Fasting

The Church keeps certain days and seasons as fasts, together with prayer and almsgiving. Each day’s page tells you what is appointed. This guide explains the terms. How you keep the fast is a matter to discuss with your priest or spiritual father, especially if you are ill, pregnant or nursing, elderly, or young.

What the terms mean

Strict fast. No meat, fish, dairy, eggs, wine or olive oil. Shellfish are allowed.

Wine and oil allowed. As a strict fast, but wine and olive oil are allowed.

Fish, wine and oil allowed. As a strict fast, but fish, wine and olive oil are allowed.

No meat. Dairy, eggs and fish are allowed. This is kept in the week before Great Lent.

Fast-free. No fasting, even on a Wednesday or Friday.

Fasting days and seasons

• Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, except in fast-free weeks.
• Great Lent and Holy Week, from Clean Monday until Pascha.
• The Fast of the Apostles, from the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints until June 28.
• The Fast of the Dormition, August 1 to 14.
• The Nativity Fast, November 15 to December 24.
• The Beheading of St John the Baptist (August 29), the Elevation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and the Eve of Theophany (January 5).

Fast-free periods

• From the Nativity to the Eve of Theophany, December 25 to January 4.
• The week after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee.
• Bright Week, the week after Pascha.
• The week after Pentecost.