Post on Wednesday and Friday what. What is a fast day? What you can and cannot eat

Believers who have recently been baptized ask many questions regarding church life. They are especially concerned about how to fast correctly on Wednesday and Friday. After all, for most this is a completely new life experience. Many do not understand why additional abstinence in food is needed, since there are already enough long fasts in the year. But if a person decides to observe two weekly ones, how to do it correctly? You will find the answer to these and many other questions in the article.


What is fasting

Speaking about church customs and rituals, we should not forget that many of the first were Jews. This religion had well-established traditions, which in terms of strict observance were equal to legal laws. Therefore, the followers of the new teaching decided that it was not worth eradicating customs, it was better to make sure that they smoothly merged into Christianity.

But before delving into the historical aspect, let’s figure out why it is generally necessary to fast every Wednesday and Friday. Are there really not enough days in the year for abstinence? After all, in Orthodoxy there are 4 multi-day fasts, with a total duration of 180 to 212 days (depending on the duration of Peter's fast, which depends on the date of Easter in a particular year).

  • Most holy fathers are firmly convinced that abstinence is simply necessary to maintain spiritual health. After all, the devil is cunning, he uses every opportunity to tempt a person and lead him astray from the path of obedience to God. Fasting is a kind of spiritual practice, it is an exercise for the soul.
  • On Wednesday members christian church remember the betrayal of one of Christ’s disciples, namely Judas. Friday is dedicated to the crucifixion of the Savior.

Many churchgoers are too focused on what they can and cannot eat.

But these days you should not only exclude certain foods from your diet, but also avoid sinful acts:

  • avoid overeating;
  • refrain from unkind thoughts;
  • do not speak evil words;
  • do not do bad things;
  • It's time to begin the sacrament of repentance.

This aspect is much more important than eating a certain food. After all, a person consists not only of a body, he has a spiritual, divine principle. Only for many, life is subordinated to the dictates of the flesh and is spent in search of pleasure. It is weekly fasting that is one of the tools for spiritual growth. It allows the Christian to restore the correct hierarchy - the spirit should rise above the body.


The tradition of fasting

According to the records of the church historian Tertullian (lived in the 3rd century), fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays was designated by a word that means “military guard.” This is not without reason - the author compared Christians with the soldiers of the Lord. According to the treatise, abstinence from food lasted until the 9th hour (according to modern times - up to 15 hours). These days the services were special.

The choice of time is not accidental - it was at 9 o’clock that he died on the Cross, according to the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 27, verses 45-46). In ancient times, people completely refused not only food, but did not even take water. Today the rules have changed somewhat; believers fast throughout the day, giving up some foods. Christians of the first centuries brought all the food that they did not eat during these days to their bishop. The priest gave them to those who were in need.

If in our time the tradition of fasting days is quite established, then at first it was a voluntary choice of the believer. But even then the fast ended with the reception of Communion. True, the holy gifts were kept in every home. Gradually, Wednesday and Friday became days of meetings, when believers studied the Holy Scriptures together.

Already in the 4th century St. Epiphanius writes that Wednesday and Friday are obligatory fast days, along with Pentecost. Those who ignore them oppose themselves, because they fasted, setting an example for us. In the 5th century, the Apostolic Rules were written down, according to which abstinence is obligatory for everyone - both clergy and laity, and the punishment for non-compliance is excommunication and deprivation of the priesthood.


How to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays correctly

The vanity of life, intemperance in food, drunkenness, harm human soul. The Christian needs to awaken within himself the will to do good through the practice of abstinence. What is eaten on Wednesdays and Fridays depends on the severity of a certain period church year. You should exclude meat and dairy products at any time:

There is a more stringent degree of abstinence, when fish products, vegetable oil and all food that is boiled or fried are also prohibited. This type of fasting is called dry eating; during this period it is allowed limited quantity products:

  • nuts;
  • dried fruits;
  • fresh as well as pickled and pickled vegetables;
  • bread;
  • green.

To know exactly how to fast on Wednesday and Friday, you should purchase church calendar. The dates and degree of abstinence are indicated there.

Who does not have to fast?

If a believer has health problems, relaxations are possible. You need to inform your doctor about your faith, he will tell you what degree of fasting will not harm the body. Pregnant women, the elderly, manual workers, military personnel, athletes during training camps, and children under 7 years of age may not fast.

