Fasting is not merely a diet but a profound spiritual journey that guides us closer to God. For Orthodox Christians, this journey involves embracing fasting periods that combine abstention from certain foods with prayer and reflection. If you're new to Orthodoxy or seeking to deepen your faith, understanding these rules can transform not just how you eat, but how you live spiritually.
🕊️ When and Why Fast?
Fasting is rooted deeply in the Orthodox traditions, passed down by the early church fathers. It prepares us for Holy Communion and major events such as Great Lent. We recognize that the rules that relate to fasting can sometimes overwhelm both newcomers and seasoned practitioners alike, which is why we have crafted this guide, which we hope will help simplify your fasting regimen so you can focus more on prayer and reflection rather than getting bogged down by the details.
So, before we move on to the next section, check out this great video on fasting by Stephan @ Patristix for an overview of what it means to fast:
And to learn more about the each of the main Orthodox fasts, read these posts:
Learn more about The Fasts →
🌾 Pick Your Ideal Fasting Plan
Now that you know about fasting, it is time to pick a fasting plan. Here, we outline various fasting plans that cater to different levels of intensity and commitment. Whether you're new to Orthodoxy or seeking to deepen your existing practice, you'll find a fasting regime that resonates with your spiritual goals and physical capabilities.
Here are the main fasting plans:
1. Standard Fasting
1. Standard Fasting: Best For Regular Parishioners
Most Orthodox parishes follow a standard fasting plan, which includes abstaining from meat, dairy, eggs, wine, and oil. This plan is designed to be accessible to most people, encouraging consistent participation in the Friday fast. It's a manageable approach that allows you to focus on prayer and reflection throughout the day without the burden of extensive dietary changes.
2. Intermediate Fasting
2. Modified Fasting: Best for Those with Health Concerns
For those with dietary restrictions or health concerns, a modified fasting plan can be adopted. This might include smaller meals or partial fasts, where one might consume vegetarian meals without strict adherence to all fasting rules. The key is to follow common sense and to maintain the spirit of fasting while accommodating individual needs. This plan allows for flexibility, ensuring that you can still partake in the Friday fasts and experience their numerous benefits. Consult with your spiritual advisor at your local church for further guidance to ensure that it aligns with your personal spiritual journey.
3. Strict Ascetic Fasting
3. Strict Ascetic Fasting: Best For Monastic Practice
The strict fast ascetic plan is best suited for those seeking a more rigorous spiritual discipline, such as priests, monks, and individuals deeply devoted to their spiritual practice. This plan involves abstaining from all animal products, including fish, and sometimes even oil and wine. It requires a high level of commitment and is often practiced by monastics or those who are dedicated to enhancing their spiritual journey. Observing this plan over consecutive Fridays can lead to profound spiritual insights and a deeper communion with God.
Whether you are fasting for the first time or following the strictest ascetic guidelines, the focus should always be on seeking spiritual growth and closer communion with God.
🍽️ General Rules of Fasting
Now that you picked your fasting plan, let's get into the general rules of fasting:
1. What is Allowed and Not Allowed?
1. What is Allowed and Not Allowed?
Many Orthodox Christians find it challenging to navigate the complex rules of fasting, often feeling lost about what they can and cannot eat. To address this issue, we've put together a clear and concise guide that outlines the foods allowed and those to avoid during fasting periods. This resource aims to simplify your fasting practices, allowing you to focus more on your spiritual journey and less on dietary details.
Foods Allowed
During fasting periods, Orthodox Christians primarily consume:
🥦 Vegetables
- Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, collard greens
- Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes
- Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
- Alliums: Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots
- Squashes: Butternut squash, zucchini, pumpkin
- Others: Peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, asparagus
🍎 Fruits
- Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits
- Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
- Stone Fruits: Peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries
- Tropical Fruits: Bananas, mangoes, pineapples, papayas
- Apples and Pears: Various types of apples and pears
- Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew
🌽 Grains
- Whole Grains: Brown rice, whole wheat, barley, millet, oats
- Refined Grains: White rice, pasta, white bread (typically less encouraged in favor of whole grains)
- Pseudocereals: Quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth
🍠 Legumes
- Beans: Black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans
- Lentils: Brown, green, red, and yellow lentils
- Peas: Green peas, chickpeas, split peas
- Other Legumes: Soybeans, peanuts (also categorized under nuts)
🥜 Nuts
- Tree Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios
- Seed Nuts: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds
- Nut Butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter (without additives)
These kinds of foods provide necessary nutrients without violating fasting rules.
