How to Fast: A Guide For New Christian Orthodox

Have you ever started something new with a burst of excitement, only to find yourself struggling to keep up as the novelty wore off? That’s how fasting might feel for many new Orthodox Christians. But here’s the good news: fasting isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s a spiritual marathon, not a sprint, and every step you take brings you closer to God. Let’s dive into the rich and transformative practice of Orthodox fasting together, one step at a time.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve just taken a bold step into the beautiful world of Orthodox Christianity, and you’re eager to learn how to fast in a way that goes beyond just food restrictions. Yes, fasting can be tough—and maybe even a little daunting—but trust me, it’s absolutely worth it. In this guide, we’ll walk together through the basics of Orthodox fasting, the deeper meaning behind it, and how to keep your spirit and motivation up through the longest time of fasting periods.

Let’s get started!

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✨ The Roots of Orthodox Fasting

1. Understanding the Basics

Fasting has existed among believers for thousands of years. In the Old Testament, the prophet Daniel abstained from rich foods as a sign of devotion. In the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ fasted for forty days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry. Since then, the early Christians—inspired by saint Paul, the church fathers, and the guidance of his spiritual fathers—adopted various fasting seasons of the church, including Great Lent, the Apostles’ Fast, the Dormition Fast, and the Nativity Fast.

Core Motivations for Fasting

Spiritual Growth: Fasting serves as an act of humility and reliance on God.
Self-Discipline: It helps train us in saying “no” to our urges—whether that’s comfort food, excessive screen time, or unhealthy desires.
Solidarity: We unite ourselves with the entire Orthodox tradition, from the early church to saints sunday in modern times.

2. The “Letter” Versus the “Spirit” of the Fasting Rule

You’ll often hear about the importance of not following a literal interpretation of the rule. There’s a joke among some Orthodox Christians that you can find fully vegan donuts deep-fried in enough vegetable oils to feed a small army, but it’s still technically “fasting-friendly.” If we focus only on the letter of the fasting rule (the minimal standards of what you can and cannot eat), we might forget that the spirit of the fast is about drawing closer to God.

Balancing the Rules and the Heart

Look at your intentions: If you’re seeking out extravagant vegan feasts, question what’s driving you—real devotion or taste-bud satisfaction?
Focus on transformation: The strictest fasting season of the year (like Great Lent) is designed to deepen your prayer life and bring you closer to Christ.

⏰ When Do We Fast?

1. Major Fasting Periods in the Orthodox Church

Great Lent: Lasting for sixth weeks plus Holy Week, this is the most intense period of fasting, repentance, and preparation for Holy Communion at Pascha. It begins on Clean Monday and ends on Holy Saturday (with Palm Sunday and Holy Friday in between).
Nativity Fast: Also called Advent, it’s a 40-day fast leading up to Christmas.
Dormition Fast: A two-week fast in August, leading up to the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
Apostles’ Fast (or Fast of the Holy Apostles): Varies in length, leading up to the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul.

Outside these “big four,” there are also weekly fasting days, typically Wednesdays and Fridays (often called the Fridays of the year) because Wednesday commemorates Judas’ betrayal and Friday the Crucifixion. Additionally, the Church designates strict fasting days for certain feasts like the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.

2. Fast-Free Weeks and Exceptions

There are several fast-free weeks throughout the year (like the period after Pascha and Cheesefare Week leading up to Cheesefare Sunday). These weeks let Orthodox families take a break from ascetic restrictions, enjoy meat products if they wish, and reflect on the spiritual benefits of the fasting discipline they just completed.

Handling Special Situations

Small Children and the Elderly: The general rules of fasting may not apply strictly to those in poor health or the very young. Always consult your priest.
Medical Conditions: If you have diabetes or are under strict medical supervision, you may need to modify your fast under the guidance of his spiritual fathers and medical professionals.
Major Feast Day Celebrations: Some feast days break a fast or lighten it, like the Feast of the Annunciation or the Feast of the Transfiguration—both allow olive oil and sometimes even fish.

❌ What Foods Do We Avoid—or Enjoy?

1. Why We Avoid Meat, Dairy, and (Sometimes) Olive Oil

Traditionally, Orthodox fasting calls for abstinence from animal products such as meat products, eggs, and dairy products during strict fasting day or seasons like Great Lent. Olive oil is also restricted on certain days. The idea is to simplify our diet to remind ourselves that life isn’t about indulging our senses but about focusing on God. Abstaining from these foods, which typically bring us joy, fosters a sense of sacrifice and reliance on Christ.

But Why Shellfish?