If in doubt, you should consult with your confessor about how you personally should observe weekly fasts. Also, several times a year they are canceled for everyone, during those periods when the so-called continuous weeks take place:

  • After the Nativity of Christ (Christmastide);
  • Before the beginning of Lent (14 days before, on the week of the Publican and the Pharisee);
  • Everyone’s favorite Maslenitsa (also before Lent, only meat is excluded from the diet, other food of animal origin can be eaten);
  • Bright Week (immediately after Easter);
  • Trinity Week (after the holiday of Trinity).

There are also instructions about this in church calendars.

Lenten recipes

Although on Wednesdays and Fridays you cannot eat meat and sausages, you can still prepare a wide variety of salads and soups. If fish is allowed, it serves as the main dish. It can be stewed, fried, baked. But if oil and fish are prohibited, then you will have to use your imagination.

As you can see, even on days of strict abstinence you can eat tasty and varied food.

The spiritual meaning of fasting

It’s sad that many today see giving up certain foods as an end in themselves and boast about their successes. The worst thing is when a person, exhausted by an unbearable hunger strike, begins to take it out on those around him. Many spiritual fathers warn about such consequences of immoderate zeal. If a believer cannot withstand strict rules, it is better to deviate from them a little than to allow himself to shout at his neighbor.

The purpose of any fast is to achieve spiritual perfection. A cleansed, light body ceases to be an obstacle to sublime thoughts and feelings. A full stomach no longer prevents you from praying and receiving God’s grace. Food abstinence should help in spiritual matters, and not deprive a person of the ability to enjoy life.

A Christian has two spiritual weapons - prayer and fasting; one cannot be complete without the other. The Apostle Matthew wrote about this in chapter 17 of his Gospel. He himself called on believers to fight demons using these means. Therefore, when giving up meat, do not give up prayer, do deeds of mercy, and be kind to others. Then fasting will become an important step in spiritual growth.

Christian Orthodox faith provides for a number of fasting days and weeks a year, when, thanks to abstinence in food during fasting, a simple Christian approaches God, cleansing himself not only physically, but also spiritually.

The Orthodox rules of the holy apostles say that “If Orthodox Christian does not fast in Lent or on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, except holidays, then the laity, according to the 69th rule of the holy apostles, are excommunicated from communion of the Holy Mysteries, and the priests are expelled. Relaxation in fasting is allowed for the infirm, sick, and elderly..."

That is, if an Orthodox Christian does not observe all multi-day and one-day fasts throughout the year, he is not allowed to receive communion, and priests are generally deprived of their rank.

At the same time, pregnant women, children under 14 years of age, sick people and the elderly may not observe fasting or observe it not fully, which is still better to consult with a priest in the local Orthodox church.

A good Christian must observe the Orthodox Lent before Easter - the Feast of the Feasts of the Resurrection of Christ, during the fast of the holy apostles Peter and Paul - Peter's Fast, during the fast Holy Mother of God- Assumption Fast from August 14 to 27, Nativity Fast - Philipp Fast before the Nativity of Christ from November 28 to January 6.

An Orthodox person must also fast on Epiphany Eve on January 18, on the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist - September 11, on the day of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord - September 27, as well as throughout the year fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, except for the weeks of continuous Orthodox weeks and Christmas time from January 7th to 18th.

The meaning of multi-day fasts and fasting days on Wednesdays and Fridays is that by abstaining from food, limiting own desires and appetites in the literal and figurative sense of the word, the Orthodox Christian is likened to Jesus Christ (remember his forty-day hermitage in the desert, where He fought with Satan and temptations) and pays tribute to his suffering, which the Son of God endured for the sake of us, mere mortal people, so that grant us immortality - eternal life in Paradise in Heaven as a reward for a righteous lifestyle.

IN modern world Orthodox fasting is not observed as strictly as it was before the revolution in Russia, when the positions of the Orthodox Church and Orthodox canons were strong and respected. Today, the Orthodox Church does not insist on absolute, meticulous compliance with all restrictions regarding the Lenten menu, both during multi-day and one-day fasts.

At the same time, no one canceled the fasts themselves for a believer. But…

If, for example, a working person simply does not have the physical and material ability to observe all the canons of Orthodox Lent, then he can himself, or better yet, with the blessing and permission of the priest, make concessions to himself according to the Lenten menu during the days and weeks of Lent.

After all main goal any Orthodox fast does not exhaust the body, does not bring it to exhaustion and anorexia - no!

The main goal and task of Orthodox fasting is to strengthen a person in the Faith through renunciation, temporary renunciation of some physical and food joys, the pleasures of life.

