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Fasting
Our fasting guidelines, season by season, and what today’s fast is.
- Today’s fast
This updates on its own every day. Antiochian reckoning, new calendar, from orthocal.info. The seasons below are our own guidelines.
The Four Fasts
Our general guidelines, season by season. For why we fast at all, start here.
Nativity Fast
Before the Nativity of Christ — Christmas
- MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY
- Fish, alcohol, and oil days.
- WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY
- Abstain from meat, dairy, fish, alcohol, and oil.
Great Lent & Holy Week
Before Pascha — Passover, Easter
- MONDAY TO FRIDAY
- Abstain from meat, dairy, fish, alcohol, and oil.
- SATURDAY & SUNDAY
- Alcohol and oil days.
Apostles Fast
Before the feast of Saints Peter and Paul
- MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY
- Fish, alcohol, and oil days.
- WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY
- Abstain from meat, dairy, fish, alcohol, and oil.
Dormition Fast
Before the Dormition of the Mother of God
- MONDAY TO FRIDAY
- Abstain from meat, dairy, fish, alcohol, and oil.
- SATURDAY & SUNDAY
- Alcohol and oil days.
Shellfish, like shrimp, are not considered “fish” and can be eaten on every day of the year.
Abstaining from oil applies to fried foods too.
Through the Rest of the Year
Outside the four seasons we fast on Wednesdays for the Betrayal of Christ, on Fridays for the Crucifixion, and before receiving Holy Communion.
Fasting frees us to give and pray more, since we do not spend as much money and preparation on food.
How you keep the fast is something to discuss with Father Christopher.