When we became Christian Orthodox, we struggled to find simple and practical guides to fasting. Many resources were either too long and confusing or not practical. That's why we created this page on fasting in orthodox christianity — to make fasting knowledge accessible to everyone.
What are the Main Orthodox Fasts?
In this section, we’ve carefully curated essential knowledge from various Orthodox resources to help you better understand each fast and feel more comfortable in your fasting practice:
Read more posts about The Fasts →
Whether you're new to the faith or a long-time follower, you will find here all the knowledge you need to navigate the fasting periods.
Fasting Guides and Insights
Understanding the guidelines of Orthodox fasting is crucial for observing these spiritual practices properly. Here are some helpful posts to guide you through the fasting seasons:
- High Calories Vegan Foods to Avoid During Fasting
- Best Vegan Vitamins and Supplements for Fasting Seasons
- Why You Should Not Be on Social Media When Fasting
- The Different Fasting Types in Orthodox Christianity
- Didache: The Apostles Teaching on fasting and prayers (pdf)
- The Ultimate 3 Days a Week Plan for Fasting and Prayer
- 10 Benefits of Fasting and Prayer for Spiritual Growth
- What Are The Health Benefits of Prayer and Fasting?
- The Ultimate 40 Days Fasting and Prayer Guide
- How To Fast: Orthodox Fasting Rules and Guidelines
Read more Posts About Fasting →
These posts are special because they combine carefully curated information from celebrated authors and official resources with practical insights from our own fasting experiences. We've also included valuable suggestions gathered from other Orthodox Christians, making these posts both informative and practical for your fasting journey.
Understanding the Rules of Fasting
The rules of fasting in Orthodox Christianity are rooted in the teachings of the early Christians and the traditions of the Orthodox Church.
Here is a post that will guide you through the main Orthodox fasting rules:
What's in this guide?
Understanding the rules of fasting is key to observing this spiritual practice properly. When we started fasting, we struggled to find clear guidance on what was required. To help fellow Orthodox Christians, we’ve created a simple guide that outlines the rules of fasting.
In this guide, we delve into:
General Rules
The basic principles that govern fasting in the Orthodox Church, including the importance of physical abstinence and the spirit of the fast.
Types of Fasting
Learn about the standard fast, modified fast, and ascetic fasting, including strict fasting practices during specific days.
Kinds of Foods Allowed or Not Allowed
Discover what kinds of foods are permitted during fasting days and what to avoid, like meat products and dairy products. We also cover allowances of wine.
Spiritual Life
Understand how fasting is intertwined with other spiritual practices, such as good works, prayer, and the life of the Church, especially during significant periods like Lent.
Exceptions
Learn about the exceptions to fasting rules, such as allowances for children, the elderly, and those with medical conditions.
Other Informative Experiences:
Real-life examples and tips from our own fasting journey and the experiences of other Orthodox Christians, providing a practical and informative experience.
By understanding these rules, you can approach fasting with greater confidence and clarity, ensuring that your practice is both meaningful and aligned with Orthodox traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about fasting in Orthodox Christianity, along with informative answers to help you navigate this important spiritual practice:
Orthodox Christians observe several fasting periods throughout the year.
Some of the significant fasting periods include:
-Great Lent: A six-week period leading up to Holy Week and Pascha (Easter).
-Nativity Fast: The 40 days before Christmas.
-Dormition Fast: The first two weeks of August.
-Apostles' Fast: Leading up to the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
-Wednesdays and Fridays: Weekly fast days to commemorate the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In addition to these, there are specific fast days associated with various feast days and saints, as well as fast-free periods like the week following Pascha.
Orthodox Christians fast for Easter during Great Lent, which lasts for six weeks, followed by Holy Week. Great Lent begins on Clean Monday and includes several weeks of spiritual preparation, culminating in the celebration of Pascha (Easter). This significant fasting period involves abstaining from meat products, dairy products, and often includes restrictions on fish, olive oil, and wine.
Orthodox Christians fast on Wednesdays and Fridays to honor specific events in the life of Jesus Christ. Wednesdays commemorate the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, and Fridays commemorate His crucifixion. By abstaining from certain foods, such as meat products and dairy products, Orthodox Christians remind themselves of these pivotal events and align their spiritual lives with the sacrifices of Jesus.
During Orthodox fasts, the focus is on simple and humble meals.
The types of food commonly consumed include:
-Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh, frozen, or dried.
-Legumes: Lentils, beans, and chickpeas.
-Grains: Rice, quinoa, barley, and pasta (without egg or dairy).
-Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds.
-Plant-Based Oils: Vegetable oil and occasionally olive oil (depending on the fasting rules).
-Seafood: Shellfish and other non-finned sea creatures.
The goal is to avoid animal products and dairy products, and to limit the intake of olive oil and wine on strict fast days.
The 40-day fasting period, such as Great Lent and the Nativity Fast, has its roots in both the Old Testament and New Testament. This duration is symbolic, reflecting significant biblical events. For instance, Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, and Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai. The purpose of fasting for 40 days is to promote spiritual growth, self-discipline, and a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit. It allows Orthodox Christians to prepare themselves spiritually for major feast days, such as Pascha and the Nativity, and to seek a closer relationship with the Kingdom of God.
The purpose of fasting in Orthodox Christianity is multi-faceted. It is not just about physical abstinence from certain types of food but also about enhancing one's spiritual lives.
Fasting helps to:
-Develop Self-Discipline: By controlling food intake, one learns to control other aspects of life.
-Deepen Prayer Life: Fasting is often accompanied by increased prayer and participation in church services, such as the Presanctified Liturgy.
-Repentance and Humility: Fasting encourages a spirit of repentance and humility before God.
-Spiritual Growth: It helps in growing closer to the Holy Spirit and seeking the Kingdom of God.
-Preparation for Holy Communion: Fasting is a way to prepare oneself to receive Holy Communion worthily.
Fasting is a vital aspect of the spiritual discipline and tradition within the Orthodox Church, deeply rooted in the history of the church and the teachings of early Christians like Saint Paul.
