Fasting Practices in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Nov 06, 2025 0

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the world’s oldest Christian churches, embraces fasting as a central element of spiritual life. For millions of its followers, fasting is much more than a dietary restriction; it is a profound spiritual discipline that fosters self-control, repentance, and a deeper connection with God.

As the fasting regimen prohibits the consumption of meat, dairy, and eggs, Ethiopian cuisine contains many dishes that can be considered vegan. Legumes such as split peas (ክክ, kək or kikki) and lentils (ምስር, məsər or birsin); or vegetables such as potatoes (ድንች, Dənəch), carrots and chard (ቆስጣ) are common in fasting dishes.

Fasting is abstinence from all things a body needs, and one has to fast from animal products and from any kind of food for a limited time until the period of fasting is over.(Fetha Negest 15, Mt. 6:16). The aim of fasting is to make the desire of the body to obey the will of the soul, to seek forgiveness of guilt and to increase the reward of the soul. Fasting has perpetual relation with religion.

It will be a true fast if the eye is kept from seeing, the mouth from speaking and the ear from hearing evil things. (Mt. 5:21-30; St. As it is said, “Blessed is he who fasts to feed the poor”, if any fasting man gives what he has allocated for his lunch and supper to the poor, his fast will be more complete. (Isa.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has its own laws and orders of fasting. In the tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the canon demands that all its followers above the age of seven should observe all the fasts mentioned above.

During fasts, the observant are required to partake in no more than one meal a day, which is to be eaten in the afternoon or evening. This meal excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, and fats. Additionally, smoking and other indulgences are strictly prohibited during fasting periods, reinforcing the focus on spiritual discipline.

Fasting is viewed as a form of spiritual warfare, empowering believers to resist the temptations of the flesh and to cultivate virtues such as humility, patience, and love. By “chastising the body and bringing it under subjection,” as St. Paul advises (1 Corinthians 9:27), fasting allows the spirit to triumph over the desires of the flesh.

The Ethiopian and Eritrean liturgical calendars have seven major fasts in a year. Some of the fasts may have different dates from one year to the next, depending on whether the year is a leap year or not.

Here's a list of official fasts recognized by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church:

The Fast of the Prophets (also known as Ye Genna Tsom or Christmas Fast)
The Fast of Nineveh (known as Tsome Nenewe)
Great Lent (known as Abiy Tsom or Hudade)
The Fast of the Apostles (Tsome Hawariat)
The fast of Wednesdays and Fridays (Tsome Dehnet)
The Fast of the Assumption (Tsome Filseta)
The Fast known as Gahad

Let's explore some of these fasts in more detail:

Abiy Tsom (Hudadi)

Abiy Tsom, also known as Hudadi or the Great Fast, is the most significant and solemn period of fasting in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. This fast, which parallels Lent in other Christian traditions, extends for 56 days. It begins on the Monday following the Sunday of Debre Zeyt (the Feast of Mount Tabor) and concludes on the Saturday before Fasika (Easter Sunday).

The biblical foundation for Abiy Tsom is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. It mirrors the 40 days and nights that Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness, as recounted in the Gospels (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). During Abiy Tsom, adherents of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church strictly abstain from all animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs.

The Great Fast has 8 weeks which consist of 55 days. The first week is known as the fast of Heraclius (ጾመ ህርቃል), the Byzantine Emperor who lived in 614 A.D. The last week of Lent is called Passion Week (ሰሞነ ህማማት- Semone Himamati) during which the Apostles fasted in commemoration of Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos’s Passion. Thus this Lent is called great because firstly, it is the Lord’s fast.

St. Yared, the Ethiopian hymnologist who wrote the hymn of our church has composed in his hymn book known as “Tsome Digua” (Hymn of Fast) songs for each Sunday of the Great Fast. So each Sunday during the Great Fast is named after the song of that Sunday.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of each Sunday during the Great Fast:

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The first Sunday of the Great Fast is known as the “Zewerede - ዘወረደ” (“Zewerede” means the one who descended from above).
The second Sunday is called “Kidist- ቅድስት”. Kidist means holy.
We call the third Sunday “Mikurab-ምኩራብ”. The word Mikurab stands for the synagogue.
The fourth Sunday is known as “Mesague - መጻጉእ” Mesague means one who is infirm. (Jn. 5:1-9).
The fifth Sunday is called “Debre Zeit - ደብረ ዘይት”. Debre Zeit is the Geez word for Mount of Olives.
We call the sixth Sunday “Good Servant - ገብር ሔር (gebiri ḥeri)”. The story of the good servant who received five talents and made a profit of five more talents is told and sung on this day. (Mt.
The seventh Sunday is called “Nicodemus - ኒቆዲሞስ”.
The eighth Sunday is Hosanna-ሆሳዕና (Palm Sunday).

