Fasting is an integral part of the Christian Orthodox faith, offering believers an opportunity to grow closer to God. One significant fasting period is the Apostles' Fast. Let's dive deep into its history, timing, purpose, and the practical aspects of observing this important spiritual discipline.
Most people have heard of Lent, but the Apostles’ Fast often flies under the radar—even though it’s one of the oldest and most important fasts in Orthodox Christianity. In fact, Christians have kept it since the first generation of the Church.
The fast grew directly out of the events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles: after Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples at Pentecost—a feast we sometimes call the birthday of the Church because it marks the moment the gospel started to spread.
Once that celebration ended, the apostles didn’t rest on their laurels. They prayed, fasted, and asked, “What next, Lord?” From that point on, fasting was linked to big decisions, missionary journeys, and the daily rhythm of Christian life. By keeping the Apostles’ Fast today, we reconnect with those early heroes and invite the same Spirit to guide us.
Read more about the Apostles' fast on WikiPedia
1. What is the purpose of the fast of the apostles?
The Apostles' Fast honors the Apostles Peter and Paul and commemorates their leadership and sacrifice in spreading the gospel. According to biblical references, the fast is linked to the time when the apostles were sent out to evangelize, as seen in Luke 5:35, where Jesus mentions:
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.
This fasting period helps Christian believers remember the dedication of the apostles and reflect on their own spiritual journey.
Here’s why it still matters:
- Building unity. Whether you worship in Nairobi or Nashville, keeping the same food rules at the same time links you to a global family preparing for the feast.
- Seeking direction. The apostles never launched a mission without first humbling themselves. Fasting clears mental clutter so we can hear the Holy Spirit.
- Honoring sacrifice. June 29—the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul—anchors the fast. Their martyrdom and tireless work remind today’s Christian believers that spreading the gospel costs something.
- Living gratitude. By trimming our plates, we say “thank you” for Pentecost’s power and turn celebration into action.
2. What are the rules for the apostle fast?
Unlike Great Lent, which is fixed at forty days, this fast floats. It begins on the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints (the first Sunday following Feast of Pentecost) and ends on June 29. Because the date of Easter shifts, the fast can last anywhere from one to forty-two days.
Weekly pattern:
- Wednesday and Fridays: Strict fast days - no fish, oil, dairy products, or wine allowed.
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs.
Remember, local customs vary. Before you begin, check with your serving priests or holy father. Health issues, pregnancy, or heavy physical labor may call for adjustments. In Orthodoxy, obedience and mercy always outweigh hard-nosed rule-keeping.
3. What can I eat during the Apostles fast?
The good news: summer produce is at its peak during this season.
Here’s how to keep meals satisfying:
- Grains & starches: quinoa, brown rice, barley, or baked potatoes provide staying power.
- Vegetables & fruit: load up on tomatoes, peppers, berries, watermelon, and leafy greens. Roast veggies in olive oil on permitted days; steam them on stricter ones.
- Plant proteins: beans, lentils, and chickpeas turned into stews, salads, or hummus.
- Fish: cod, tilapia, or salmon on allowed days. A simple lemon-herb rub keeps prep easy.
A sample day might look like this: overnight oats with almond milk for breakfast; a lentil-and-spinach soup for lunch; grilled veggie skewers and quinoa for dinner; frozen banana “nice cream” for dessert.
If the calendar confuses you, set a rhythm: Monday and Wednesday fully vegan, Tuesday and Thursday with oil, Friday extra light, Saturday and Sunday with fish. Planning ahead cuts stress and prevents last-minute pizza orders.
4. What did the Apostles say about fasting?
Scripture never treats fasting as an optional extra.
- Acts 13:2-3 – While believers worshiped and fasted, the Spirit said, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul.”
- Acts 14:23 – Paul and Barnabas appointed elders with prayer and fasting, tying leadership to self-denial.
- 2 Cor 11:27 – Paul lists “fastings often” among his trials, proving it was routine.
- Luke 5:35 – Jesus tells the wedding guests that once the Bridegroom departs, then they will fast—a hint the Church understood as marching orders.
Fathers like St John Chrysostom later echoed that tone, calling fasting “the change of every part of our life.” Today, the practice remains a tangible gospel response: we say no to good things for a season so we can say yes to God’s next assignment.
5. How many days did the Apostles fast?
Early writers trace the seed of this fast to the ten days between the Ascension and Pentecost, when the disciples waited in prayer. By the fourth century, the Church stretched it from Pentecost to June 29. Because Easter meanders across spring, the length changes every year:
- Early Easter (late March): the fast can run six solid weeks.
- Late Easter (mid-May): sometimes it’s barely more than a week.
That variability isn’t a mistake—it teaches flexibility. The calendar shifts, but the call to repentance and service stays firm. Think of the Apostles’ Fast as a summer tune-up before August’s Dormition Fast arrives.
Watch This Video
Here is a great video to watch on this topic:
Final Take Away
The Fast of the Apostles isn’t a relic locked in a museum; it’s a living invitation to slow down, simplify, and let the Spirit shape your next move—just as He once guided Peter, Paul, and the Church throughout its first decade.
If you’re new, begin with small steps: trade soda for water, read one chapter of the New Testament, and share the saved cash with someone in need. If you’re seasoned, aim to attend an extra weekday liturgy or memorize a psalm. On June 29, break bread with friends, thank God for every victory, and ask the Lord Jesus to keep using you in your corner of the world.
Have a favorite fast-friendly recipe or a question about the rules? Drop it below. Your comment might be the nudge another reader needs to walk this ancient path toward the glory of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jesus placed such importance on fasting in Luke 5 : 35. He told John’s followers, “The days will come when the Bridegroom is taken away, and then they will fast.” After His Ascension, the first believers treated those words as a standing command: while we wait for Christ’s return, we fast, pray, and keep watch.
The New Testament shows fasting woven through apostolic life, not confined to one scene. The Eleven fasted and prayed between the Ascension and Pentecost (Acts 1 : 14). Paul spent three food-less days after meeting Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9 : 9). Peter was hungry from fasting when his rooftop vision opened the Church to Gentiles (Acts 10 : 9-10). In Antioch, the Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul “while they were worshiping and fasting” (Acts 13 : 2-3). Soon after, the same pair ordained elders “with prayer and fasting” in each new parish (Acts 14 : 23), a pattern that guided leadership during the Church’s first decade. Paul later recalls going “without food” in a storm at sea (Acts 27 : 33-35) and speaks of “fastings often” in his letters (2 Cor 11 : 27).
Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and the other apostles fasted. Scripture presents them as leaders of the first Church who provided leadership by example. Their practice spread to every believer, making fasting a normal feature of apostolic life—and a discipline the Orthodox Church still treasures today.
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