Wednesday and Friday Fasting
Early Christian writings commonly call believers to fast on Wednesday and Friday, especially in the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions. Peter of Alexandria also names the fourth and sixth days as fast days, while Sunday is treated as a joy day. The practice is tied to the Lord’s betrayal and suffering, but writers like Irenaeus also note that fasting customs varied among Christians.
124 early-church witnesses · 203 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about wednesday and Friday fasting?
Early Christian writings do teach regular fasting on Wednesday and Friday, especially in the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions, with Peter of Alexandria also naming the fourth and sixth days as fast days. The reason is tied to the Lord’s betrayal and suffering, while Sunday and often Saturday are treated as feast days rather than fast days. There is also some variation:
Irenaeus says fasting customs differed in length and practice among earlier Christians, and Dionysius of Alexandria treats fasting more broadly, not only by weekdays. So the main pattern is clear, but the exact discipline and reasons are not identical in every writer. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- The Didache tells Christians to fast on the fourth day and Friday instead of the second and fifth days.
- The Apostolic Constitutions and Peter of Alexandria also connect Wednesday and Friday fasting to betrayal, suffering, and tradition.
- Sunday is usually kept as a day of joy, and some writers say fasting habits were not exactly the same everywhere.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians fast on Wednesday and Friday?
Several early Christian texts explicitly instruct believers to fast on the fourth day and the Preparation, or on Wednesday and Friday. The Didache and Apostolic Constitutions are the clearest direct witnesses, and Peter of Alexandria confirms the same custom as received tradition.
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Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Direct teaching
Do not let your fasts be like those of the hypocrites. For they fast on the second and fifth days of the week. But you should fast on the fourth day and on the Preparation (Friday). Do not pray like the hypocrites. Instead, as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, pray like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debt, as we also forgive our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (or, evil); for Yours is the power and the glory forever." Pray like this three times a day.
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Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness
No one shall find fault with us for observing the fourth day of the week, and the preparation, on which it is reasonably enjoined us to fast according to the tradition.
More related quotations from this section 6 shown
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Irenaeus, Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus Direct teaching
The controversy is not just about the day, but also about the way of fasting itself. Some feel obliged to fast for one day, others for two days, and some for more, while others for forty days: they count both day and night hours together as their fasting day. This variety among those observing the fast didn't start in our time—it began long ago with our predecessors. Some of them probably, not being very precise in their observance, passed down the custom to future generations as it was, through simplicity or personal preference. Yet, despite this, all of them lived in peace with one another, and we also maintain peace together. Thus, the difference in observing the fast fosters the harmony of our shared faith. The presbyters before Soter who led the Church you now govern—namely, Anicetus, Pius, Hyginus, Telesphorus, and Sixtus—neither observed it in that manner themselves nor allowed those with them to do so. Despite this, those who did not observe the feast in this way remained at peace with those from other dioceses where it was practiced, even though such observance was more strongly opposed by those who did not conform to it; and no one was ever expelled from the Church over t
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Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Direct teaching
But if there are any who not only decline such protracted fasting, but refuse at the first to fast at all, and rather indulge themselves luxuriously during the first four days, and then when they reach the last two days — viz., the preparation and the Sabbath— fast with due rigour during these, and these alone, and think that they do something grand and brilliant if they hold out till the morning, I cannot think that they have gone through the time on equal terms with those who have been practising the same during several days before.
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Irenaeus, Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus Supporting witness
For some consider themselves bound to fast one day, others two days, others still more, while others [do so during] forty: the diurnal and the nocturnal hours they measure out together as their [fasting] day.
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Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Supporting witness
Those who are too hasty, and give up even before midnight, we reprehend as remiss and intemperate, and as almost breaking off from their course in their precipitation, for it is a wise man's word, That is not little in life which is within a little.
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Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Supporting witness
but some pass even all the days as a fast, remaining without food through the whole;
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Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Supporting witness
while others take but two, and others three, and others four, and others not even one.
Why did early Christians fast on Wednesday and Friday?
