St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church
A Western Rite Parish in Spokane, Washington, under the primacy of His Eminence, Metropolitan SABA
A Western Rite Parish in Spokane, Washington, under
the primacy of His Eminence, Metropolitan SABA
A Western Rite Parish in Spokane, Washington, under the primacy of His Eminence, Metropolitan SABA
A Western Rite Parish in Spokane, Washington, under
the primacy of His Eminence, Metropolitan SABA
Lent calls us to return to God with simplicity and devotion. This guide offers the essentials of the Western Orthodox fast to help you keep the season with clarity and reverence.
Rules, Abstinence, and Pescatarian Practice
As we enter the holy season of Lent, the Church invites us to return to God with renewed devotion, humility, and love. The Western Orthodox fasting tradition helps us quiet the body so the soul may awaken, guiding us toward repentance and deeper communion with Christ. This guide offers a simple overview of the Lenten fast as it is observed in the Western Rite, so that each of us may keep the season with intention, reverence, and hope.
In the Western Orthodox tradition, the Lenten fast begins at midnight on Ash Wednesday. The fast includes both abstinence (avoiding flesh‑meat and its juices) and fasting (reducing the number and quantity of meals).
Abstinence means refraining from:
The Western Orthodox fast is pescatarian. The following foods are permitted:
In addition to abstinence from flesh‑meat, fasting also limits the amount of food:
All faithful are encouraged to observe the fasts of the Church. If you have questions about how to keep the fast, please reach out to Fr. Gabriel.
Sundays are days of abstinence only, not fasting:
All faithful are encouraged to observe the abstinence days appointed by the Church.