Fasting Periods

There are four fasting periods and a number of fasting days within the Church Year of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Great and Holy Fast

The 40 day preparation for the glorious feast of Pascha beginning on Clean Monday and ending on the day before Lazarus Saturday. Associated with this fast is the week of Cheesefare and the Great and Holy Week Fast, the week long fast leading up to the glorious feast of Pascha. It is the most ancient fast. More...

Apostles' Fast (Petriwka)

The lenten period of variable length in preparation for the feast of the holy apostles Peter and Paul beginning on the Monday following the Sunday of All Saints and ending on June 28. More...

Dormition Fast

The 14 day preparation for the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, August 1-14.

St. Philip's Fast (Pilipiwka)

The 40 day preparation for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ beginning on November 15 and ending on December 24. This period is sometimes called Advent. More...

Particular days

• Wednesdays and Fridays

• Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14)

• Eve of the Nativity of Christ (December 24)

• Eve of the Theophany of Christ (January 5)

• Beheading of St. John the Baptist (August 29)

Exempt Times from Fasting

• December 25 to January 4

• Between the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee and the Sunday of the Prodigal Son

• From Pascha to Thomas Sunday

• from Pentecost to the Sunday of All Saints

Fasting and Abstinence

We often use the word "fasting" to refer to both fasting and abstinence. There is a difference between the two. Abstinence refers to the practice of not eating certain types of food. For example, on Wednesdays and Fridays, we abstain from meat. Fasting refers to the amount of food we eat. As a general rule, when fasting, the main meal of the day should equal in quantity less than the two other meals through the day. The "rules" for fasting and abstinence should always be regarding as means to obtaining a greater goal. Bishop Kallistos has an excellent article entitled, "On the Nature of Fasting," and Subdeacon Adam DeVille (Eparchy of Toronto) offers an excellent Catechesis of Fasting. When practicing fasting and abstinence, it should always be done under the care of a spiritual father or mother or your parish priest. Ask them for assistance.

page updated on: April 11, 2008

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