Just as there are times for feasting, there are also times set aside for fasting. During these periods, certain foods are prohibited. These are, in order of frequency of prohibition:
Fruits, vegetables, grains and shellfish are permitted throughout the year. Of course, the Orthodox Church never reduces the practice of fasting to a legalistic observance of dietary rules. Fasting, that is not accompanied by intensified prayer and acts of charity, inevitably becomes a source of pride. The Church also recognizes that not everyone can fast to the same degree, and assumes that individual Christians will observe the fast prescribed for them by their spiritual fathers.
| All Wednesdays and Fridays, except for those noted below. | ||
| The day before the Feast of Theophany | January 5 | |
| Cheesefare Week | begins Feb. 15, 2009 | The last week before the Great Lent, during which meat and fish are prohibited, but dairy products are permitted even on Wednesday and Friday. |
| Holy Lent | Begins March 2, 2009 | from Clean Monday through the Friday before Lazarus Saturday, olive oil and wine are permitted on weekends. |
| Great & Holy Week |
April 12-18, 2009 | Note: Great and Holy Saturday is a day of strict fasting, during which the faithful abstain from olive oil and wine. |
| Apostles Fast | June 15-28 | Begins on the 2nd Monday after Pentecost (the day after All Saints' Sunday) and continues until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, according to the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar. |
| Fast for the Dormition of the Mother of God | August 1-14, 2009 |
excluding August 6, on which fish, wine and olive oil are permitted |
| Beheading of St. John the Baptist | August 29 | |
| Exaltation of the Holy Cross | September 14 | |
| Nativity Lent | November 15-December 24 |
Fish, wine and olive oil are permitted, except on Wednesdays and Fridays, until December 17 |
| The Feast of the Annunciation. |
March 25 |
| Palm Sunday | April 12, 2009 |
| The Feast of the Transfiguration | August 6 |
| The Feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Mother of God | November 21 |
| The first week of the Triodion | Feb. 8-14, 2009 | From the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee through the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, including Wednesday and Friday. |
| Bright Week, following the Sunday of Pascha | April 20-25, 2009 | Bright Week is the week beginning on Pascha (Easter) and continuing up to (but not including) the following Sunday. |
| The week following Pentecost | June 8-13, 2009 | |
| The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord | Dec. 25 -Jan. 4 |
(Last updated on: Thursday, 09-Oct-2008 23:05:59 EDT.)