How can a person prove his love and faith to the Lord God? Simple and very difficult at the same time: by not violating the 10 commandments of God, with the help of daily Orthodox prayer, by periodically visiting the temple of God - the Orthodox Church and by observing Orthodox fasts and separate fasting days almost every week.

Recipes and menus for Orthodox fasting and fasting days must be individual for each person - they must take into account the state of his health, lifestyle, and also - let's not be hypocrites - the degree of a person's faith in God.

Lenten menu in fast days

Fast days of the week - Wednesdays and Fridays - were established in honor of the memory of the suffering of Jesus Christ before the crucifixion on the Cross: on Wednesday Judas betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver, and on Friday the Son of God was executed - crucified on the Cross, where he died on the same day .

Their observance disciplines a believer and constantly reminds him of the presence of God in his life.

My husband and I, for example, always observe (at least I try very hard) fast days - Wednesday and Friday. Because There is simply not enough strength or spirit to observe long Orthodox fasts - we can hold out for a maximum of 1 week and that’s all.

And by observing fast days every week, we at least do something to please God.

What should our Lenten menu on fasting days of the week - on Wednesdays and Fridays?

So, on fast days of the week on Wednesdays and Fridays, an Orthodox Christian should, as far as possible, avoid eating fast foods.

What is fast food? FAST FOOD is any food of animal origin that contains proteins and fats of animal origin, as well as any products and dishes containing at least some products of animal origin. Specifically, lean food is pork and beef, butter, eggs, sour cream, milk, cottage cheese, cheese, dumplings, egg pasta, fat, non-lenten cookies (cooked with eggs, sour cream, milk, fat), cakes, pastries, cream , ice cream, sausages, sausages, lard...

All these and many other dishes containing proteins and fats of animal origin are fast dishes by definition and cannot be eaten on fasting days almost every week - on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The only thing you can eat on fasting days on Wednesdays and Fridays is vegetable oil, fish, vegetables, fruits, honey, jam, cereals, nuts, dried fruits, potatoes, cabbage, and herbs. So we can say with full responsibility that observing Orthodox fasting on fasting days is beneficial to the Christian himself, because plant food is healthy food that cleanses not only the body, but also frees the soul from sin.

And one more thing: if during the Great Orthodox Lent before Easter a Christian is prohibited from entering into close relationships with his spouse, then this restriction does not apply to daytime fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Thus, every Orthodox believer decides for himself whether or not to observe fast days week by week on Wednesday and Friday.

In general, taking into account the fact that our country has been “atheistic” for a long time, every Orthodox believer must gradually come to a conscious understanding that observing Orthodox fasts is necessary, first of all, for himself...

Many Orthodox Christians are tormented by doubts about whether they need to fast on Wednesday and Friday.

This article will tell you why you should do this and how to fast without violating church traditions.

Why are Wednesday and Friday considered fast days?

People who have only recently come to a conscious choice of spiritual life do not always know why exactly fasting is observed.

But especially, they are tormented by the obligatory fast on the third and fifth days of the week, which are considered fast days regardless of that's coming is it fasting or not?

On Wednesday, fasting people, by refusing to eat fasting food, remember the day of Judas' betrayal of Christ. Friday is the day when Christ was crucified, condemned to death on the cross.

In this way, mourning is observed for the tragic events that occurred during the earthly life of Jesus.

But, besides this, these days have the ability to save the souls of people, tirelessly showing the devil the strength and inviolability of faith. Fasting strengthens the spirit Orthodox man, cleanses it, promotes the development of spirituality. This is like regular training for an athlete.

Fast days allow you to stay in shape, only spiritually, and thereby have beneficial influence on physical fitness. Refusal of certain foods on these days of the week allows you to think about the frailty of your existence and once again turn to prayer.

How to fast on Wednesday and Friday

When observing fast days, you need to know the rules so that you don’t accidentally, out of ignorance, offend the memory so much. important days in Christianity.

The day according to church time does not begin at the usual time. The countdown of the new church day begins from the beginning of the evening service in the church.

In every church such a service can begin at different times, but the parish must know the schedule of services and, thus, know what time the new day begins.

Usually Vespers is served from 4 to 8 pm. Therefore, the countdown of the beginning of the fast day occurs at the same time. A Christian can take regular food before evening prayer, and only fast food after it. The fast day ends in the same way, that is, at the end of the service in the evening.

Based on these rules, it follows that, for example, the Friday fast begins with the Thursday evening service and ends with the service on Friday evening, regardless of what time it was.

As for the severity of fasting days, everything is individual. The priest at the temple will help you identify it. If such questions arise, you should first contact the abbot for clarification. In some cases, keeping a strict fast is not recommended, as this may have a negative impact on physical health an Orthodox person, and fasting in no case allows harm to a believer.