The sources explain Wednesday fasting by the betrayal of the Lord and Friday fasting by his suffering and death. Several texts also connect the practice to the Passion week and the mourning character of those days.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Therefore, you should fast on the days of the Passover, beginning from the second day of the week until the Preparation, and the Sabbath, for six days. During this time, use only bread, salt, herbs, and water for your drink. But on these days abstain from wine and meat, because they are days of mourning and not of feasting. Those of you who are able should fast completely on the day of the Preparation and on the Sabbath day, tasting nothing until the cock-crowing in the night. But if anyone is not able to keep both together, then at least let him observe the Sabbath day. For the Lord says somewhere, speaking about Himself: "When the bridegroom is taken away from them, in those days they will fast." Therefore, in these days He was taken from us by the Jews, falsely so called, fastened to the cross, and numbered among the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12
How did early Christians describe the meaning of fasting?
The sources emphasize that fasting should not be merely external. They describe true fasting as linked with prayer, repentance, self-control, and giving to the poor.
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Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness
Zonaras says, "The fourth and sixth days of every week must always be kept as fast days. No one will find fault with us for fasting on those days," and he adds the reasons for this. But we should not fast on the Lord's Day, because it is a day of joy for the Lord's resurrection. And on that day, he says, we have received the rule that we should not even kneel. Therefore, this phrase, "we have received," should be carefully noted. It means that this is commanded to us according to tradition. From this it is clear that a long-established custom was accepted as law. Moreover, the great Basil also adds the reasons why it was forbidden to bend the knee on the Lord's Day, and from Passover to Pentecost. Read also the sixty-sixth and sixty-ninth Apostolical canons.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
...d three nights, Jonah 3:5, escaped the execution of wrath. And Esther, and Mordecai, and Judith, by fasting, escaped the insurrection of the ungodly Holofernes and Haman. And David says, "My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh fails for want of oil." You should therefore fast, and ask your petitions of God. We enjoin you to fast every fourth day of the week, and every day of the Preparation, and bestow the surplus of your fast on the needy. On every Sabbath except one, and on every Lord's Day, hold your solemn assemblies and rejoice. For he will be guilty of sin who fasts on the Lord's Day, since it is the day of the resurrection, or during the time of Pentecost, or, in general, who is sad on a festival day to the Lord. For on those days we ought to rejoice, and not to mourn.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
Therefore we urge you to fast on those days, just as we also fasted until the evening, when He was taken away from us. But on the other days before the day of the Preparation, let each one eat at the ninth hour, or in the evening, or as each one is able. But from the evening of the fifth day until cock-crowing, break your fast at daybreak on the first day of the week, which is the Lord's Day. From evening until cock-crowing, stay awake and gather together in the church. Watch and pray, and entreat God. As you stay up all night, read the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms until cock-crowing. Baptize your catechumens, read the Gospel with fear and trembling, and speak to the people the things that lead to their salvation. End your sorrow, and ask God that Israel may be converted, and that He may allow them a place of repentance, and the remission of their impiety. For the judge, who was a stranger, washed his hands and said, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see to it." But Israel cried out, "His blood be on us, and on our children." Matthew 27:24-25. And when Pilate said, "Shall I crucify your King?" they cried out, "We have no king but Caesar: crucify Him, crucify Him
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
... fast on the second and fifth days of the week. But you should either fast all five days, or on the fourth day of the week and on the day of the Preparation. For on the fourth day the sentence against the Lord went out, when Judas promised to betray Him for money. And you must fast on the day of the Preparation, because on that day the Lord suffered death on the cross under Pontius Pilate. But keep the Sabbath and the Lord's Day as a festival, because the first is the memorial of creation, and the second is the memorial of the resurrection. But there is only one Sabbath to be observed by you in the whole year, and that is the Sabbath of our Lord's burial. On that day people ought to keep a fast, and not a festival. For since the Creator was then under the earth, sorrow for Him is stronger than joy for the creation. For the Creator is more honorable in nature and dignity than His own creatures.
