Fasting is an integral part of Orthodox Christian life. The Syriac Orthodox Christian traditions on fasting are diverse. Typically when we fast, we abstain from food and drink from sunup to sundown. After sundown, we consume foods and beverages that do not contain animal products (meaning, no meats, milk, eggs, butter, cheese, etc.). This type of diet is also known in modern language as "Vegan."

The art of fasting is a very spiritual, esoteric undertaking that removes us in some small ways from this material world. Likewise, fasting is a deeply intimate experience between the individual fasting, and God. Fasting is not etched in stone so much as it is our opportunity to grow in our Lord. Those who are unable for health reasons to change their diet should not put themselves at physical risk, but rather, fast in giving up other luxuries of this world (i.e., Television, Video Games, Caffine, etc.). When many people fast, they observe only the dietary portion and not the daylight portion. Others like the Greeks, give up olive oil in addition to their regular dietary fast. It is certainly a unique, diverse art.

There are six fasts in the Syriac Tradition: Nineweh, the Great Lent, the Apostles, Our Lady, Christmas also known as Advent, and Wednesdays and Fridays during the year.

This section will continually be updated.

ON FASTING