How We Orthodox Fast

Fasting Guidelines

iiiiiTotal Abstinence from all food and drink (except water and herbal teas, if hydration is
iiiiiabsolutely neccessary) is traditionally observed on the first three days of Great Lent and from
iiiiiGreat Friday until Pascha.

iiiiiThe Eucharistic Fast is total abstinence at least from the previous midnight for communing at
iiiiia morning Liturgy or following a light breakfast for communing at an evening Liturgy.

iiiiiEvening Divine Liturgy We fast completely (from marital relations, smoking, food, & drink)
iiiiiusually from noon until Holy Conmunion is received.

DO NOT FAST

• December 25 to January 5

• The week following the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

• The week following Meatfare Sunday (abstinence from all flesh meat is required during this week, but no fasting)

• The week following Pascha

• If you are pregnant or nursing a newborn

• During serious illness

• Without prayer

• According to your own will without guidance from your spiritual father

The purpose of fasting is to focus on the things of
God's Kingdom and be freed from dependence on
worldly things.

iiiiiFasting in itself is not a means of pleasing God.

iiiiiFasting is not a punishment for our sins. Nor is fasting a means of suffering and pain to be undertaken
iiiiias some kind of atonement. Christ already redeemed us on His Cross. Salvation is a gift from God that
iiiiiis not bought by our hunger or thirst.

iiiiiWe fast to be delivered from carnal passions so that God's gift of Salvation may bear great fruit in our
iiiilives.

iiiiiWe fast and turn our eyes toward God in His Holy Church. Fasting and Prayer are meant to go together

iiiiiMost of all, it is important that we do not eat each other. We ask God to "set a watch and keep the door
iiiiiof our lips."

iiiiiFasting is not irrelevant, is not obsolete, is not something for someone else. Fasting is from God, for
iiiius, right here, right now.

 

   aExcept Great and Holy Saturday

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