Great Lent
Clean Monday → Holy Saturday (the 40 days before Pascha)
Strict fast on weekdays — no meat, dairy, fish, wine, or oil. Wine and oil permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. Fish allowed on the Annunciation and Palm Sunday.
Updated Daily
Orthodox Fasting Calendar — May 2025
Know exactly what the Greek Orthodox Church fasts from on every date in May 2025 — strict fast, wine and oil, fish days, or fast free — alongside the feast, saint, and scripture readings appointed for that day.
What to expect in May 2025
May falls in the Paschal season. Wednesdays and Fridays are fast free until the Apodosis of Pascha, after which the weekly fast returns. Ascension and Pentecost punctuate the month.
Key fasting dates in May 2025
- ☦Paschal season: Wednesdays and Fridays fast free
- ☦Midfeast and Ascension: fish, wine, and oil permitted
- ☦After the Apodosis of Pascha: Wednesday and Friday fast resumes
October 1, 2026
Today's Fast
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Orthodox Fasting Days in May 2025
Each day links to its full chapel entry with the appointed epistle, gospel, and saints.
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The Four Fasting Seasons
Nativity Fast (Advent)
November 15 → December 24
Fish, wine, and oil are permitted most days through December 17. Stricter fast December 18–24.
Apostles' Fast
Monday after All Saints → June 28
Fish allowed except Wednesdays and Fridays. Length varies year to year based on the date of Pascha.
Dormition Fast
August 1 → August 14
Strict fast (no fish, wine, or oil on weekdays). Fish allowed on the Transfiguration (August 6).
Understanding the Fasting Levels
Fast Free
All foods permitted
Strict Fast
No meat, dairy, fish, oil, or wine
Wine & Oil
Wine and oil permitted; no meat, dairy, or fish
Fish, Wine & Oil
Fish, wine, and oil permitted; no meat or dairy
Wednesdays & Fridays
Outside of fast-free weeks, every Wednesday and Friday of the year is a fast day in the Orthodox Church — Wednesday in memory of Christ's betrayal, Friday in memory of His crucifixion. Wine and oil are typically permitted unless the day falls within a stricter fasting season.
Fast-Free Weeks
Several weeks of the year are entirely fast-free — no fasting on Wednesdays or Fridays:
- The week after Pascha (Bright Week)
- The week after Pentecost
- December 25 → January 4 (the Twelve Days of Christmas)
- The week of the Publican and Pharisee (before Great Lent)
Orthodox Fasting Questions
What can I eat on an Orthodox fast day?
On a strict fast day, the Orthodox Church abstains from meat, dairy, eggs, fish, olive oil, and wine. Many days within a fasting season relax that rule to allow wine and oil, or fish, wine, and oil. The daily entries on this page tell you which rule applies to each date.
Are Wednesdays and Fridays always fast days?
Yes, outside of the designated fast-free weeks. Wednesday commemorates the betrayal of Christ and Friday His crucifixion, so both are kept as fast days throughout the year.
How many fasting seasons does the Orthodox Church keep?
There are four great fasting seasons: Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, the Apostles’ Fast, and the Dormition Fast. Great Lent and Holy Week are the strictest.
Is fish allowed during Great Lent?
Fish is not eaten during Great Lent except on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday. Shellfish is traditionally permitted on days when oil and wine are allowed.
Who is excused from fasting?
The Church applies the fasting rule with pastoral discernment. Children, the elderly, the sick, pregnant and nursing mothers, and those under a physician’s care fast according to their strength, ideally in consultation with their parish priest.
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