"For a bird to fly, it depends on two wings. So it is also with prayer and fasting for an Orthodox Christian; one cannot acquire a spiritual life without these two wings." 

(Orthodox saying)

 

The Purpose of Fasting and Why We Fast

There is no single answer to the question of why we fast, but we will try to be as clear as possible. One answer is that we simply follow the example of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

 

We also find in the Old Testament that many prophets practiced fasting long before Christianity. Think of Moses, David, and Daniel, just to name a few. They fasted for various reasons, such as repentance, sorrow, worship, sacrifice, and many other spiritual motives. Although their fasting methods varied, they always did so with God in their thoughts and hearts.

 

We fast for spiritual growth, discipline, detachment from worldly life, and to grow closer to God. Let us not forget that the first commandment given to Adam and Eve involved a form of fasting abstaining from something they desired. They had permission to eat from everything in the Garden of Eden, except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. By breaking this "fast," they disobeyed God's command, allowing sin to enter the world, subjecting humanity to death. The devil and his demons will try everything to disturb and lead us away from fasting, just as the serpent did with Adam and Eve.

 

The Two Forms of Fasting

There are two types of fasting that we practice, and during fasting periods, we combine both:

1. Physical fasting refraining from certain foods and drinks for a period.  

2. Spiritual fasting the more challenging aspect, which includes intensified prayer, reading Scripture, studying the Church Fathers, giving alms, spending time with family, abstaining from fleshly desires and worldly distractions. All of this helps us to draw closer to God and detach from the temporal life.

 

Fasting is a tool we use for our own benefit; God does not need our fasting, but we need God, and fasting is one way to turn to Him.

 

Although the Bible speaks positively about fasting and encourages us to fast, it does not provide strict instructions on how to fast. For guidance, we follow the instructions of the Church, which was established by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to help us on our spiritual journey.

 

Biblical and Patristic Support

- Jesus Christ fasted for forty days in the wilderness:"And after fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry." (Matthew 4:2)

- The Apostles fasted and prayed: "Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off." (Acts 13:3)

- The Church Fathers emphasized the importance of fasting:  

- St. Basil the Great: "Fasting is a weapon against demons, for 'this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting' (Matthew 17:21)."

- St. John Chrysostom: "Fasting is not merely abstinence from food but also from sins."

 

Fasting Periods in the Orthodox Church

(First date according to the Julian calendar, second according to the Gregorian calendar)

 

Longer Fasting Periods

- Great Lent

- Apostles' Fast

- Nativity Fast

- Dormition Fast

 

One-Day Fasts

- Every Wednesday & Friday (with some exceptions)  

- The Eve of Theophany – January 18 / 5  

- The Beheading of St. John the Baptist – September 11 / August 29  

- The Elevation of the Cross – September 27 / 14  

 

Fasting Rules

Depending on the period and the guidance of the Church:

- Strict fast complete abstinence from all food and drink.  

- Fast on water all animal-derived foods (meat, dairy, eggs) are prohibited, as well as oil and wine (alcohol).  

- Fast on oil & wine animal products are forbidden, but oil and wine are permitted.  

- Fast on fish animal products remain prohibited, but fish is allowed.  

- Dairy fast a meat-free week (this period before Great Lent is not officially considered fasting but rather a preparation for fasting).

 

Since Great Lent is based on the lunar cycle, and other fasting periods depend on it, we cannot provide specific fasting dates on this website. For the exact fasting dates and guidelines observed during certain periods, you can easily search online or visit the website of your local Orthodox Church.

 

Additional Information

The date of Pascha (Easter) in Orthodox Christianity is determined by the lunar cycle. Pascha falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. This method of determining Easter is based on the Jewish Passover, as the Last Supper, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are closely linked to the Passover festival.