What does fasting on ash Wednesday mean?

Answer 1

This is usually for Catholics. Fasting means eating very little, and eating contents not containing meat or animal-made products such as eggs and milk (honey is allowed because this is how Jesus survived when he fasted for 40 days and nights). There is no point in stuffing yourself with these foods because the point of fasting is eating very little. The spiritual focus is to become a better person and become more like Jesus. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, I believe, are the only days that Catholics have to fast. For Orthodox people, I'm not sure if Ash Wednesday (although I think I do) is important, and if they have to fast (this is embarassing considering I am Orthodox, although I am more accustomed with the ways of Catholics because I attend a Catholic school). They would fast on Catholic Ash Wednesday anyway, because Orthodox people are supposed to fast on every Wednesday and Friday).