Orthodox fasting is one of the oldest ascetic practices of the Church. It is not a diet — it is a discipline of the body that serves the soul, ordering our appetites and opening us to prayer.

The four fasting levels

The Church does not have one universal fast; it has a ladder of degrees that apply on different days and seasons.

Strict fast — No meat, dairy, fish, wine, or olive oil. This is the most demanding level and applies on certain days of Great Lent (especially Holy Week and Clean Week) and on the Eve of Theophany.

Wine and oil fast — No meat, dairy, or fish, but wine and olive oil are permitted. This is the standard weekday rule of Great Lent outside of Holy Week.

Fish fast — No meat or dairy, but fish, wine, and olive oil are permitted. This applies on feast days that fall during fasting periods (e.g., the Annunciation during Great Lent) and on Saturdays and Sundays of most fasting seasons.

Fast-free — No fasting restrictions apply. All foods are permitted. Fast-free periods include Bright Week (the week after Pascha), the week after Pentecost, the week after the Theophany octave, and Cheesefare Week (dairy and fish permitted, but meat is not).

The four fasting seasons

The Church year has four extended fasting seasons:

  1. Great Lent — Forty days before Pascha, ending with Holy Week. The most intense season.
  2. Apostles’ Fast — Begins the Monday after All Saints Sunday (one week after Pentecost) and ends June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. Variable in length.
  3. Dormition Fast — August 1–14, preceding the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15).
  4. Nativity Fast — November 15 – December 24, preceding Christmas.

Wednesday and Friday

Outside of fasting seasons and fast-free weeks, Wednesdays and Fridays are always fast days (typically at the wine and oil level) in memory of the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ.

A word of caution

These are the general rules of the Church. Your priest or spiritual father may — and often will — adjust your personal rule of fasting. The fast is not a legal requirement but a spiritual discipline, and it is kept under obedience, not independently.

Feast or Fast shows the standard rule for your jurisdiction. Always confirm with your priest.