The liturgical year of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is punctuated by numerous fasting periods, meticulously outlined in a traditional system. This system designates specific days and seasons for abstinence from certain foods, primarily meat, dairy, and eggs. A typical annual cycle includes the long Lenten fast (Tsome Nebiyat), the fast of the Apostles (Tsome Hawariyat), the fast of the Assumption (Tsome Filseta), the fast of Nineveh, the fast preceding Christmas (Tsome Gahad), and numerous Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year. These fasting periods vary in length and stringency.
These periods of dietary restriction hold profound spiritual significance within the Ethiopian Orthodox faith. They are observed to commemorate specific biblical events, cultivate spiritual discipline, foster humility, and draw believers closer to God through prayer and reflection. The historical context of this fasting tradition reflects the Church’s ancient roots and its adherence to early Christian practices. The collective observance of these fasts also strengthens communal bonds within the Ethiopian Orthodox community.