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Fasting in Orthodox Christianity

Everything you need to understand and practice fasting in Orthodox Christianity—from the meaning of each fasting season to step-by-step guides that answer your most common questions.

Fasting Seasons

Learn about all the fasting seasons in Orthodox Christianity and how to keep them with purpose and joy.

  • Holy Eucharist Orthodox Icon
    Fasting Before Holy Communion: Orthodox Church Guidelines
  • Bright Week
    Bright Week — 7 Feast Days for Orthodox After Pascha
  • Holy Week
    What Is Holy Week in The Orthodox Church? A Guide to Pascha
  • Meat Steak
    Meatfare: The Last Week For Meat Before Great Lent

Read more about The Fasting Seasons →

Fasting Guides

Helpful answers, real-life tips, and spiritual support to make fasting more doable and meaningful.

  • Ladder of Divine Ascent
    Orthodox Christianity: How to Battle Passions When Fasting
  • Examples of Passions
    Examples of "Passions" People Can Battle During Fasting
  • Cooking With Oil
    Olive Oil or Any Oil: What Should We Be Fasting From?
  • Shellfish List
    Why Can Orthodox Christians Eat Shellfish on Fasting Days?

Read more Fasting Guides →

Looking for Fast-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Will Love?

Visit our sister site OrthodoxFastingRecipes.com — a space fully dedicated to easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes that follow the fasting guidelines of the Orthodox Church.

Whether you're new to fasting or just need fresh meal ideas, you'll find:

  • Vegan and fasting-approved recipes for every season
  • Kid-friendly meals that even picky eaters will enjoy
  • Traditional dishes from around the Orthodox world
  • Simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions for busy households

👉 Click here to explore OrthodoxFastingRecipes.com and make fasting a little easier—and a lot more joyful—around your table.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Orthodox fast?

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.

What to eat during Orthodox fast?

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.

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Thierry and Sandra

Meet the Founders

Hello! We’re Thierry and Sandra — parents whose lives were truly changed by the powerful practice of Orthodox fasting. At OrthodoxFasting.com, we focus on fasting guides, prayers, and other essentials that have helped us grow in faith. We share what we’ve learned—and what’s actually worked for us—to support fellow believers on this holy path.

Join us on our journey through Orthodoxy →


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Fast Friendly Recipes:

Need fresh ideas? Dive into our tested and perfected fast-friendly recipes everyone will love!

Orthodox Fasting Recipes - orthodoxfastingrecipes.com
Explore delicious Orthodox Christian fasting recipes that are easy, satisfying, and perfect for spiritual nourishment during fasting periods.
orthodoxfastingrecipes.com

By clicking the link, you will be redirected to our dedicated platform for fast-friendly recipes, where you'll find tested and perfected meal ideas for the whole family!


Upcoming Fast:

Upcoming Events

Aug 1
August 1 - August 14

Dormition of the Theotokos Fast

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