When we first became Orthodox Christians, we found fasting to be a bit overwhelming. It was hard to find a simple, straightforward guide—most of what we came across was either too complicated, too long, or just confusing for someone new to the faith. That’s why we created this guide, combining the essential information we’ve gathered from various sources into something clear and easy to follow. Whether you’re exploring Greek Orthodox fasting rules, Russian Orthodox fasting rules, or other Orthodox Christian fasting rules, this guide will help simplify the process so you can focus on the spiritual benefits of fasting.
🕊️ Why Do Orthodox Christians Fast?
Orthodox fasting isn’t new; it dates back to the early Christians and the teachings of the Church Fathers. It’s rooted in Scripture, including examples of fasting from the Old Testament, such as Moses fasting before receiving the Ten Commandments. Christ Himself fasted for 40 days in the desert, setting an example for us to follow.
Fasting serves several purposes:
- Spiritual Growth: Fasting strengthens our prayer life and helps us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit.
- Repentance: It’s a time to reflect on our sins and seek forgiveness.
- Preparation: It readies us for the great feasts, such as Pascha (Easter), Nativity (Christmas), and the Feast of the Transfiguration.
By practicing fasting, we imitate the ascetic fasting of the saints and align ourselves with the traditions of the Orthodox Church.
🗓️ Fasting Seasons of the Church
Orthodox Christians follow a calendar filled with fasting and feast days. Here’s an overview of the canonical fasting periods and fast-free weeks observed throughout the year.
1. Weekly Fasts
Wednesdays and Fridays: These days honor Christ’s betrayal (Wednesday) and Crucifixion (Friday). On these days, we abstain from eating meat, dairy, and other animal products.
Communion Fast: Before receiving Holy Communion, we observe a total fast from food and drink, starting the evening before (usually Saturday night) until the Divine Liturgy.
2. Fasting Seasons
The fasting rules during the main fasting seasons are mostly consistent throughout the year, but small variations can make a big difference. For example, during the Nativity Fast, parishioners are often allowed to have fish, wine, and oil on many weekdays, while these are not permitted during Great Lent. Additionally, the way we prepare for these seasons isn’t the same. Longer fasting periods like Great Lent require more spiritual and practical planning compared to shorter ones like the Dormition Fast. That’s why it’s so important to familiarize ourselves with these main fasting seasons and plan ahead to follow the rules with care and intention.
Main Fasting Seasons
Main Fasting Seasons:
Great Lent: The most well-known fasting season, Orthodox Lent fasting rules begin on Clean Monday and last for six weeks, followed by Holy Week. During this time, we focus on repentance and spiritual renewal. The first week of Lent includes special services like the Sunday of the Publican and the reading of the Canon of St. Andrew.
Nativity Fast: From November 15 to December 24, we prepare for the Nativity of Christ. The rules are similar to those for Lent but slightly less strict toward the end.
Dormition Fast: This 15-day fast in August honors the Virgin Mary, leading to the Feast of her Dormition (Assumption).
Fast of the Holy Apostles: This fast begins the second Monday after Pentecost and ends on June 29, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
Other Fasting Days
Other Fasting Days:
Eve of Theophany: A strict fast on January 5.
Beheading of St. John (August 29): A day of strict fasting in memory of his martyrdom.
Click here for information on the Fasting Days.
Fasting seasons give us a rhythm of spiritual growth throughout the year. While the rules are mostly the same, understanding the unique aspects of each season—like the allowances during the Nativity Fast or the extra preparation needed for Great Lent—helps us stay focused and prepared. By planning ahead and embracing these seasons thoughtfully, we can deepen our faith and make the most of these opportunities to draw closer to God.
3. Fast-Free Weeks and Feast Days
In the Orthodox Church, fasting and feasting go hand in hand, creating a rhythm that balances discipline with celebration. Just as fasting draws us closer to God through self-restraint and prayer, feasting allows us to joyfully celebrate His blessings. The Church sets aside specific fast-free weeks and Feast Days to focus on the joy of major events in our faith.
Fast-Free Weeks
Fast-Free Weeks
The Orthodox calendar includes fast-free weeks, giving us a break from fasting so we can fully embrace God’s grace and the joy of His work:
- Bright Week (the week after Pascha): Celebrates Christ’s Resurrection, the victory over death, with feasting and thanksgiving.
- The week after Pentecost: Honors the Holy Spirit’s descent and the birth of the Church, a time of spiritual renewal and gratitude.
- The week after the Nativity of Christ: Rejoices in the birth of our Savior, highlighting God’s love and redemption.
These weeks follow seasons of intense fasting, like Great Lent or the Nativity Fast, reminding us that moments of joy and rest are essential to our spiritual journey.
