(Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)
When people think of the word "Lent," the word "fasting" is one of the first things that comes to mind. The cornerstone of Lent is not fasting, but repentance and growing in our faith. Fasting is a tool that is used to assist in spiritual growth. Fasting is also mischaracterised as a form of deprivation, rather than a spiritual discipline. Because fasting is so misunderstood, it is many times done incorrectly. Fasting is about getting control of our passions, maintaining control over them, and ultimately giving control of ourselves to God.
The days we fast:
- The forty days before Easter: Starts on Clean Monday and ends the night of the Resurrection.
- The fasting of Christmas: Starts 15 November and finishes 24 December.
- Fasting for the Dormition of Our Lady Panayia: From the 1st of August till the 14 of August.
- Fasting of the Apostles: Starts from the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints till the 28 June.
Strict fasting, we also do the following days:
- 5th January (prior Theophany).
- 14th September (The Elevation of The Cross).
- 29th August (Beheading of St Jhon The Baptist).
- Days of strict fasting is the Wednesdays and Fridays all year round.
Apolites Periods (NOT fasting even on a Wednesday and Friday:
- The Holy 12 Days. From 25th December till 6th January, apart from the day of Theophany.
- During the immediate week after Easter.
- The week after Pentecost, until the Sunday of All Saints.
- The three weeks prior to the forty days of Easter. During these weeks we start:
- The first week of Pharisee and Tax Collector, we can eat everything.
- The second week of the Prodigal Son, we eat everything but abstain from oil on Wednesday and Friday.
- The third week of Cheese Fair we eat all days, everything APART from meat.