So, there are concessions for women who are expecting a child or are breastfeeding. People who work in difficult physical conditions and children under 7 years of age use an easier version of fasting, which will be discussed below. This also applies to athletes who train hard.

But a person does not have the right to determine the degree of severity of a fast day on his own; he must definitely ask for the blessing of a sacred person.

Also, fasting is not observed on Christmastide, the first week after Easter, the first week after Trinity and on the days of Maslenitsa.

Can I fish on Wednesday and Friday?

Posts on Wednesday and Friday church rules must be carried out with the same rigor as each fast.

These days you need to exclude foods such as eggs, meat, and dairy products from your diet. Fish is also excluded from the diet.

In a co-eating or raw food diet, you can eat vegetables, fruits, berries, nuts, and honey.

All these rules do not apply to those who have received a blessing from the priest to relax fasting days. The categories of such people were noted above.

In addition to these rules, there are also special days when eating fish is allowed on Wednesday and Friday.

This is the time when fasting days fall on winter and spring meat-eaters. The period of the winter meat-eater refers to the period of time between the Nativity and Great Lents, and the spring meat-eater refers to the period between the Great Feast of Easter and the day of the celebration of the Holy Trinity.

Slaves can be eaten during major church holidays. Many church holidays tend to move from one date to another. And every year they are celebrated in different number. Therefore, it is best to check the Orthodox calendar or ask the rector of the temple about upcoming holidays. On these days, revered by Christians, churches celebrate services and the fast is not observed.

Fasting days are necessarily accompanied by intense prayer, pious deeds, almsgiving, and repentance. This is extremely important for an Orthodox person. Not only avoid eating fast food, but also work on your spiritual awakening.

Orthodox church calendar of fasts and meals for 2019 indicating and brief description multi-day and one-day fasts and continuous weeks.

Church Orthodox calendar of fasts and meals for 2019

Fasting is not in the belly, but in the spirit
Popular proverb

Nothing in life comes without difficulty. And in order to celebrate the holiday, you need to prepare for it.
In Russian Orthodox Church There are four multi-day fasts, a fast on Wednesday and Friday throughout the year (except for a few weeks), and three one-day fasts.

In the first four days of the first week of Great Lent (from Monday to Thursday) evening worship The Great (Repentant) Canon is being read, the work of the brilliant Byzantine hymnographer St. Andrew of Crete (8th century).

ATTENTION! Below you will find information about dry eating, food without oil and days of complete abstinence from food. All this is a long-standing monastic tradition, which even in monasteries cannot always be observed in our time. Such strictness of fasting is not for the laity, and the usual practice is abstinence from eggs, dairy and meat food during fasting and during strict fasting – also abstaining from fish. For all possible questions and about your individual measure of fasting, you need to consult your confessor.

Dates are indicated according to the new style.

Calendar of fasts and meals for 2019

Periods Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

from March 11 to April 27		 xerophagy hot without oil xerophagy hot without oil xerophagy hot with butter hot with butter
Spring meat eater fish fish

from June 24 to July 11		 hot without oil fish xerophagy fish xerophagy fish fish
Summer meat eater xerophagy xerophagy

from 14 to 27 August		 xerophagy hot without oil xerophagy hot without oil xerophagy hot with butter hot with butter
Autumn meat eater xerophagy xerophagy
from November 28, 2019 to January 6, 2020 until December 19 hot without oil fish xerophagy fish xerophagy fish fish
December 20 – January 1 hot without oil hot with butter xerophagy hot with butter xerophagy fish fish
January 2-6 xerophagy hot without oil xerophagy hot without oil xerophagy hot with butter hot with butter
Winter meat eater fish fish

in 2019

The Savior himself was led by spirit into the desert, was tempted by the devil for forty days and did not eat anything during these days. The Savior began the work of our salvation by fasting. Great Lent is a fast in honor of the Savior Himself, and the last, Holy Week of this forty-eight-day fast was established in honor of the memory of last days earthly life, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
Fasting is observed with particular strictness during the first and Holy weeks.
On Clean Monday, complete abstinence from food is customary. The rest of the time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday - dry food (water, bread, fruits, vegetables, compotes); Tuesday, Thursday – hot food without oil; Saturday, Sunday - food with vegetable oil.
Fish is allowed on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and on Palm Sunday. Fish caviar is allowed on Lazarus Saturday. IN Good Friday You cannot eat food before the Shroud is taken out.

