Explore a simple, practical Orthodox fasting calendar of all the main Orthodox fasting seasons. Each event links to a detailed description and can be added directly to your phone calendar—so you’ll never miss another fast!
The Fast of the Holy Apostles 2025
The Great Orthodox Lent 2026
The Fast of the Holy Apostles 2026
Source: Orthodox Christian Fasting Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
Orthodox Christians primarily follow the Julian calendar for their liturgical year, which includes fasting periods and feast days. However, some Orthodox churches have adopted the Revised Julian calendar or the Gregorian calendar, aligning certain celebrations with the modern civil calendar.
Orthodox Christians observe several fasting periods throughout the liturgical year, including the Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, the Apostles' Fast, the Dormition Fast, and most Wednesdays and Fridays. The start and end dates of these fasts are determined by the Orthodox liturgical calendar.
The duration of Orthodox fasts varies. The Great Lent, the longest fasting period, lasts for approximately 40 days, leading up to Easter Sunday. Other fasting periods include the Nativity Fast, the Apostles' Fast, and the Dormition Fast, each with different lengths and observances.