Q&A Home > F > Fasts

How many times do we fast per year (excluding Wednesdays and Fridays)?

There are several significant fasts observed throughout the year. Excluding Wednesdays and Fridays, we fast the following:

• 55 days for Lent (Holy Great Fast)
• 43 days for Advent (Nativity Fast)
• The number of days varies-starts the day after the Pentecost Feast, which is the fiftieth day following the Holy Resurrection, and ends July 12 for the Apostles Feast which is in commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. Peter and St. Paul
• 2 weeks for the St. Mary Fast (concludes with her Assumption Feast)
• 3 days for the Nineveh Fast (2 weeks prior to Holy Great Fast)
• 1-3 days for the Paramoun of Epiphany