The week from the eve of (Hosanna) Palm Sunday to Easter is known as Passion Week - ሰሞነ ህማማት (Semone Himamati). On these days, varieties of food are not eaten. Adoration is given to God. A book known as “Gibrehimamat - ግብረ ህማማት” composed of different passages taken from the Scriptures and other religious books dealing with the passion and death of Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos is read. The altar is covered with a black cloth in remembrance of the dark centuries during which Adam was alienated from his Creator. The priests wear black vestments.

Ethiopian Orthodox Priest

Passion Week

Passion Week is a significant part of the Great Fast, commemorating the Passion of Jesus Christ. Here’s a breakdown of the observances during this week:

Palm Sunday (Hosanna): It is a commemorative day on which Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos entered into the temple in triumph and during which the people sing “Hosanna in the highest”.
Monday: It is a day on which Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos curse ‘the not bearing fruit’ Fig Tree Matthew 21:19.
Thursday: It is a day on which the Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos in absolute humility washed His Disciples feet, ate the Last Supper with them and revealed the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. On this day the Liturgy is celebrated.
Good Friday: Good Friday is sometimes called a day of prostration - ስግደት (Sigideti). Patting the faithful in this way symbolizes the whipping of Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos.
Saturday (Se’ur Saturday): This day is called “Se’ur” (unobserved) Saturday. On Saturday morning, the laity and the clergy gather in the church. After the appropriate Morning Prayer is over, the clergy singing the song “Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos made reconciliation by his crucifixion” give sedge to the people assembled, as a symbol of good tidings.

The Apostles did not eat and drink until they knew of the resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos. In accordance with this practice, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who have the strength to abstain from every kind of food for two days can fast on both Friday and Saturday (Akfelot- አክፍሎት). But those who have not the strength fast on Saturday only. (Lk. 5:5-35; Fetha Negest Art. 15 No. 6.

The clergy wearing their vestments, holding a cross and ringing a bell go to the houses of the people who did not come to the Church and give them the sedge (ቄጠማ-k’ēt’ema) as a symbol of good news saying - Satan bound and Sheol became empty (Diyabilosi tasere Sioli teberebere- ዲያቢሎስ ታሰረ ሲኦል ተበረበረ). It is also called Green Saturday for on this day the sedge is given out.

Sene Tsom (Tsome Hawariat)

Sene Tsom, also known as Tsome Hawariat or the Fast of the Apostles, is a significant observance in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, dedicated to honoring the Apostles who, according to tradition, fasted and prayed fervently after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This fast begins on the Monday following the Feast of Pentecost and lasts between 10 to 40 days, depending on the date of Easter.

The reason for this fast is rooted in the Apostles’ commitment to their divine mission. After Pentecost, they prepared themselves through fasting and prayer to spread the Gospel and establish the early Church. The fast concludes on the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, which is fixed on the 5th of Hamle in the Ethiopian calendar.

Filseta Tsom (Tsome Filseta)

Filseta Tsom, also known as Tsome Filseta or the Fast of the Assumption, is a 16-day period of fasting observed in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It begins on the 1st of Nehassie and concludes on the 15th, culminating in the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

This fast is dedicated to honoring the Virgin Mary, who holds a revered place in Ethiopian Orthodox devotion. According to tradition, the fast commemorates the time leading up to Mary’s assumption into heaven, reflecting her purity and deep connection to God. During Filseta Tsom, the faithful adhere to strict dietary restrictions, abstaining from animal products while focusing on prayer and meditation.

Our Holy Mother Virgin Mariam departed from this world on 21st of Tir (January 29th) in 50 A.D. While the Apostles were taking her body for burial at Gethsemani, the Jewish priests dispersed them. At this time the Angels took Our Holy Mother Virgin Mariam’s body to paradise and put it under the Tree of Life (The Miracle of St.

According to these sources, St. John the Apostle, used to be taken to paradise to burn incense over her body. When he told this fact to the Apostles, they went for retreat and fasted for two weeks, praying to God to reveal this mystery to them. On the fourteenth day of their fast the angels brought Our Holy Mother Virgin Mariam’s body and gave them to bury it.

During these 15 days, members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church even children fast and partake of the Holy Communion. In these 15 days many elderly people go for retreat leaving their homes, abstaining from nutritious food and subsisting only on cereals and water. They spend all the fifteen days fasting and praying.

St. George Cathedral in Addis Abeba

Nenewe Tsom (Tsome Nenewe)

Nenewe Tsom, also known as Tsome Nenewe or the Fast of Nineveh, is a three-day fast observed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the third week before the start of Lent. This fast commemorates the repentance of the people of Nineveh in response to the preaching of the Prophet Jonah, as recounted in the Book of Jonah.

