativity Fast (Advent)
Running from November 15 to December 24. This period readies believers for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas day. It emphasizes spiritual renewal and preparation.
The Dormition Fast
This fast from August 1 to August 15 honors the Virgin Mary, culminating in the celebration of her Dormition (Assumption).
Eve of Theophany
A strict fast on January 5 that prepares the faithful for the celebration of Theophany (Epiphany), which commemorates Jesus Christ’s baptism.
Add these fasting dates to your calendar→
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Meet the Author
Hi! I'm Thierry (with my wife on the picture), a family man and food enthusiast, who found a new spiritual home in Orthodoxy. Join me as I share how leaving the Catholic Church for Orthodoxy has transformed my life and that of my family.
Learn about my journey to Orthodoxy →
Insights Into Orthodoxy
Join me on a heartfelt journey into Orthodoxy where I share personal insights, experiences, and reflections that have shaped my spiritual path. This category offers a candid look at my transition and ongoing walk in faith, providing encouragement and understanding to those on a similar path or curious about the Orthodox Christian way. Let's explore the depths of faith and tradition together, one story at a time.
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Top 10 Fasting FAQs
Orthodox Christians engage in several fasting periods throughout the year, with the most significant ones being the Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, the Dormition Fast, and the Apostles' Fast. Great Lent starts on Clean Monday and extends until Palm Sunday, just before Easter. The Nativity Fast (or Christmas Fast) begins on November 15th and ends on December 24th. Additionally, Orthodox Christians fast on most Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year to honor the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus.
Orthodox fasting involves more than just abstaining from certain types of food. It includes increased prayer, participation in church services, charitable deeds, and personal reflection. The quantity and types of food eaten are reduced, with many adhering to one meal a day after sunset during the strictest fast days.
During Orthodox fasting periods, the consumption of meat, dairy products, and eggs is typically avoided. Olive oil and wine are also restricted on certain days. Instead, the diet consists mostly of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. On some days, fish may be permitted. It's crucial to consult with a spiritual father or a guide who understands the specific rules for each fasting season.
The 40-day fast, particularly observed during Great Lent, reflects Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the wilderness as recounted in the New Testament. This period is a time of preparation for Holy Week and Easter, meant to purify both body and soul.
Fasting from olive oil during certain fasting periods is a practice rooted in the tradition of ascetic fasting, aiming to simplify one's lifestyle and diet. Olive oil was historically considered a luxury, and abstaining from it is seen as a form of self-discipline to enhance spiritual growth.
Orthodox Christians fast on Wednesdays in remembrance of Judas' betrayal of Christ and on Fridays to commemorate the Crucifixion of Jesus. These days are observed with specific dietary restrictions as a form of spiritual discipline and remembrance throughout the year.
The fasting period for Easter, or Great Lent, begins seven weeks before Easter Sunday. It starts on Clean Monday and concludes with the Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. This leads into Holy Week, which has its own strict fasting rules culminating in Easter.
During Great Lent, Orthodox Christians abstain from all animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. Additionally, olive oil and wine are usually restricted, except on certain relaxation days such as weekends or feast days like the Annunciation.
The Lenten fast involves abstaining from meat, dairy, and eggs throughout the period. Olive oil and wine are also avoided on weekdays. Orthodox Christians are encouraged to limit their meals, with many opting for a single meal a day in the evening. The focus is also on spiritual practices such as prayer, confession, and attending the Presanctified Liturgies and Divine Liturgies offered during this season.
The Nativity Fast, or Christmas Fast, begins on November 15th and ends on December 24th. This period is marked by abstinence from meat and dairy products, with variations in the fasting rules regarding fish, wine, and oil depending on the day and local traditions.
