Ask anything about the Orthodox faith
Answers from Holy Scripture, the Holy Fathers and the life of the Church.
Why do we fast on Wednesdays and Fridays?
The Church keeps Wednesday and Friday as fast days for most of the year. On Wednesday we remember that Judas agreed to betray Christ; on Friday, His Crucifixion.
“Let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and the fifth day of the week; but do ye fast on the fourth day and the Preparation.”
— The Didache, 8:1
The Fathers always join fasting to prayer and almsgiving. It is a way of turning toward God, not a diet.
If you are new to fasting, ask your priest how to begin. He can fit the rule to your health and circumstances.
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Prayer
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Scripture and the Fathers
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Orthodoxly is not a priest.
It can explain, quote and teach. For confession, a blessing or guidance over the years, it will send you to your parish.
Questions about Orthodoxly
What is Orthodoxly?
An AI companion for learning about the Eastern Orthodox faith. Ask about Scripture, prayer, the services, the feasts and fasts, Church history or the teaching of the Holy Fathers, and get a clear answer you can come back to.
Where do the answers come from?
Orthodoxly is built on Claude by Anthropic and guided to answer from Holy Scripture, the Creed, the seven Ecumenical Councils, the Holy Fathers and the liturgical texts of the Church. It keeps dogma, pious tradition and local custom distinct, gives exact references, and says when it isn’t sure rather than inventing a source.
Does it follow the Old or the New Calendar?
Both. It knows today’s date on each calendar, along with the season, feasts and fasts, and tells you when parishes on the two calendars differ.
Which jurisdiction does it follow?
It speaks for no single jurisdiction. Where practice differs between Greek, Slavic, Antiochian and other traditions, it says so and encourages you to follow the custom of your own parish.
Who can see my conversations?
Only you. Conversations are saved to your account so you can return to them, and you can delete them at any time. Messages are sent to Anthropic to generate answers. We don’t sell your data or use it for advertising.
Can it replace my priest?
No. Orthodoxly can explain and teach, but it can’t hear confession, give a blessing or offer the spiritual direction that grows over years. For those, it will point you to your priest.