The Fast of Nineveh is a time for believers to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness, mirroring the deep repentance shown by the Ninevites. During this fast, the faithful observe strict abstinence from food and drink until evening, reflecting on themes of repentance, humility, and divine compassion.

This is a three days fast, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It falls at one time in January and at another in February. Thus it is one of the rotating fasts. The reason behind the decision of our Church Fathers, that this fast be observed is that as the people of Nineveh were saved from the wrath of God through prayer and fasting, so also the faithful will receive mercy and blessings through this fast. (Jon. 3:5- 9; Mt.

Tsige Tsom (The Fast of the Holy Family)

Tsige Tsom, also known as the Fast of the Holy Family, is a 40-day spiritual observance held by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It commemorates the flight of the Holy Family-Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus-from Bethlehem to Egypt to escape the brutal decree of King Herod, who ordered the massacre of male infants. This journey symbolizes divine protection and the sacrifices undertaken for salvation.

While Tsige Tsom is considered an optional fast, it holds deep significance for many Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. Participants observe the fast by abstaining from animal products, adhering to a vegan diet as a means of spiritual purification and solidarity with the Holy Family’s trials.

Gena Tsom / Nebiyat Tsom (Tsome Nebiyat)

Nebiyat Tsom, also known as Tsome Nebiyat or Gena Tsom, is a 40-day fast observed in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It begins on the 16th of Hedar and concludes on Christmas Eve.

This fast commemorates the hardships endured by the Holy Family-Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus-during their flight to Egypt to escape King Herod’s decree, as described in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:13-15). During Nebiyat Tsom, the faithful abstain from all animal products and focus on prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection.

We observe this fast following the examples of the prophets who were fasting and praying in their times longing for the Advent of Our Lord and Saviour Eyesus Christos.

Tsome Dihinet

Tsome Dihinet is a regular fasting practice observed on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, except during the 50-day period following Easter (Fasika). These fasts hold deep spiritual significance, embodying religious discipline and devotion.

The Wednesday fast commemorates the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot, while the Friday fast honors Christ’s crucifixion. During Tsome Dihinet, believers abstain from consuming animal products and often delay their first meal until after midday. The days are dedicated to prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth, emphasizing the virtues of humility, repentance, and a closer connection to God.

Every week Wednesdays and Fridays are observed as fast days except during the fifty days (between Easter and Pentecost), and on the days of Christmas (Lidit) and Epiphany (Timkat), when these festivals fall on these days. As is well known, Friday is a blessed day on which the Lord is crucified in his flesh and the hope of redemption which was expected for a long time was fulfilled. (Jn. 19:17- 30; Lk, 23:26-49). Wednesdays and Fridays should be observed every week in fasting and prayer. (The Law of Kings article 15; Didas.

In the morning people eat meat, milk products and so on even if the days are Wednesdays or Fridays. So if Christmas (ልደት - Lidite) and Epiphany (ጥምቀት -Timiketi) fall on Wednesday and Friday, Tuesday and Thursday will be fast days.

The Gahads (Eves of Feasts)

In addition to regular fasting practices, the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar has special fasting days known as Gahads, which are the eves of major feasts. These days are marked by intensified fasting and prayer as believers prepare spiritually for the significance of the upcoming feast.

Gahad of Christmas: Observed on the eve of Christmas, this day marks the conclusion of the Fast of the Nativity.

Exceptions and Relaxations in Ethiopian Orthodox Fasting

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church upholds strict fasting practices, but there are certain exceptions and relaxations. One notable exception is the 50-day period between Fasika (Easter) and Pentecost, known as the Feast of Feasts, during which fasting is not observed, allowing for a continuous celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

Additionally, if major feasts such as Genna (Christmas) or Timkat (Epiphany) fall on a Wednesday or Friday-days typically reserved for fasting-the fasting rules for those days are relaxed, permitting a full celebration of the feast.

Exceptions are also made for those with specific needs. Children, the elderly, the sick, and pregnant women may be exempt from fasting or may observe a modified fast based on their circumstances. However, such decisions are generally made in consultation with a spiritual father or priest, ensuring that the relaxation of the fast aligns with the individual’s spiritual well-being.

Fasting in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is more than a dietary practice; it is a profound expression of faith and discipline. Through fasting, believers are invited to share in the sufferings of Christ, purify their hearts, and deepen their relationship with God. It is a holistic practice involving prayer, repentance, and acts of charity, all aimed at transforming the believer’s life and drawing them closer to the divine.