Here’s a fun fact: shellfish like shrimp or crab is often allowed even during the strictest fasting season of the year. Historically, shellfish were considered “poor man’s food” and were easy to gather without shedding the blood of our Lord’s creatures (in the sense that shellfish are not considered to have blood the same way land animals do). This is also an example of how the Church Fathers set some broad rules around what was culturally understood to be a humbler food choice.

2. Alcoholic Beverages and Olive Oil on Weekends

You might wonder why, on some days of fasting, the church forbids alcoholic beverages and olive oil during the week but allows them on weekends or certain feast days like the Saturday night Vespers service or the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee leading into Great Lent. The idea is to acknowledge the joy of the Lord’s day (Saturday evenings transitioning into Sunday, the day of Resurrection). Fasting is not about punishing ourselves; it’s about showing reverence and building self-control.

The Practical Side

Check your calendar: Each jurisdiction can have slightly different traditions.
When in doubt, ask: If you’re not sure whether you can have olive oil on a certain day, talk to your priest for guidance.
Remember the spirit: Use moderation—even if the rules permit something, it doesn’t mean we should overindulge.

🔥 Moving Beyond Food: Fasting From Passions

1. Why Focus on Passions?

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t struggle much with food, you might ask, “Why bother with an ascetic fasting discipline?” The practice of fasting is about training our hearts to become more like Christ by relinquishing all destructive passions—anger, jealousy, pride, lust, greed, and so on. Sexual relations within marriage aren’t considered a sin, but for certain strict fast days, couples may choose to refrain as a spiritual exercise. The same principle applies to other areas of life.

2. The 7 Deadly Sins and How They Relate to Fasting

Historically, the Church has spoken of seven deadly passions: Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, and Sloth. St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil both emphasize the necessity of combating these sins one day at a time.

Pride

Pride

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own importance that we forget we owe everything to God. Fasting helps us remember our dependence on the Lord and teaches us humility as we deny our personal cravings.

Practical Steps to Overcome Pride:

Practice humility by silently accepting correction when you’re wrong.
Confess prideful thoughts in the sacrament of Confession.

Envy

Envy

Envy sneaks in when we compare ourselves to others and feel bitter about their blessings. Fasting encourages gratitude for what we have and reminds us that God provides for each person in His own way.

Practical Steps to Overcome Envy:

Celebrate others’ successes by offering genuine congratulations.
Pray for those you feel envious of, asking God to bless them.

Gluttony

Gluttony

While fasting is often associated with resisting food, gluttony covers any overindulgence. It’s not just about eating too much; it’s also about wanting the “best” food all the time. Spiritual fasting helps us refocus on God’s Word instead of our appetites.

Practical Steps to Overcome Gluttony:

Keep your number of meals consistent and avoid binge eating.
Opt for modest, balanced full meals rather than constant snacking.

Lust

Lust

Lust isn’t limited to physical desires; it also includes impure thoughts or an excessive focus on anything that draws our hearts away from God. During fasts, we learn to discipline our minds and direct our desires toward holiness.

Practical Steps to Overcome Lust:

Focus on prayer life during moments of temptation.
Seek accountability with a trusted friend or spiritual father.

Anger

Anger

Anger can build up over time or burst out in a single moment. Fasting forces us to slow down, practice patience, and address the roots of our frustrations before they boil over.

Practical Steps to Overcome Anger:

Practice breathing exercises and short prayers (like the Jesus Prayer).
Give yourself a “cool-down” period before responding to frustrating situations.

Greed

Greed

Greed isn’t just about money—it’s a constant need to have more. Fasting encourages us to give rather than receive. We learn to rely on God’s abundant mercy instead of our own ability to accumulate things.

Practical Steps to Overcome Greed:

Practice almsgiving generously during the fasting seasons of the church.
Simplify your possessions and donate excess items to those in need.

Sloth

Sloth

Sloth (or spiritual laziness) keeps us from prayer, reading Scripture, or serving others. Fasting involves active steps that keep our hearts awake and focused on growing closer to God.

Practical Steps to Overcome Sloth:

Set small daily goals—start by reading the Bible for five minutes.
Get involved in divine liturgy and presanctified liturgies to keep your spiritual life active.

When you fast from food, remember that it’s a tool to help you fast from passions too. Paying attention to these seven deadly sins gives you a chance to let God transform your heart and heal your deepest wounds. If you begin to notice improvement in these areas—be it fewer angry outbursts, a more giving spirit, or less time wasted scrolling through social media—you’ll know your fast is bearing spiritual fruit.

✅ Practical Steps for Success

1. Target 1–3 Passions at a Time

Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to fix everything in one go. If you attempt a total fast from all your passions at once, you’ll likely fall and feel discouraged.

