According to the Typikon of the Orthodox Patristic Tradition and on the basis of the calendar (see above Orthodox calendar, portable icon, 19th century, The Holy Monastery of Pantokrator), the fasting periods are defined, with the abstention of certain foods and drinks. Similarly, specific periods of their abolition are also defined. Fasting permeates the whole year and leads to a five-level gradation. At each level of fasting, the following levels are fasted, with the last level corresponding to a non-fasting period.

Hieromonk Theophilus of Pantokrator lists the periods of fasting and catalepsy.

 

 

As far as the fasting on Wednesday and Friday is concerned, these are already instituted since the time of the Holy Apostles, as mentioned in the verse:

Now the two days of the week we fast, on the Wednesday, because on that day the council was held for the betrayal of our Lord; and on Friday, because on that day the flesh died for our salvation.

(Xth canon)

The true meaning of fasting is fully reflected in the “Lenten” discourse of St. Chrysostom.

THE WORD ‘ABOUT FASTING’

“For now thou shalt abstain from stinking.

…not tasting,

so abstain from sins…

Dost thou fast, not perceiving wine?

Fast and despise wickedness.

For fasting is true

abstinence from sins…..

The gradation of fasting and food fasting, as reflected in the Typikon of the Orthodox Patristic Tradition, is as follows:

Aladoto (Xirofagia)

The Fasting Formula provides for barefoot eating, fibre foods and dry eating.

It is allowed to eat water-boiling food made of vegetable substances (legumes, vegetables, cereals, rice, rice, collies, pasta, bread, potatoes… ), shellfish, molluscs. During dry eating, bread, nuts, nuts, olives, vegetables, fruits, vegetables, fruits are consumed.

Catalysis of wine and oil

According to the Formula of our Orthodox Patristic Tradition, it is permitted to drink wine, as well as to add oil or other vegetable fats and to eat foods which include legumes, vegetables, cereals, rice, rice, collies, pasta, bread, potatoes, shellfish, molluscs, nuts, nuts, olive fruits, vegetables, fruits.

Catalysis of fish

According to our Orthodox Patristic Tradition, eating fish is also allowed, added to the consumption of foods including legumes, vegetables, cereals, rice, collies, pasta, bread, potatoes, shellfish, molluscs, nuts, nuts, olives, vegetables, fruits, wine, oil.

Egg and cheese lye (curd)

According to the Formula of our Orthodox Patristic Tradition, dairy products and eggs are allowed in addition to eating fish and foods which include legumes, vegetables, cereals, rice, rice, collies, pasta, bread, potatoes, shellfish, molluscs, molluscs, nuts, nuts, olives, vegetables, fruits, wine, oil.

Catalysis for life

All foods may be eaten.