Latest fasting recipes:
Try out some more Fast Friendly Recipes →
Foods Not Allowed
Typically, the following are not consumed:
🍖 Meat Products
- Red Meat: Beef, pork, lamb, venison
- Poultry: Chicken, turkey, duck
- Processed Meats: Sausages, bacon, deli slices
- Seafood: All types of fish with backbones, shellfish (allowed in some traditions during specific fasts)
🧀 Dairy Products
- Milk: Cow's milk, goat's milk, sheep's milk
- Cheese: All types of cheese, including soft and hard cheeses
- Yogurt: Regular yogurt, Greek yogurt
- Cream: Heavy cream, sour cream, cream cheese
- Butter: Includes all animal-derived butter
🥚 Eggs
- Chicken Eggs: The most common type, used in most cooking and baking
- Other Eggs: Duck eggs, quail eggs, and any other type of bird egg
These are avoided as they are considered richer and more indulgent, aligning fasting with simplicity and modesty.
Special Considerations for Wine and Oil
Orthodox fasting traditions specifically restrict wine and olive oil during most fasting periods, a practice deeply rooted in historical and spiritual significance. Traditionally, both were stored in animal skins, and their consumption during fasting was viewed as indulging in the remnants of these "meats." Today, while storage methods have evolved, the restriction remains to honor historical practices and to cultivate self-discipline.
Abstaining from wine, which contains alcohol, is particularly emphasized due to its potential to lead to overindulgence and spiritual distraction. Restricting olive oil, a symbol of richness and joy in cooking, further embraces the ascetic life, encouraging simpler meals that reflect a focus on spiritual nourishment rather than physical satisfaction.
2. Portion Control
2. 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.
3. Alcohol During Fasting Periods
3. Alcohol During Fasting Periods
When participating in Orthodox fasting, adherents often question what types of alcoholic drinks, if any, are permissible. The guidelines vary significantly depending on the specific day and the type of fast being observed. Here, we have gathered a list of what's allowed during fasting periods, specific fasting days that permit alcohol consumption, and exceptions throughout the year.
Allowed Alcohol and Their Consumption Days
Allowed Alcohol and Their Consumption Days:
→ 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.
→ 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.
Specific Days for Alcohol Consumption
→ Saturdays and Sundays (except during Holy Week, especially Holy Saturday)
→ 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.
Exceptions Throughout the Year
→ Great Lent and Holy Week: These periods observe the strictest fasting rules. Alcohol is generally not consumed, except for a small portion of wine on weekends as noted, to maintain the spirit of the fast which focuses on repentance and preparation for Easter.
→ Nativity Fast (Advent): Similar to Great Lent in its strictness, but the rules relax slightly towards the Nativity Feast (Christmas), particularly from December 20th to 24th, where wine and beer might be allowed depending on the jurisdiction's guidelines.
→ Apostles' Fast and Dormition Fast: These shorter fasting periods might allow for wine and beer consumption on weekends depending on the local church guidelines.
→ Regular Fasting Days (Wednesdays and Fridays): Wine and beer are typically not consumed on these days throughout the year, except when these days coincide with significant feast days exempt from the regular fasting rule.
4. General Exceptions to Fasting Rules
4. General Exceptions to Fasting Rules
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.
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.
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.
Now, if you are not sure what you can have on a specific day, we invite you to check St. Peter and Paul's Orthodox Church's Calendar. They have a very detailed calendar which lists that is allowed and not allowed on a daily basis.
Now, here is a video by by Fr. Josiah Trenham, which we recommend you watch:
For more on fasting, check out our latest posts:
Learn more About Fasting →
🍇 Guidelines During Fasting Seasons
Last thing we need to go over are the main fasting seasons:
1. Great Lent
This 40-day period before Easter is the longest and most intensive fasting period in the Orthodox Church.
More on Great Lent
Purpose and Spiritual Focus: To purify body and soul in preparation for Easter. Great Lent serves as a period of intensified prayer, repentance, and charitable giving.
Main Food Restrictions: Abstain from meat, dairy, eggs, and fish with a backbone. Olive oil and wine are only allowed on weekends.
Alcohol: Moderate consumption of wine and beer is permitted only on weekends.
Exceptions: Make accommodations for illness, travel, and hospitality; consult with a spiritual leader for guidance suited to personal circumstances.
2. Nativity Fast
This 40-day period before Christmas has similar food restrictions to Great Lent.
More on the Nativity Fast...
Purpose and Spiritual Focus: To prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christ's birth through prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness.
