Fasting
Read the rule shown on today’s calendar, then use this page to understand what it means.
Food rules
“Allowed” names what the rule permits. “Excluded” names the foods omitted that day.
Strict fast
Allowed: Plant foods prepared without wine or oil.
Excluded: No meat, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, or oil.
Wine allowed
Allowed: Plant foods and wine.
Excluded: No meat, eggs, dairy, fish, or oil.
Wine and oil allowed
Allowed: Plant foods, wine, and oil.
Excluded: No meat, eggs, dairy, or fish.
Fish, wine, and oil allowed
Allowed: Plant foods, fish, wine, and oil.
Excluded: No meat, eggs, or dairy.
Meatfast
Allowed: Eggs, dairy, fish, wine, and oil.
Excluded: No meat.
Fast-free
Allowed: All foods.
Excluded: Nothing is excluded by the fasting calendar.
A total fast means no food or drink for the appointed period. The calendar uses “strict fast” for the food rule above, not as a synonym for a total fast.
Fasting seasons
Great Lent and Holy Week
Clean Monday through Great and Holy Saturday
Weekdays are normally strict. Wine and oil are normally allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. Annunciation and Palm Sunday allow fish, wine, and oil. Great Friday is appointed as a total fast for those able to keep it.
Preparation for the Resurrection of Christ.
Apostles’ Fast
After All Saints through June 28
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are normally strict. Tuesday and Thursday allow wine and oil. Saturday and Sunday allow fish, wine, and oil. Feast days may add an allowance.
Preparation for the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29.
Dormition Fast
August 1 through 14
Weekdays are normally strict. Wine and oil are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. The Transfiguration on August 6 allows fish, wine, and oil.
Preparation for the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15.
Nativity Fast
November 15 through December 24
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are normally strict. Tuesday and Thursday allow wine and oil. Saturday and Sunday allow fish, wine, and oil. From December 20 through 24, fish is not allowed.
Preparation for the Nativity of Christ on December 25.
Wednesday and Friday
Throughout the year outside fast-free weeks
The normal rule is strict: no meat, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, or oil. The calendar shows feast-day allowances and fast-free weeks.
Wednesday remembers Christ’s betrayal. Friday remembers His Crucifixion.
How to keep the fast
Keep the appointed food rule consistently. Eat simply. Join the food fast to prayer, repentance, and almsgiving. Medical need takes priority over a food restriction.