Orthodox Fasting

The Four Major Fasting Periods

Great Lent

40 days before Pascha (Easter). Begins on Clean Monday. The strictest fast of the year — no meat, fish, dairy, eggs, oil or wine except on Saturdays and Sundays.

Apostles' Fast

Begins the Monday after Pentecost, ends June 29 (Julian) — the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Variable length (1 to 6 weeks).

Dormition Fast

August 1–14 (Julian) = August 14–27 (Gregorian). Honors the Theotokos (Virgin Mary). Fish is permitted only on the Transfiguration (Aug 6 Julian).

Nativity Fast

November 15 – December 24 (Julian) = Nov 28 – Jan 6 (Gregorian). 40 days before Christmas (January 7 Gregorian). Fish permitted most days except in the final week.

Wednesday & Friday

Outside the major fasting periods, Wednesdays (commemorating the betrayal of Christ) and Fridays (commemorating the Crucifixion) are fasting days. Oil and wine are permitted; fish is not, except on feast days that fall on these days.

Fast Types in the Calendar

Strict fast

Xerophagy: only raw/dried food. No oil, no wine, no cooked food.

Water fast

Cooked food allowed, but no oil or wine.

Oil permitted

Vegetable oil added to cooked food.

Wine & oil

Both wine and oil are permitted.

Fish permitted

Fish, wine and oil — major feast days.

No fast (mrs)

All foods permitted. Mesojeđe.