Main Food Restrictions: Similar to Great Lent with the avoidance of meat, dairy, and eggs. Fish is allowed only on certain feast days designated by the local ecclesiastical authority. Olive oil is permitted on weekends and major feast days.
Alcohol: Wine is permitted on weekends and major feast days, no hard liquor.
Exceptions: Include considerations for health and non-Orthodox social obligations, always in consultation with one's priest.
3. Apostles' Fast
This one to two week period takes place before the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
More on the Apostles' Fast...
Purpose and Spiritual Focus: Honors the Apostles and prepares the faithful spiritually through fasting and prayer.
Main Food Restrictions: Abstain from meat and dairy. Fish, olive oil, and wine may be allowed depending on the day and local traditions.
Alcohol: Moderate consumption of beer and wine might be allowed, particularly on weekends.
Exceptions: Adapt for personal health needs and social situations as necessary, under pastoral guidance.
4. Dormition Fast
This two-week period takes place before the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
More on the Dormition Fast...
Purpose and Spiritual Focus: Focuses on purity and devotion through prayer and fasting in anticipation of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Main Food Restrictions: Exclude meat, dairy, and eggs. Consumption of fish is restricted to certain days as per local tradition. Olive oil is permitted on weekends.
Alcohol: Wine is generally allowed on weekends; no hard liquor.
Exceptions: Allow for health-related modifications and social circumstances, with pastoral consultation.
More on the fasting periods in Orthodoxy →
Here are the main fasting periods in Orthodoxy:
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.
These fasting periods merge physical abstinence with spiritual practices, enriching believers' connections to the long-standing traditions of the Orthodox Church and enhancing their spiritual lives.
And do not forget to check out our Fasting Calendar here.
📘 Recommendations for Beginners
Now, for those who are new to fasting, especially during the extended fasting seasons, it's important to start with manageable commitments that harmonize with both spiritual growth and daily responsibilities.
1. Starting Up Fasting Periods
Wednesday and Friday Fasts
- Guidelines: The tradition prescribes abstaining from meat, dairy, and eggs on these days. If this is too challenging, begin by eliminating one type of food, such as red meat or sweets, to cultivate discipline gradually.
- Eating Times: If fasting for the entire day is daunting, aim to fast until the ninth hour (about 3 PM). This practice not only follows canonical guidance but also eases you into the rhythm of fasting without overwhelming you.
Fasting Plan for Longer Fasting Seasons
- Great Lent and Other Seasons: Start by removing meat and alcohol from your diet, adding fish and wine only on weekends if this aligns with your health and spiritual needs. During the first week, try to follow the fasting rules more strictly to set the tone for the rest of the period.
- Daily Meals: Reduce the number of full meals. For example, if you normally eat three times a day, reduce it to two smaller, simpler meals.
2. Prayer Plan
Here are some suggestions on how to incorporate prayer into a busy routine:
- Morning and Evening Prayers: Begin and end your day with short prayers. The Orthodox tradition provides morning and evening prayers that you can read from a prayer book or app.
- Prayer Before Meals: Saying a short prayer before meals refocuses the act of eating as a nourishing blessing, aligning with fasting's purpose.
- Weekly Church Services: Attend at least one service one week if possible. This practice deepens your spiritual connection and supports your fasting journey.
Latest posts on prayers:
Check out these prayers for the fast →
3. Seeking Guidance
Engaging with your church community and seeking guidance from your spiritual fathers can provide you with support and answers to any questions you may have about fasting.
Here are some questions which can help you better understand how to fast ->
1. What does a typical fasting day look like?
2. How should I modify my fasting if I have health issues?
3. What prayers are recommended during fasting periods?
4. Can you suggest any readings on fasting and its spiritual benefits?
4. Education
Educating yourself about the theological and practical aspects of fasting can enrich your experience. Consider reading these resources:
- Recommended websites: https://www.antiochian.org/
- Recommended Apps: Ancient Faith Store App, Antiochan Events, Orthodox Study Bible
- Recommended readings below.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Orthodox fasting is more than just skipping certain foods—it's a deeply spiritual journey that brings us closer to God. When we set aside meats, dairy, and eggs and focus on prayer and reflection, we're not just changing our diet; we're deepening our spiritual lives. This journey teaches us moderation and temperance, particularly through the thoughtful consumption of wine and olive oil. During fasting seasons like Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, and the Apostles' Fast, we're invited to reflect and repent, preparing ourselves for important religious celebrations. These rules might seem strict, but they're flexible enough to accommodate health, travel, and social situations, ensuring everyone can join in meaningfully. By embracing these practices, we're not just cutting out certain foods; we're opening our hearts to a deeper connection with God, enriching our spiritual lives through sacrifice and self-discipline.