How to Choose Your Battles

Identify your biggest struggle: Is it overspending, social media addiction, or impatience?
Pick up to three passions to focus on during a particular fasting discipline (like the Lenten Triodion period).
Seek accountability: Talk with your spiritual advisor or a trusted Orthodox friend.

2. Replace, Don’t Just Remove

Let’s say you’re fasting from social media. You’ll have extra time, so fill it with purposeful activities. Pray, read Scripture, play board games with the kids, call a relative you haven’t talked to in a while. If you merely remove a passion without replacing it, you’ll likely slip back into old habits.

Possible Fasting Replacements

Prayer for Social Media: Each time you think about checking notifications, say a short prayer.
Acts of Kindness for Anger: Do one kind act each day for someone you find annoying or difficult.
Healthy Activities for Laziness: Go for a family walk, read a spiritual book, or volunteer at church.

3. Incorporating Family and Community

Fasting isn’t a solo project. In the Orthodox Christian Church, we fast together. This communal aspect helps you stay motivated and accountable. Even within your home, invite your spouse or your children to participate in age-appropriate ways. For example, kids might give up sweets for a day or limit their video game time.

Tips for Family Fasting

Cook simple meals together: Instead of focusing on what you can’t eat, explore new recipes using beans, grains, and vegetable oils.
Have family prayer: Let the kids share prayer requests.
Celebrate feast days: On feast days, lighten the fast in joy and gratitude.

📖 Special Circumstances

1. Navigating Social Events

What if you have a birthday party or wedding during the fasting days? The Orthodox Church recognizes that real life is full of curveballs. Sometimes it’s a major feast day or a big family celebration. Approach this with discernment:

Guidelines for Social Gatherings

Ask in advance if fasting foods will be available.
If nothing is available, do your best without making a scene—humility is key.
Resume the fast on the following days once the event is over.

2. Poor Health and Medical Needs

If you’re pregnant, nursing, on a special diet, or in poor health, it’s vital to consult your doctor and spiritual father. You might need to eat adequate amounts of other foods like fish or chicken if your health requires it. The holy spirit guides us to prioritize life and well-being, and the Church makes allowances for such scenarios.

📋 Final Take Away

Fasting isn’t about impressing others with how strictly you can avoid meat products or how flawlessly you follow the rules of fasting on strict fasting day. It’s about letting go of whatever is holding you back from God—be it animal products, social media, or a short temper—and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart. Orthodox Christians fast to grow spiritually, to fight our passions, and to align ourselves more closely with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. This journey is long and sometimes tough, but it’s also filled with joy and hope.

Remember:

Start simple: Focus on a few passions and the general rules of dietary fasting.
Seek community support: Whether it’s your family, your parish, or an online group, don’t do this alone.
Pray persistently: Make prayer the center of your fasting discipline.
Embrace growth: Expect to stumble, but get back up. The reward is a deeper connection to God.

I’d love to hear about your own experiences with fasting! If you have any tips, recipes, or reflections to share, feel free to leave a comment below. Let’s encourage one another in our spiritual life as we strive for the ultimate goal: union with God.

Wishing you a blessed and transformative fast!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When do Orthodox Christians fast?

The first thing to know is that Orthodoxy has several fasting periods throughout the year, such as the Great Fast (Lent) and the eve of Theophany. Beyond these main seasons, Wednesdays and Fridays are also set aside for fasting, except during a fast-free period (like after Pascha).

How do Orthodox fast for Lent?

During Lent, many follow a strict fasting rule, guided by the purpose of fasting: to draw closer to God. This can include attending services like the Presanctified Liturgy and avoiding certain kinds of foods. St. Basil and St. John Chrysostom both taught that Lent should help us focus on prayer and good works.

What do Orthodox fast from during Lent?

Most avoid eating of meat, dairy, and eggs on most days. There may be exceptions on weekends, feast days, or Holy Thursday. Seafood (minus shellfish) can be allowed in some traditions. The goal is not just to remove foods but to deepen our spiritual life.

Why do Orthodox fast on Wednesday and Friday?

Wednesday recalls Judas’s betrayal, and Friday remembers Christ’s Crucifixion. Abstaining from certain foods on these days helps believers keep the memory of Christ’s sacrifice alive, much like honoring the beheading of St. John on a particular day calls for special reflection.

How do Orthodox fast on Wednesday and Friday?

They typically avoid meat and other rich foods, practicing a form of Eucharistic fast before receiving Holy Communion. Many also attend services if possible, focusing on prayer instead of worldly comforts. Unlike the strict rules of the Great Fast, these weekly fasts vary slightly by region, but all maintain the same core idea: to honor the Lord with gratitude and humility.