Main Feast Days
Main Feast Days
Feast days throughout the year celebrate key moments in Christ’s life, the Theotokos, and the saints. Some of these feasts occur during fasting seasons, and the Church allows for exceptions to fasting rules as a way to honor their significance:
- Palm Sunday: During Great Lent, this feast permits fish, wine, and oil to celebrate Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
- Feast of the Transfiguration: Observed during the Dormition Fast, this feast allows for fish, wine, and oil, reflecting the divine glory revealed on Mount Tabor.
Feast days remind us to honor God’s blessings with joy and thanksgiving, even during times of fasting, creating a balance between self-discipline and celebration.
Fast-free weeks and Feast Days are gifts from the Church that remind us of the joy and gratitude we are called to experience as Orthodox Christians. By embracing both fasting and feasting, we grow closer to God, balancing seasons of spiritual discipline with moments of joyful celebration. Through this rhythm, we live out the fullness of our faith and experience God’s abundant grace.
🍽️ Eastern Orthodox Fasting Rules
1. Foods Allowed
During fasting periods, the diet focuses on simple plant-based foods:
- Vegetables: Potatoes, broccoli, carrots, spinach, zucchini, and more.
- Fruits: Apples, bananas, citrus, and berries.
- Grains: Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and quinoa.
- Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and beans.
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter.
- Vegetable Oils: Olive oil and other plant-based oils are permitted on non-strict fasting days, such as Saturdays and Sundays during Great Lent.
2. Foods Not Allowed
The following foods are avoided during fasting periods:
- Meat Products: Beef, chicken, pork, and all other meats.
- Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and cream.
- Eggs: All types of eggs, including chicken and duck eggs.
- Fish: Fish with backbones is generally avoided, but Palm Sunday fish is permitted.
- Alcoholic Drinks: Hard liquor is prohibited, but moderate wine or beer is allowed on certain days, like Saturdays and Sundays during Great Lent or major feast days.
3. Portion Control and Fasting Discipline
Fasting is not only about what you eat but also how much you eat. Limiting yourself to smaller portions or one full meal per day is a way to practice self-control and humility. The goal is to align our physical hunger with spiritual hunger for God.
4. Alcohol During Fasting
Alcoholic drinks are usually limited during fasting periods. Hard liquor is avoided entirely, while moderate consumption of wine or beer may be allowed on weekends or major feast days, depending on your local tradition. For example:
- Allowed Days: Saturdays and Sundays (except during Holy Week), the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25), and other significant feast days.
- Strict Prohibition: Holy Week, especially Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, and Holy Saturday.
As always, consult your spiritual father for specific guidance.
🙏 Orthodox Fasting Rules For Lent
Great Lent is the most spiritually significant fasting season in the Orthodox Church, lasting six weeks, followed by Holy Week. It’s a time of repentance, prayer, and spiritual renewal, with unique traditions and strict rules of fasting to guide us through this sacred journey.
Meatfare and Cheesefare Weeks
Meatfare and Cheesefare Weeks
The two weeks before Lent help us gradually prepare for the full fasting season:
- Meatfare Week: This is the last week to eat meat before Lent. It ends with Meatfare Sunday (the Sunday of the Last Judgment), which reminds us to prepare for repentance.
- Cheesefare Week: The following week, we stop eating meat but continue enjoying dairy products. It concludes with Cheesefare Sunday (or Forgiveness Sunday), when we ask forgiveness from one another and prepare to begin Lent.
These transitional weeks ease us into the stricter fasting of Lent, helping us adjust both spiritually and physically.
Holy Week
Holy Week
The final week of Great Lent, Holy Week, is the most solemn period of the Church year. Each day recalls Christ’s Passion and is marked by special fasting and services:
- Holy Thursday: A strict fasting day, commemorating the Last Supper and Christ’s betrayal.
- Holy Friday: Observed as an absolute fast, reflecting the solemnity of Christ’s Crucifixion.
- Holy Saturday: Fasting continues as we prepare for the joy of the Resurrection, with the exception of Holy Saturday’s evening, which leads into Pascha celebrations.
These services help us enter deeply into the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and victory.
Bright Week (Fast-Free Period After Pascha)
Bright Week (Fast-Free Period After Pascha)
Following the intensity of Lent and Holy Week, Bright Week begins on Easter Sunday and is a fast-free period filled with joy and celebration. During this time, we fully embrace the freedom and hope brought by Christ’s Resurrection, setting aside all fasting rules as we rejoice in His victory over death.
Great Lent is unique because it combines spiritual preparation, strict fasting, and meaningful traditions to lead us closer to Christ. From the gradual transition of Meatfare and Cheesefare Weeks to the solemnity of Holy Week, this season invites us to focus on repentance and renewal, preparing our hearts for the joy of Pascha and the hope of eternal life.
🌟 Exceptions to the Fasting Rules
While the Orthodox fasting rules encourage strict observance, the Church allows flexibility in certain situations:
- Health Needs: Those with medical conditions or poor health are not expected to follow the rules strictly.
- Pregnancy and Children: Expectant mothers and young children are typically exempt.
