Great Fast is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a time when we look inside of ourselves and reflect upon the light of Christ shining outwardly. It is imperative that as we enter into this season, that we take it seriously with much fasting and prayers. This season will mark the first Great Fast of our Deanery and thus we have much to pray for as we prepare to enter into mission at the end of this season and the proclamation at Pentecost. We who are to be members of Christ's body must understand that this time of preparation is for us to glorify Jesus Christ for his life, death and resurrection. We fast, pray and give alms so that we might participate in his life and have the same eternal life that is received through the blessed Mysteries received on the Altar. 

In order to achieve these things, the following fasting regulations will be required for all faithful of the Deanery. This season, we ask that the faithful devote themselves entirely to the Orthodox way and live the life of Christ in fullness throughout the day. It is highly suggested that this season the faithful refrain from television, that they devote time to family prayer and that they spend more time developing the family life. This Great Fast, let us work on our relationships, the ones with our spouses, the ones with our children, the relationships with our extended families and communities. All these things are intertwined so that we may participate in the body of Christ here on earth. 

For fasting, the following is in effect the first day of the Great Fast, Monday March 3, 2025.

Week before Lent (“Cheesefare Week”): Meat and other animal products are prohibited, but eggs and dairy products are permitted, even on Wednesday and Friday.

First Week of Lent: Only two full meals are eaten during the first five days, on Wednesday and Friday after the Presanctified Liturgy. Nothing is eaten from Monday morning until Wednesday evening, the longest time without food in the Church year. (Few laymen keep these rules in their fullness). For the Wednesday and Friday meals, as for all weekdays in Lent, meat and animal products, fish, dairy products, wine and oil are avoided. On Saturday of the first week, the usual rule for Lenten Saturdays begins (see below).

Weekdays in the Second through Sixth Weeks: The strict fasting rule is kept every day: avoidance of meat, meat products, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil.

Saturdays and Sundays in the Second through Sixth Weeks: Wine and oil are permitted; otherwise the strict fasting rule is kept.

Holy Week: The Thursday evening meal is ideally the last meal taken until Pascha. At this meal, wine and oil are permitted. The Fast of Great and Holy Friday is the strictest fast day of the year: even those who have not kept a strict Lenten fast are strongly urged not to eat on this day. After St. Basil’s Liturgy on Holy Saturday, a little wine and fruit may be taken for sustenance. The fast is sometimes broken on Saturday night after Resurrection Matins, or, at the latest, after the Divine Liturgy on Pascha.

Wine and oil are permitted on several feast days if they fall on a weekday during Lent. Consult your parish calendar. On Annunciation and Palm Sunday, fish is also permitted.

 The Western Orthodox Vicariate will follow its own traditional fasting regulations as is a part of their tradition.  prescribed in the Orthodox Book of Common Prayer.