One of the benefits of fasting, and Kathy and I are observing a fast this Lenten season, is that it reminds you that you need God’s mercy. Every morning around 6:30 am, I get up and make a pot of coffee. Usually, I go to the refrigerator, pour half-and-half into my cup, and go back to bed while it brews. During this Lenten season, I get up, make the coffee, and remember I can’t have my half-and-half. It’s an immediate reminder that I need to pray for God’s mercy (as well as the quick arrival of Easter morning!). Until this year, Kathy and I have observed what might be called a “Protestant Lenten fast.” In other words, we fasted from something, usually wine (Kathy) and crackers (Chris). This year, we decided to experiment with the Orthodox Church’s “Great Lent” fasting rules. It has been an experience, made more difficult by the fact that we have traveled with people who are not subject to similar fasting guidelines.

The Great Lenten Fast

All Christians understand that fasting should be practiced in secret, without the need to show off or criticize others (Mt 6.16; Rom 14). It serves to purify our lives, free our souls and bodies from sin, and strengthen our natural ability to love God and others. Additionally, it helps illuminate our entire being, fostering a deeper connection with Christ. The Orthodox rules for Lenten fasting are monastic in nature. No meat is allowed after “Meatfare Sunday” (two weeks before Lent begins), and no eggs or dairy products after “Cheesefare Sunday” (one week before Lent begins). [1] The basic diet is sort of Vegan, with the addition that there is to be no olive oil or wine during the fast.[2]

This Lenten fast is not supposed to be some kind of work that earns one some special relationship with God, but as an ideal to be striven for; not as an end in itself, but as a means to spiritual perfection crowned in love. In fact, an American Orthodox priest that I heard speak about the fast reminded his parishioners that, if we make fasting a work or if we meticulously follow the rules, it is simply a bad diet.

The Great Lent is observed from Meatfare Sunday through Easter Sunday, ending after the Paschal Divine Liturgy on that day. Recognizing the dedication required, Christians are encouraged to keep their fasting practices private, trusting that God will see their sincere efforts and bless them openly with a holy life. Everyone is invited to sincerely do their best, guided by their own faith and conviction.

Although in Orthodoxy Saturdays and Sundays are never days of fasting, this  refers only to the weekly fasts. During Great Lent, , the ascetical fast continues through the weekends. However, the weekend rules are slightly different.

Three Pillars of Lent

Fasting is one of the Three Pillars of Lent, which are also central to the faith of those who practice it. These Three Pillars are:

1. Prayer. Prayer is such a meaningful part of the Lenten season. It’s a special time when we’re invited to reflect on our relationship with God and nurture our spiritual connection with the divine. Whether it’s through daily prayers, joining in church services, or engaging in devotional activities like the Stations of the Cross, these moments can truly deepen our faith and bring us closer to God.
2. Fasting. Fasting is an important part of Lent. It involves giving up certain luxuries or desires for a period to focus on spiritual growth. This can include various practices, such as skipping meals for a day, avoiding specific foods for a time, or giving up other items like television or social media. The goal of fasting is to help individuals get closer to God by recognizing their dependence on Him and stepping away from worldly distractions.
3. Generosity. Giving generously (or almsgiving) is a special practice during Lent. As we reflect on our own shortcomings, Lent reminds us to assist those in need. Whether it’s donating to charities, volunteering at a local soup kitchen, or helping a neighbor in need, these acts of kindness are genuine expressions of compassion and love. Embracing almsgiving throughout the season encourages us to focus on our responsibilities to others, fostering a spirit of selflessness and service.

The “Three Pillars of Lent”—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—highlight how important spiritual growth and reflection are. By practicing these, we can strengthen our faith, build our relationship with God, and live a more meaningful and intentional life.

Pastoral Flexibility

There is a lot of pastoral flexibility in the way the Lenten fast is administered in any given parish. Those who have health issues that might be exacerbated by the fast are always given a dispensation to dispense with it. In addition, those with health issues that makes certain aspects of the fast difficult are easily given permission to not fulfill all of the obligations. For example, a member of my family has hypoglycemia and really needs a diet with a bit more protein every day. This person is also in an occupation requiring physical labor, and the priest has given him permission to eat certain foods that otherwise would not be permissible.

Neither Inquirers nor Catechumens are required to observe the fast. They may do so if they wish. Additionally, many people, myself included, observed certain parts of the fast as they get used to fasting for long periods. Finally, and this year has been a good example, our priest advises that, when traveling and in it would inconvenience those around you, the rules can be loosened to prevent bad feelings. In other words, the Lenten Fast is not a law, it’s a spiritual practice intended to draw people closer to God and one another.