- Travel or Isolation: In cases like the situation of an isolated Orthodox believer, the Church provides guidance to adapt the rules.
- Elderly or Physically Demanding Jobs: Adjustments are made to ensure safety and well-being.
In all cases, it’s best to consult your priest or spiritual father for personalized guidance.
🌟 Final Thoughts: The Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
Fasting is a tool for spiritual growth, not just a dietary change. It helps us:
- Focus on prayer and repentance.
- Prepare for the Kingdom of God.
- Strengthen our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Remember, fasting isn’t about perfection but progress. Start small, follow the broad rules, and trust in God’s grace to guide you. Whether you’re observing Lent fasting rules Orthodox traditions or preparing for a major feast day, fasting is a gift that enriches both body and soul.
Before you go, here is a video by by Fr. Josiah Trenham, which we recommend you watch:
Frequently Asked Questions
During Orthodox fasting, the consumption of alcohol, particularly hard liquor, is generally prohibited to maintain the fast's spirit of temperance. However, moderate consumption of wine or beer may be allowed on non-strict fast days, such as Saturdays, Sundays, and major feast days, depending on individual church guidelines.
Orthodox Christians fast for 40 days during Great Lent and the Nativity Fast to mirror Christ’s 40-days of fasting in the desert. This period is a time for intensified prayer, repentance, and preparation for major Christian celebrations like Easter and Christmas.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, Orthodox Christians typically abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs. Depending on their spiritual guidance, they may also cut down on the number of meals or the amount of food consumed to foster a greater sense of spiritual discipline and focus.
Meatfare Sunday is the last day to eat meat before Easter, focusing on the theme of the Last Judgment. The following Sunday, Cheesefare Sunday, marks the final day dairy is consumed before Great Lent begins. Also known as Forgiveness Sunday, it emphasizes reconciliation and spiritual preparation for Lent, leading up to Easter.
Garrett
Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However just imagine if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, your site could definitely be one of the greatest in its niche.
Wonderful blog!
Thierry
Hi Garrett,
Thanks so much for your awesome feedback on my "How To Fast: Orthodox Fasting Rules and Guidelines" post! I'm really glad you found the content valuable.
You know, I've actually been thinking about adding more photos and videos to the posts. I agree that it would make everything more engaging and fun. Your suggestion is a great reminder that this is something I should focus on, especially for a topic as important as fasting.
I'll definitely work on bringing in more visual content to add that extra "pop" to the blog. Thanks again for the encouragement and for being a part of the community!
Feel free to drop by anytime.
Best,
Thierry
Michelle
Hello All,
I am new to the Orthodox faith. Just learning and trying to enrich and grow in my walk with Jesus. I haven’t attended an Orthodox Church as of yet, but plan to. I have purchased an Orthodox study Bible. I am trying to learn about the fasting. I’m pretty sure I will be able to it as I eat once a day anyway. I just signed up for the email and am looking forward to learning more.
Thierry
Hi Michelle,
Welcome to the Orthodox faith! It's fantastic to have you here with us. I'm so excited for you as you start this beautiful journey. Getting an Orthodox Study Bible is a great move, and diving into fasting is an amazing way to deepen your spiritual life.
Don't worry if it feels a bit overwhelming at first; we're all here to support each other. If you have any questions or need any tips, just reach out. We're a community, and we're here to help each other grow closer to Jesus.
Thanks for signing up for the email updates! I hope you find lots of useful and inspiring info.
Blessings and best of luck on your journey,
Thierry
Britney
My brother suggested I might like this web
site. He was totally right. This post truly made my day.
You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Thierry
Hi Britney,
I'm so glad your brother suggested the website and that you found the post helpful! It makes my day to hear that my post provided you with the information you were looking for. Fasting can be a complex topic, so I'm thrilled to know the guide made things clearer for you. If you have any more questions or need further tips, feel free to reach out anytime. Thanks for your lovely comment!
Best,
Thierry
Tamar
Are shellfish allowed during regular fast days throughout the year? If so, how about during lent?
Thierry
Hi Tamar!
Thank you for reaching out. Yes, shellfish are generally allowed on regular fast days throughout the year for parishioners following a standard fasting plan—this applies to Lent as well, since shellfish isn’t classified as meat.
However, for those on an ascetic fasting plan, limited shellfish intake may be encouraged or even omitted entirely during stricter periods.
If you’d like to explore the differences between these fasting plans, check out this post:
https://orthodoxfasting.com/5295/fasting-types-in-christianity/
cate
Are cookies and cake (sweets) OK? ie...cookies (vegan)
Thierry
Hi Cate,
Great question! In many Orthodox traditions, as long as sweets (like cookies) are vegan—meaning no dairy or eggs—they’re generally considered acceptable during fasting periods. Of course, some people choose to be extra strict or might have guidance from a spiritual father that suggests otherwise, especially when it comes to sweets. But if you’re using plant-based ingredients, you should be good to go! Moderation is always key. Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!
Best, Thierry