Can I Eat Eggs During Orthodox Fasting? A Comprehensive Guide to Fasting Rules

December 11, 2025 •

4 min read

Orthodox Christians observe over 180 fasting days per year, and a common question arises: can I eat eggs during orthodox fasting? The answer is generally no, but the specific rules depend on the fasting period and the guidance of your spiritual father.

Quick Summary

A guide to whether Orthodox Christians can eat eggs during various fasting periods. It covers the general rules, key exceptions, and the spiritual meaning behind the practice, emphasizing the importance of consulting a priest.

Key Points

General Rule: No, eggs are typically forbidden during Orthodox fasting periods like Great Lent and on weekly fast days.
Exceptions: Eggs are permitted during Cheesefare Week, the final week leading up to Great Lent when meat is forbidden but dairy and eggs are still allowed.
Flexibility: The fasting rules are not legalistic and can be relaxed for health reasons, illness, age, travel, or other circumstances, after consulting a priest.
Spiritual Purpose: The focus of fasting is on controlling passions and redirecting the will toward God, not simply on dietary restrictions.
Guidance: Always consult your spiritual father or a priest for guidance regarding your personal fasting practice and any necessary modifications.
All Seasons: The prohibition on eggs generally applies to Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, the Dormition Fast, and the Apostles' Fast, as well as weekly fast days.

The Core Principle: Abstaining from Animal Products

Orthodox fasting is an ancient spiritual discipline intended to help the faithful gain control over their passions, focus on prayer, and draw closer to God. It is not a legalistic set of rules, but a tool for inner transformation. One of the central tenets involves abstaining from certain food groups derived from animals. Specifically, during designated fasting seasons and days, Orthodox Christians avoid meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs. This practice extends to all products containing these ingredients, from lard in baked goods to milk solids in processed foods. The prohibition on eggs is part of this broader principle, as they are considered an animal product that should be excluded from the diet during these times of spiritual focus.

The Rule: When Eggs are Forbidden

Great Lent

Great Lent, the longest and strictest fasting season, is a period of intense preparation for Pascha (Easter). Eggs are strictly forbidden throughout this entire time, which typically lasts for six weeks, plus Holy Week. The exception to this rule is Cheesefare Week, the final week leading up to Great Lent, where meat is excluded but dairy and eggs are still permitted. During Holy Week, the fast becomes even more rigorous, with no eggs, dairy, fish, or wine allowed.

Weekly Fasts (Wednesdays and Fridays)

Most Orthodox Christians are expected to observe a fast every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year, unless a fast-free period has been declared. These days commemorate the betrayal of Christ by Judas (Wednesday) and His crucifixion (Friday). On these weekly fast days, eggs are among the foods that are to be avoided.

Other Fasting Seasons

Besides Great Lent, the Orthodox Church observes three other major fasting periods during the year, all of which require abstaining from eggs:

The Nativity Fast: Lasting 40 days before Christmas, this fast varies in strictness but forbids eggs.
The Dormition Fast: A two-week period in August, this fast is traditionally as strict as Great Lent in its prohibition of eggs and dairy.
The Apostles' Fast: This fast varies in length and is more lenient than Great Lent, but still forbids eggs.

The Exceptions: When Eggs are Permitted

Cheesefare Week

As mentioned, Cheesefare Week is the final week before Great Lent begins. During this period, the faithful abstain from meat but are allowed to consume dairy and eggs, preparing their bodies for the stricter fast to come.

Health and Medical Reasons

The Church recognizes that strict fasting can be detrimental to some individuals' health. Exceptions are always permitted for small children, the elderly, pregnant or nursing mothers, and those with medical conditions such as diabetes. In these cases, it is crucial to consult with a priest to determine an appropriate fasting rule that does not compromise one's health. The goal is spiritual growth, not physical harm.

Personal Guidance and Dispensation

Fasting is a personal journey, and the rules are not one-size-fits-all. A spiritual father may give a layperson a dispensation to relax certain aspects of the fast, including the consumption of eggs, based on their personal situation, spiritual maturity, and capacity. This might be especially relevant for those new to the Orthodox faith or for those living in mixed-faith households. The key is honest conversation and a desire to fulfill the spirit of the fast, not just the letter of the law.

Comparison Table: Egg Rules by Fasting Period


Fasting Period	Eggs Permitted?	Notes
Great Lent (Weekdays)	No	Strictly forbidden, along with meat, dairy, oil, and wine.
Great Lent (Weekends)	No	Still forbidden, though oil and wine may be permitted in some traditions.
Holy Week	No	The fast is especially strict, with eggs and dairy forbidden.
Cheesefare Week	Yes	Permitted during this week before Great Lent, as only meat is restricted.
Weekly Fasts (Wed/Fri)	No	Eggs are among the prohibited foods on most Wednesdays and Fridays.
Other Fasting Seasons	No	Eggs are generally forbidden during the Nativity, Dormition, and Apostles' Fasts.
Health Exemptions	Yes	Dispensation can be granted by a priest for valid health reasons.

Conclusion

While the general rule in the Orthodox Church is to abstain from eggs during designated fasting periods, the application is not legalistic. The spiritual goal is to practice self-control and repentance with humility and joy, not to suffer physically. For most Orthodox Christians observing the standard fast, eggs are not permitted during the major fasts or on weekly fast days. However, exceptions exist, particularly during Cheesefare Week and for those with health concerns, where a spiritual father’s guidance is essential. The discipline of fasting is ultimately a means to strengthen one's relationship with God, and it should always be approached with prayer, charity, and wisdom, never to the detriment of one's body or spirit. You can read more about Orthodox fasting on the Holy Protection Orthodox Church website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eggs are considered an animal product, and Orthodox fasting tradition involves abstaining from meat, dairy, and eggs to practice spiritual discipline and temperance. It's a method for Christians to gain control over their passions.

Yes, eggs are permitted during Cheesefare Week, which is the final week before Great Lent begins. During this time, the faithful abstain from meat but can still eat dairy and eggs.

You should generally avoid eggs during Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, the Dormition Fast, the Apostles' Fast, and the regular weekly fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays.

No, there are many exceptions. Children, the sick, the elderly, pregnant or nursing women, and those traveling often have relaxed rules. Fasting is meant to be spiritually beneficial, not physically harmful.

Yes. If you have health concerns, you should speak with your priest, who can give you a dispensation to modify your fasting rule. Your health should always be prioritized.

During the fast, you can eat a variety of plant-based foods, including legumes, grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and pasta not made with eggs. Shellfish is also generally permitted.

The level of fasting, including abstaining from eggs, should be discussed with your priest. The strict monastic rule is an ideal, but a layperson's capacity should be taken into consideration, and pride in fasting should be avoided.