Frequently Asked Questions
During Orthodox fasting periods, you can eat vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and in some traditions, shellfish. Meat, dairy products, and eggs are generally excluded to adhere to the spiritual discipline of fasting.
Orthodox Christians fast from olive oil as a practice rooted in historical and spiritual significance, often reserved for stricter fasting days. Traditionally, olive oil, being a luxurious item, is avoided to embrace simplicity and enhance spiritual focus during fasting periods.
During Orthodox fasting, the consumption of alcohol, particularly hard liquor, is generally prohibited to maintain the fast's spirit of temperance. However, moderate consumption of wine or beer may be allowed on non-strict fast days, such as Saturdays, Sundays, and major feast days, depending on individual church guidelines.
Orthodox Christians fast during several key periods throughout the year, including Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, the Apostles' Fast, the Dormition Fast, and on most Wednesdays and Fridays. These fasting periods prepare believers for significant feasts and encourage spiritual reflection.
Orthodox Christians engage in regular fasting throughout the year, observing fasts weekly on Wednesday and Friday, and during designated fasting seasons, such as Great Lent and the Nativity Fast, among others. This regular practice helps deepen their spiritual commitments.
Orthodox Christians fast for 40 days during Great Lent and the Nativity Fast to mirror Christ’s 40-days of fasting in the desert. This period is a time for intensified prayer, repentance, and preparation for major Christian celebrations like Easter and Christmas.
Orthodox Christians fast on Wednesdays to commemorate the betrayal of Christ and on Fridays to honor His Crucifixion. These fasts serve as regular reminders of Christ's sacrifice and encourage moral and spiritual introspection.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, Orthodox Christians typically abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs. Depending on their spiritual guidance, they may also cut down on the number of meals or the amount of food consumed to foster a greater sense of spiritual discipline and focus.
During Lent, Orthodox Christians abstain from all meat and dairy products, as well as olive oil and wine except on certain days like weekends or major feast days, depending on local customs. This practice is part of the ascetic discipline to purify both body and soul in preparation for celebrating Easter.
Meatfare Sunday is the last day to eat meat before Easter, focusing on the theme of the Last Judgment. The following Sunday, Cheesefare Sunday, marks the final day dairy is consumed before Great Lent begins. Also known as Forgiveness Sunday, it emphasizes reconciliation and spiritual preparation for Lent, leading up to Easter.
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Garrett
Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However just imagine if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, your site could definitely be one of the greatest in its niche.
Wonderful blog!
Thierry
Hi Garrett,
Thanks so much for your awesome feedback on my "How To Fast: Orthodox Fasting Rules and Guidelines" post! I'm really glad you found the content valuable.
You know, I've actually been thinking about adding more photos and videos to the posts. I agree that it would make everything more engaging and fun. Your suggestion is a great reminder that this is something I should focus on, especially for a topic as important as fasting.
I'll definitely work on bringing in more visual content to add that extra "pop" to the blog. Thanks again for the encouragement and for being a part of the community!
Feel free to drop by anytime.
Best,
Thierry
Michelle
Hello All,
I am new to the Orthodox faith. Just learning and trying to enrich and grow in my walk with Jesus. I haven’t attended an Orthodox Church as of yet, but plan to. I have purchased an Orthodox study Bible. I am trying to learn about the fasting. I’m pretty sure I will be able to it as I eat once a day anyway. I just signed up for the email and am looking forward to learning more.
Thierry
Hi Michelle,
Welcome to the Orthodox faith! It's fantastic to have you here with us. I'm so excited for you as you start this beautiful journey. Getting an Orthodox Study Bible is a great move, and diving into fasting is an amazing way to deepen your spiritual life.
Don't worry if it feels a bit overwhelming at first; we're all here to support each other. If you have any questions or need any tips, just reach out. We're a community, and we're here to help each other grow closer to Jesus.
Thanks for signing up for the email updates! I hope you find lots of useful and inspiring info.
Blessings and best of luck on your journey,
Thierry
Britney
My brother suggested I might like this web
site. He was totally right. This post truly made my day.
You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Thierry
Hi Britney,
I'm so glad your brother suggested the website and that you found the post helpful! It makes my day to hear that my post provided you with the information you were looking for. Fasting can be a complex topic, so I'm thrilled to know the guide made things clearer for you. If you have any more questions or need further tips, feel free to reach out anytime. Thanks for your lovely comment!
Best,
Thierry