Fasting, Explained
The words the Church uses for the fast, and what fasting is for. For the seasons themselves, Great Lent and the rest, see the fasts.
Orthodox fasting keeps from certain foods by degrees, which the calendar marks day by day. The strict fast sets aside meat, fish, dairy, and eggs, and wine and oil as well; lighter days allow wine and oil, or fish too, and the week before Lent sets aside only meat. The measure for you is set with your priest.
These pages explain each level, from the strict fast to the fast-free days, and what fasting is for. For when the fasts fall, see the fasting calendar. For what is eaten, see what to eat on a fast day. For a voluntary fast from apps and websites, see Watchfulness.
What fasting is
- What fasting isPrayer, offered with the body
- The measure is yours to receiveFasting is set with a priest, not by an app
- Why we fastNot to earn, but to be freed and to love
- Fasting, prayer, and mercyThe three that go together
- Why food?The body prays too
- Not a diet, and not for showKeep it hidden; do not judge
- The fast opens into the feastA bright sadness, and where it leads
The measure, by level
The seasons and the stretches of the year
- Holy WeekThe last week, to the tomb and the Resurrection
- The Twelve Days of NativityChristmas to Theophany-eve: a fast-free feast
- Bright WeekThe week of Pascha: no fasting at all
- The Paschal seasonFrom Pascha to Pentecost
- Through the yearWednesdays and Fridays outside the seasons
- Trinity WeekThe week after Pentecost: fast-free
- The Eve of the NativityDecember 24, strict, until the first star
- The Eve of TheophanyJanuary 5, strict
- The Beheading of St John the BaptistAugust 29, a day of strict fast
- The Exaltation of the CrossSeptember 14, a day of strict fast
- The Week after the Publican and the PhariseeA fast-free week
- Cheesefare WeekThe gate of Lent, dairy, no meat
Wondering about a particular day? Is today a fast day? ›