More than 90% of Greeks are the members of Greek Orthodox Church. Here, faith plays a vital role in the Greek life. Greek Orthodox faith follows numerous fasts during an year, that is abstinence from the foods obtained from animals which contain red blood (only cephalopods are allowed as they don’t have red blood), dairy products and occasionally, from olive oil as well as wine.
Strict followers of all the fast days and fasting periods follow these guidelines for about 180 days in a year. Complete fasting is reserved for the period of time prior to taking the Holy Communion. Foods which are allowed during the fasting are known as nistisima and these are consumed during Great Lent and other fasting periods.
Major Fasting Periods:
In a year, there are four major fasting periods. They include:
- Fast of The Apostles: This lasts from 1 — 6 weeks. This begins on the Monday, 8 days after the Pentecost and this ends on 28th of June, the day before feast day of the Saints Peter and Paul.
- The Great Lent: This starts on Monday, 7 weeks before the Easter. This Monday, known as Kathari Theftera, refers to Clean Monday. On weekends, fating restrictions are eased. Restrictions are not applicable on Palm Sunday and Lazarus Saturday.
- Fast of the Dormition of Theotokos: This is practiced from 1st – 14th of August.
- Christmas Fast: This is practiced from 15th November to 24th December.
Individual Fast Days:
- Wednesdays and Fridays
- 14th September: Feast of the Elevation of Holy Cross
- 29th August: Beheading of St. John, the Baptist
- 5th January: On the eve of Theophany
Days When Fasting isn’t Allowed:
On the following days fasting is not allowed:
- A week after the Pentecost
- A week after the Easter
- 10th week before the Easter
- In between Christmas and Theophany
