Orthodox Fasting Days March 2025
March 2025 has 29 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. Great Lent from 3 to 31 March. During the fast, fish is allowed on 25 March. Strict fast (no oil): 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 March.
| Day | Fast | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sat | No meat | Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 2 Sun | No meat | Cheesefare (Forgiveness) Sunday · Fast-free week — Cheesefare week (between Meatfare and Cheesefare Sunday) |
| 3 Mon | Strict | Clean Monday — Great Lent begins · Great Lent |
| 4 Tue | Strict | Great Lent |
| 5 Wed | Strict | Great Lent |
| 6 Thu | Strict | Great Lent |
| 7 Fri | Strict | Great Lent |
| 8 Sat | Oil | Great Lent |
| 9 Sun | Oil | Great Lent |
| 10 Mon | Oil | Great Lent |
| 11 Tue | Oil | Great Lent |
| 12 Wed | Oil | Great Lent |
| 13 Thu | Oil | Great Lent |
| 14 Fri | Oil | Great Lent |
| 15 Sat | Oil | Great Lent |
| 16 Sun | Oil | Great Lent |
| 17 Mon | Oil | Great Lent |
| 18 Tue | Oil | Great Lent |
| 19 Wed | Oil | Great Lent |
| 20 Thu | Oil | Great Lent |
| 21 Fri | Oil | Great Lent |
| 22 Sat | Oil | Great Lent |
| 23 Sun | Oil | Great Lent |
| 24 Mon | Oil | Great Lent |
| 25 Tue | Fish | Annunciation · Great Lent |
| 26 Wed | Oil | Great Lent |
| 27 Thu | Oil | Great Lent |
| 28 Fri | Oil | Great Lent |
| 29 Sat | Oil | Great Lent |
| 30 Sun | Oil | Great Lent |
| 31 Mon | Oil | Great Lent |
Legend
- No fast
No fasting — all foods are allowed.
- No meat
Cheesefare week before Lent: no meat, but fish, eggs, cheese and milk are allowed.
- Fish
No meat, dairy or eggs; fish, oil and wine are allowed.
- Oil
Plant food cooked with oil, and wine; no fish.
- Strict
Plant food without oil (and no wine).
- No food
Nothing is eaten; the infirm and elderly may have bread and water.
Frequently asked questions
How many fast days are there in March 2025?
March 2025 has 29 fast days in the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar. Great Lent from 3 to 31 March. During the fast, fish is allowed on 25 March. Strict fast (no oil): 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 March.
On which days is fish allowed in March 2025?
Fish is allowed on 25 March. In Cheesefare week (1 and 2 March) fish, eggs and dairy are all allowed — only meat is not.
Is there a strict fast in March 2025?
Yes: a strict fast without oil on 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 March.
When is the next fast?
The Apostles' (Peter and Paul) Fast begins on 16 June 2025 and lasts 13 days.
Following the general rules of the Bulgarian Orthodox Typikon for laypeople. How each person fasts is agreed with their confessor; the sick, pregnant women, children and travellers are given relief.