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.
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? ›