in 2019

On Monday of the Week of All Saints, the Fast of the Holy Apostles begins, established before the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul. This post is called summer. The continuation of fasting varies depending on how early or late Easter occurs.
It always starts on All Saints Monday and ends on July 12th. The longest fast of Petrov consists of six weeks, and the shortest one is a week and a day. This fast was established in honor of the Holy Apostles, who, through fasting and prayer, prepared for the worldwide preaching of the Gospel and prepared their successors in the work of saving service.
Strict fasting (dry eating) on ​​Wednesday and Friday. On Monday you can have hot food without oil. On other days - fish, mushrooms, cereals with vegetable oil.

in 2019

From August 14 to August 27, 2019.
A month after Apostolic Fast The multi-day Assumption Fast begins. It lasts two weeks - from August 14 to 27. With this post the Church calls us to imitate Mother of God, who, before Her relocation to heaven, incessantly remained in fasting and prayer.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – dry eating. Tuesday, Thursday – hot food without oil. On Saturday and Sunday, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
On the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), fish is allowed. Fish day in Assumption, if it falls on Wednesday or Friday.

in 2019

Christmas (Filippov) fast. At the end of autumn, 40 days before the great feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Church calls us to winter fasting. It is called both Filippov, because it begins after the day dedicated to the memory of the Apostle Philip, and Rozhdestvensky, because it occurs before the feast of the Nativity of Christ.
This fast was established in order for us to offer a grateful sacrifice to the Lord for the collected earthly fruits and to prepare for a gracious union with the born Savior.
The charter about food coincides with the charter of Peter's fast, until the day of St. Nicholas (December 19).
If the Feast of the Entry of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple falls on Wednesday or Friday, then fish is allowed. After the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas and before the forefeast of Christmas, fish is allowed on Saturday and Sunday. On the eve of the feast, you cannot eat fish on all days; on Saturday and Sunday - food with oil.
On Christmas Eve you cannot eat food until the first star appears, after which it is customary to eat sochivo - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins.

Solid weeks in 2019

Week– week from Monday to Sunday. These days there is no fasting on Wednesday and Friday.
There are five continuous weeks:
Christmastide– from January 7 to January 17,
Publican and Pharisee– 2 weeks before
Cheese (Maslenitsa)– week before (no meat)
Easter (Light)– week after Easter
- week after Trinity.

Fasting on Wednesday and Friday

Weekly fast days are Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday, fasting was established in memory of the betrayal of Christ by Judas, on Friday - in memory of the suffering on the cross and death of the Savior. On these days of the week, the Holy Church prohibits the consumption of meat and dairy foods, and during the Week of All Saints before the Nativity of Christ one should also abstain from fish and vegetable oil. Only when the days of celebrated saints fall on Wednesday and Friday are vegetable oils allowed, and on the biggest holidays, such as Intercession, fish.
Those who are sick and engaged in hard work are allowed some relief, so that Christians have the strength to pray and do the necessary work, but eating fish on the wrong days, and especially the full permission of fasting, is rejected by the statute.

One-day posts

Epiphany Christmas Eve– January 18, on the eve of the Epiphany. On this day, Christians prepare for cleansing and consecration with holy water on the feast of Epiphany.
Beheading of John the Baptist– September 11. This is the day of remembrance and death of the great prophet John.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross– September 27. The memory of the Savior's suffering on the cross for the salvation of the human race. This day is spent in prayer, fasting, and contrition for sins.
One-day posts– days of strict fasting (except Wednesday and Friday). Fish is prohibited, but food with vegetable oil is allowed.

Orthodox holidays. About meals on holidays

According to the Church Charter, there is no fasting on the holidays of the Nativity of Christ and Epiphany, which happened on Wednesday and Friday. On Christmas and Epiphany Eves and on the holidays of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord and the Beheading of John the Baptist, food with vegetable oil is allowed. On the feasts of the Presentation, Transfiguration of the Lord, Dormition, Nativity and Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, Her Entry into the Temple, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Theologian, which occurred on Wednesday and Friday, as well as in the period from Easter to Trinity on Wednesday and Friday Fish allowed.

When marriage is not performed

On the eve of Wednesday and Friday of the whole year (Tuesday and Thursday), Sundays (Saturday), twelve days, temple and great holidays; in continuation of the posts: Veliky, Petrov, Uspensky, Rozhdestvensky; in continuation of Christmastide, on Meat Week, during Cheese Week (Maslenitsa) and on Cheese Week; during Easter (Bright) week and on the days of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27.



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