Other Fasting Seasons & Days

The Apostles’ Fast (Monday after All Saints Sunday - Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul 29 June)

The Typikon prescribes strict abstinence on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, with wine and oil allowed on other days.

  • The Apostles’ Fast was first established at the First Council of Nicea in AD 325 and is observed from the Monday after All Saints day through the Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul.

  • We fast as usual on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sautrdays, and Sundays, however, we are allowed fish, wine, and oil.

  • Tradition tells us that after the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they began to fast in order to prepare themselves to go forth and preach the Gospel to the world. There is a verse in scripture which is said to have foretold of the Apostles’ Fast: “Can you make the guests of the Bridegroom fast while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” (Lk 5:35)

    Source: Byzimom

The Dormition Fast (1 August - 14 August)

all weekdays are days of strict abstinence; wine and oil are allowed on Saturday and Sunday, and on the feast of the Transfiguration (August 6)

Beheading of John The Baptist (29 August)

Fast & Abstinence (meat may not be eaten)

The Nativity Fast - also called Philip’s Fast (15 November - 24 December)

Strict abstinence is prescribed for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with lesser abstinence (wine and oil allowed) on other days. In some places, the fast is kept more strictly beginning on December 10, two weeks before Christmas. Read more here.

Fridays throughout the year

Simple abstinence (meat may not be eaten)

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September)

Fast & Abstinence (meat may not be eaten)

Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord (24 December)

Fast & Abstinence (meat may not be eaten)

(If this vigil falls on Saturday or Sunday, the fasting and abstinence is done on the previous Friday, since we normally do not fast on Saturday or Sunday)

Vigil of the Theophany of the Lord (5 January)

Fast & Abstinence (meat may not be eaten)

(If this vigil falls on Saturday or Sunday, the fasting and abstinence is done on the previous Friday, since we normally do not fast on Saturday or Sunday)

Source: MCI