GOC – Information Sheets (April 13, 2010)
Our Church adopted fasting from the Old Testament. Christ Himself fasted and preached about its significance (Matt.6:16; Mark 2:20 and 9:29). The early Church too, observed fasting (Acts 13:2, 14:23 and II Cor. 2:27). As early as the beginning of the third century, we have documents (of Didache) substantiating the early establishment of regular fast days, such as Wednesday and Friday: these two days are symbolical and commemorative of Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion. And by the end of the fourth century, the forty day (Great) Lenten fast was wide-spread. Later other fasting periods were also adopted by our Church.
Fasting, accompanied by prayer and charity, is a way of disciplining our entire person, not just the body. Contrary to what most people think, it underlines rather than undermining the significance of the body towards whose glory it also contributes. Furthermore, fasting is a small way of sharing in contemporary suffering throughout the world.
In our ecclesiastical calendar, fasting usually precedes great feasts and acts as a preparation for these events.
Fasts Prescribed by the Church
1. Wednesday and Friday
Every Wednesday and Friday is to be observed with fasting unless some important Feast takes precedence over the fast. (See exceptions noted below)
The Fast on Wednesday in memory of the betrayal of the Lord and the Fast on Friday in remembrance of His Passion and Death upon the Cross.
2. Special Fast Days
August 29 – The beheading of St John the Baptist
September 14 – The Elevation of the Holy Cross
January 5 – The Eve of Epiphany
3. Lent, the Great Fast
Lent begins forty days before Palm Sunday, on the Monday after Cheese-Fare Sunday and lasts until the evening preceding Palm Sunday. Holy Week is a special fast in honour of our Lord’s Passion and lasts from the evening of Palm Sunday through to Holy Saturday.
4. The Fast of the Holy Apostles
The Fast of the Holy Apostles begins on the Monday after All Saints Sunday (the Sunday next after Pentecost) and lasts until June 28, the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This Fast varies in length according to the date of Easter.
5. The Fast of the Theotokos
The Fast which precedes the Feast of the Falling-asleep of the All-holy Theotokos begins on August 1 and lasts until the day of the Feast, August 15.
6. The Fast before Christmas
The Fast before Christmas begins on November 15 and lasts until the day of the Feast of the Nativity, December 25.
7. Periods when Fasting is forbidden
The Church forbids fasting during the following periods:
- From December 25 to January 4
- The week following the Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican.
- The week following Meat-fare Sunday (abstinence from flesh-meat is required during this week, but no fasting)
- The week following Easter
- The week following Pentecost
