Fasting in the Orthodox Church is usually considered abstaining from certain foods during specific days or periods. However, fasting means more than simply abstaining from types of foods. It also may include refraining from marital relations and limiting entertainment, for instance. Certainly, it is a time when there is increased focus on refraining from evil actions and thoughts.
Having rejoiced for fifty days following Pascha (Easter), the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles began to prepare for their departure from Jerusalem to spread Christ's message. According to Sacred Tradition, as part of their preparation, they began a fast with prayer to ask God to strengthen their resolve and to be with them in their missionary undertakings.
The scriptural foundation for the Fast is found in the Synoptic Gospels, when the Pharisees criticised the apostles for not fasting, Jesus said to them, "Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the Bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast." (Matthew 9:15) In the immediate sense, Christ was referring to being taken to be crucified; but in the wider sense it is understood in terms of his Ascension into heaven, and his commission to preach the Gospel, which can only be accomplished with prayer and fasting.