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Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness
No one should blame us for observing the fourth day of the week and the Preparation, on which we are rightly instructed by tradition to fast. We fast on the fourth day because on that day the Jews made plans to betray the Lord. And we fast on the sixth day because on that day He himself suffered for us. But we celebrate the Lord's Day as a day of joy, because on it He rose again. On that day, we have also received the custom of not even bowing the knee.
What did early Christians think fasting should do?
Early Christian writers say fasting should go with prayer, self-control, and helping the poor. Hermas, Polycarp, Ignatius, Cyprian, and Clement of Alexandria all connect fasting with a changed life, not just skipping food.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
...all His dealings with me, I saw the Shepherd sitting beside me. He said, "Why have you come here so early in the morning?" I answered, "Because, sir, I have a station." He asked, "What is a station?" I replied, "I am fasting, sir." He continued, "What is this fasting that you are observing?" I answered, "As I have been accustomed, sir, so I fast." He says, "You do not know how to fast to the Lord. This useless fasting that you observe to Him is of no value." I answered, "Why, sir, do you say this?" He continued, "I say to you that the fasting which you think you observe is not a fasting. But I will teach you what is a full and acceptable fasting to the Lord. Listen. God does not desire such an empty fasting. For by fasting to God in this way, you will do nothing for a righteous life. But offer to God a fasting of the following kind: Do no evil in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart. Keep His commandments, walking in His precepts, and let no evil desire arise in your heart. And believe in God. If you do these things, and fear Him, and abstain from every evil thing, you will live to God. And if you do these things, you will keep a great fast, one acceptable before God.
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching
... to do good. And I will be with all those," he added, "who have such a desire." He continued, "This fasting is very good, provided that the commandments of the Lord are kept. Then this is how you must keep the fast you intend to keep. First of all, be on guard against every evil word and every evil desire, and purify your heart from all the vanities of this world. If you guard against these things, your fasting will be complete. And you must also do the following. After you have done what is written, on the day when you fast you must eat nothing except bread and water. Then calculate the cost of the food for that day which you intended to eat, and give that amount to a widow, or an orphan, or to some person in need. In this way you will show humility, so that the one who has received help from your humility may refresh his own soul and pray to the Lord for you. If you keep the fast as I have commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable to God, and this fast will be recorded. And the service performed in this way is noble and holy and acceptable to the Lord. Therefore, you must keep these things in this way with your children and all your household. And by keeping them you wi
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Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians Supporting witness
... word which has been handed down to us from the beginning; watching unto prayer, and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God not to lead us into temptation, as the Lord has said: 'The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.'"
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Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness
...with the saints. Support the weak so that "you may fulfill the law of Christ." Dedicate yourself to fasting and prayer, but not excessively, lest you harm yourself. Do not completely avoid wine and meat, for these are not to be despised, as the Scripture says, "You shall eat the good things of the earth." And again, "You shall eat meat as herbs." And again, "Wine makes the heart of man glad, and oil exhilarates, and bread strengthens him." But all these should be used in moderation, as they are gifts from God. "For who will eat or who will drink without Him? For if anything is beautiful, it is His; and if anything is good, it is His." Pay attention to reading, so that you may not only know the laws yourself but also explain them to others, as a dedicated servant of God. "No one involved in military service entangles himself with the affairs of this life, so he may please the one who chose him to be a soldier; and if a person competes for success, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully." I, who am in confinement, pray that my soul may be in place of yours.
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
...He Himself tells us how we ought to ask: "Turn to me with all your heart, and at the same time with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning; and tear your hearts, and not your garments." Joel 2:12 Let us return to the Lord with our whole heart. Let us calm His wrath and indignation with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning, as He Himself warns us.