Purpose of Fasting

Fasting has many important purposes. One website I visited had a very helpful summary of the reasons for fasting.[3]

1 To express repentance and a return to God

2. To humble oneself before God

3. To strengthen one’s prayer life

4. To seek God’s guidance

5. To express sorrow or grief

6. To seek deliverance or protection

7. To express concern for the work of God

8. To minister to the needs of others

9. To overcome temptation and dedicate yourself to God

10. To express love and worship for God

All these reasons are present in the Great Lenten Fast and the long Advent Fast practiced among Orthodox Christians.

Biblical Practice

Protestants sometimes feel that fasting might not be completely biblical. However, the Old Testament is full of examples of people observing fasting. Devout Jews fasted during specific times and seasons designated for such practices. For example, on the Day of Atonement, everyone was required to fast from sundown to sundown (Lev. 23:32). During special holy days, people also fasted until evening (Judg. 20:26). When King Saul died, the armies fasted for seven days (1 Sam. 31:13). Nehemiah and the people fasted together as an act of repentance and mourning (Neh. 1:4; 9:1). Fasting was a meaningful way for people to humbly depend on God and seek His mercy and grace.

For Christians, it is important to consider New Testament teachings. I believe it is crucial to note that the New Testament describes Jesus fasting for forty days and forty nights before he was tempted (Matt. 4:2). The passage reads like this:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he became hungry. The tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus replied, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus told him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him (Matthew 4:1-11).

This passage was important enough that other gospel writers included this teaching in their writings.[4] We see no other instances of Jesus fasting, and we are told that his disciples did not fast during his earthly ministry. Jesus explained this by saying that wedding guests don’t fast while the bridegroom is present (Mark 2:18-19). However, he added, “The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast” (v. 20). The disciples’ choice not to fast was not due to laziness, lack of piety, or rejection of fasting; rather, it symbolized the Lord’s presence and the joyful arrival of God’s kingdom. Jesus himself predicted a time when they would fast (see Acts 13:2-3). Another key teaching about fasting is found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:16—18), where he criticized the public fasting of the Pharisees, done to be “seen by men,” and instructed his disciples to fast in secret, so that only the heavenly Father would see and reward it. Clearly, the Lord criticized the motives and manner of fasting among the Pharisees, but not the practice itself. It is a misinterpretation of Scripture to believe that Jesus did not intend for his church to practice fasting.

The Practice of the Early Church

The early church adopted the popular Jewish custom of fasting twice a week, with a small but meaningful change: instead of Monday and Thursday, Wednesday and Friday became the usual days for fasting. This demonstrates how fasting was a valued part of the earliest Christian communities and how Orthodoxy simply incorporated this ancient practice into its liturgical traditions. The church fathers practiced and encouraged fasting. For example, Basil the Great taught:

There is both a physical and a spiritual fast. In the physical fast the body abstains from food and drink. In the spiritual fast, the faster abstains from evil intentions, words and deeds. One who truly fasts abstains from anger, rage, malice, and vengeance. One who truly fasts abstains from idle and foul talk, empty rhetoric, slander, condemnation, flattery, lying and all manner of spiteful talk. In a word, a real faster is one who withdraws from all evil. As much as you subtract from the body, so much will you add to the strength of the soul. [5]

Both Origen and Augustine supported fasting, prayer, and giving to those in need. It appears that the early church followed the Jewish tradition, which saw piety as a balanced trio of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. However, reflecting Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6, the early church highlighted that fasting’s true purpose isn’t to seek applause or showcase piety. Instead, fasting, like prayer and giving, should be done sincerely for the heavenly Father alone.

Conclusion

When I advise people on budgeting, I often warn them that the first year is both the hardest and least successful, but if they stick to the discipline by year three, they will have a workable budget and be able to live within it. I have been telling myself that fasting is probably similar. The first year or attempt at fasting is sketchy at best (ours has been), but it will improve with time. Our hardest time was during an extended trip visiting friends and family who were not fasting. Everyone was understanding, but we did not feel comfortable insisting on a diet no one else was following. I suspect we are not alone in this feeling. Otherwise, when we are at home, it seems to work just fine. Finally, it is not enough to fast. Fasting is a way of deepening prayer and repentance. Without prayer, as a priest told me this month, the Lenten Fast is just a bad diet. Therefore, we will discuss Lenten prayer in a future post.

Copyright 2026, G> Christopher Scruggs, All Rights Reserved

[1] I have taken this introduction from the American Orthodox website and its See, “Lenten Fasting” at https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-year/lenten-fasting (downloaded March 6, 2026).

[2] The rules are actually a bit complex in some cases, and I don’t want to mess up this blog with a lot of detaisl that interested people can find out on their own if they become interested.

[3] See the NIV Bible Website, at https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/10-biblical-purposes-fasting/ (downloaded March 6, 2026)

[4] See Luke 4:1-13. See also Hebrews 4:15, Philippians 2:5-8, which provide support for Jesus’ identification with the human race, including temptation.

[5] Orthodox teaching on fasting, found at https://www.crkvenikalendar.com/post/post-fathers.php (downloaded March 6, 2026). The number of possible quotations is enormous—too many to include in this document.