In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, it is probably easier to say when we are
not fasting. We do not fast at all during the seven weeks between Easter and Pentecost. This period, known as "the Holy Fifty", is reserved for joyful observance of the Resurrection. Fasting is also forbidden on Sundays, obviously, as that is when we celebrate the liturgy, though the fast to prepare for liturgy is to be from midnight or for nine hours, whichever is longer.
The fasts that we observe are mostly similar as the Eastern Orthodox fasts already posted by our friend GreekOrthodox, though with a few differences specific to Egyptian practice:
- The Nativity Fast: For 40 days leading up to the Nativity of Jesus Christ, our Lord, God, and Savior (ending January 7th/Kiahk 27 on the Coptic calendar). Before this, there is an additional three days of fasting to commemorate the miracle of St. Simon the Tanner moving Mt. Mokattam in the 10th century to spare the Christians of Egypt from destruction at the orders of the Caliph. (Story here)
- The Fast of the Ninevites: Also called "Jonah's Fast", as it recalls Jonah's call to the people of Nineveh that they repent. It is three days, beginning on the Monday two weeks before the start of Great Lent. This is actually borrowed into the Egyptian Church from the Syrians (Syriac Orthodox) of Mesopotamia, as it was introduced into Egyptian practice by one of the ethnically Syrian Popes of the Coptic Orthodox Church (HH Pope Abraam, 10th century).
- Great Lent: For us, this is 55 days, not the 40 that is known in Western Christianity. It includes a preparatory week which helps the people get ready for the fast 'proper', similar to how the Eastern Orthodox have cheesefare week in preparation for their Great Lent (though we do not have that; cheesefare, as I understand it, is when people of Chalcedonian Eastern Christian tradition -- EO and Eastern Catholics -- will observe a week of eating their remaining dairy products in preparation for Great Lent, when that stuff is not allowed).
- Holy Week/Pascha: The week preceding Easter (Pascha). This is a period of intense fasting, as many of the services we hold during this week are incredibly long -- e.g., on Good Friday, we do all seven hours of the Agpeya at their appropriate times (circa 7 am for Prime to 6 pm for Compline), and then meet again at 11 pm for the Apocalypse Night (Bright Saturday), which doesn't end until around 6 am. ("Apocalypse" here refers to the Apocalypse of St. John, a.k.a. Revelation, which is read allowed in its entirety with appropriate responses unique to this service.)
- The Fast of the Apostles: This is the most variable fast in terms of its length, as it is tied to the calculation of the date of Pascha/Easter. It can be as many as 49 or as few as 15 days. It begins on the Monday following the Sunday of Pentecost, and extends to the Feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul (July 12/Epip 5). It recalls the struggles of the Apostles to preach Christianity throughout the world. Fish is permitted during this fast.
- St. Mary's Fast (the Fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos): Fifteen days from August 7 (Mesori 1) to August 22 (Mesori 16).
- The yearly Wednesday/Friday fasts (established in the Didache, 1st century): Except for the Holy Fifty days mentioned earlier and any day where a major feast might fall, this is for the entire liturgical year.
- The Paramon Fasts: The days preceding the feasts of the Nativity and of the Theophany are fasting days.
Our fasts are 100% vegan (no animal products), with the exception of The Fast of the Apostles and
I think Advent (? not sure on this, because I've actually not had the opportunity to attend liturgy at this time of the year due to conflicting obligations with non-Orthodox family living in other parts of the country), which
allow fish as a concession to those who need it in order to participate in the fasts at all, like the elderly and others who normally wouldn't fast. (I don't really like fish, so I never pay attention to this anyway, but it's important when considering these sorts of things to remember that the majority of the Church remains in Egypt, where fish is the primary source of affordable meat, and hence probably the best source of certain proteins and vitamins most people outside of the cities have, and of course most of the Church's population is poor farmers and fishermen and the like in Upper Egypt/the Sa'id, so it is better that people be allowed to eat fish during certain periods when that is most of what is available then to forbid it and have them just not fast because it's an undue hardship, rather than the blessing and joy that it is designed to be.)
I can't really say that "during the feasts we live to eat", as our Greek Orthodox friend has, but I
can say that the Paschal feast at my old parish is the single largest collection of meat I have ever seen anywhere in my entire life, including at any deli or steakhouse I've ever been to.
So it's certainly there if you want it, though in my personal experience my appetite for lamb kebab is not
really at its peak at
1 am!