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Victorinus, On the Creation of the World Supporting witness
... even though we are allowed freedom in foods, there is no permission for luxury, and continence and fasting are not taken away. For these things are very fitting for the faithful: that they should pray to God and give Him thanks, not only by day, but also by night.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
He also understands the hidden meaning of fasting on those days — I mean the Fourth Day and the Preparation. One gets its name from Hermes, and the other from Aphrodite. In his life, he fasts from greed and from love of pleasure, because all vices grow from these. For we have already often shown above the three kinds of fornication, according to the apostle — love of pleasure, love of money, and idolatry. So then, according to the Law, he fasts by keeping away from bad actions; and according to the perfection of the Gospel, from evil thoughts. Temptations come upon him, not for his purification, but, as we have said, for the good of his neighbors, if, after being tested by hardships and pains, he has despised them and passed by them.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Now fastings signify abstinence from all evils whatsoever, both in action and in word, and in thought itself.
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Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Supporting witness
He then speaks to them again about these matters, “Why do you fast to Me like this day, says the Lord, so that your voice is heard with a cry? I have not chosen this fast, says the Lord, for a man to humble his soul. Nor, even if you bow your neck like a ring and dress in sackcloth and ashes, will you call it an acceptable fast.” To us He says, “Behold, this is the fast that I have chosen, says the Lord, not for a man to humble his soul, but to break every chain of iniquity, untie the fastenings of harsh agreements, free those who are bruised, tear apart every unjust deal, share your bread with the hungry, clothe the naked when you see them, bring the homeless into your house, not look down on the humble if you see them, and not turn away from your own family. Then your dawn shall break forth, and your healing shall quickly spring up, and righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you; and then you shall call, and God shall hear you; while you are still speaking, He shall say, Here I am with you; if you remove from yourself the chain binding others, and the spreading of hands to swear falsely, and words of murmuring, and willingly give your bread to the
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
Hold fast, O virgins! Hold fast to what you have begun to be. Hold fast to what you will be. A great reward is waiting for you, a great repayment for virtue, the immense benefit of chastity. Do you want to know what harm the virtue of self-control avoids, and what good it has? God says to the woman, "I will greatly multiply your sorrows and your groanings; and in sorrow you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you." Genesis 3:16 You are free from this sentence. You do not fear the sorrows and groanings of women. You do not fear childbearing, nor is your husband lord over you. But your Lord and Head is Christ, after the likeness and in the place of the man. With men, your lot and condition are equal. It is the word of the Lord that says, "The children of this world marry and are given in marriage; but those who are counted worthy of that world, and of the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage. Neither can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels of God, being children of the resurrection." Luke 20:35-36 What we shall be, you have already begun to be. You already possess in this world the
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
... generations. The three young men, Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, equal in age, united in love, steadfast in faith, constant in virtue, and stronger than the flames and punishments pressing on them, proclaim that they obey God alone, that they know Him alone, and that they worship Him alone, saying: “O King Nebuchodonosor, there is no need for us to answer you in this matter. For the God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of burning fire, and He will deliver us from your hands, O king. And if not, let it be known to you that we do not serve your gods, and we do not adore the golden image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 And Daniel, devoted to God and filled with the Holy Spirit, cries out and says: “I worship nothing but the Lord my God, who founded heaven and earth.” Tobias also, although under royal and tyrannical slavery, yet free in feeling and spirit, keeps his confession to God and nobly declares both the divine power and majesty, saying: “In the land of my captivity I confess to Him, and I show His power in a sinful nation.” Tobit 13:6 What, indeed, do we find in the Maccabees? Seven brothers, alike both in their place of birth and in their virtues,
Common Questions
Did early Christians fast on Wednesday and Friday?
Yes. The Didache, the Apostolic Constitutions, and Peter of Alexandria all point to fasting on the fourth day and the Preparation day.
Why did they fast on those days?
They linked Wednesday and Friday to the Lord’s betrayal and suffering, and they set aside Sunday as a day of joy for the resurrection.
Was fasting practice exactly the same everywhere?
No. Irenaeus says Christians differed in how long and how often they fasted, even though they kept peace with one another.
Source Index for Wednesday and Friday fasting
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 159 ranked source links from 203 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 159 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 124
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 79 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.