Guidelines for Fasting
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Fasting is a holy tradition passed down to the Orthodox Church from the Old Testament times, and is one of the means by which we partake of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In guarding ourselves against gluttony and impure thoughts, words and deeds, we gain God's grace and power to resist spiritual temptations and the passions of the flesh. By abstinence we are able to set ourselves free from dependence on the things of this world and the desire for possessions in order to concentrate on our salvation. Only by bringing ourselves to true humility and repentance, accompanied by fasting, tears, prayer, and confession, can we ever hope to achieve the Kingdom of God and eternal life with Christ our Savior. Together with fasting and prayer, we should also strive whenever it is possible (particularly during the fasting periods) to give alms, to relieve the sick, the poor and the oppressed, and to do other good deeds from a pure and sincere heart.
There are four canonical fast periods of the year, each having their own set of rules. During all of these fasting periods the Holy Orthodox teaches that we must abstain from eating meat, dairy products and eggs. The allowances of fish, wine and oil are governed according to the rank of the service or the day of the week; some local variations pertaining to these allowances are applied, according to the traditions of the parish.
These four fasting seasons are: 1.) Great Lent: Fish is allowed only on the feasts of Annunciation & Palm Sunday.
2.) Apostles' Fast (the day after the Sunday of All Saints until SS. Peter and Paul - June 29 - July 12): Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are strict fast days, on which fish is not allowed.
3.) Dormition Fast (1/14 Aug. - 14/27 Aug.): Fish is permitted only on the feast of the Transfiguration.
4.) Nativity Fast (15/28 Nov. - 24 Dec./6 Jan.): Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are strict fast days, on which fish is not allowed. After the feast of St. Nicholas (6/19 Dec.), fish is allowed only on weekends, but from 20 Dec./2 Jan. until the feast of the Nativity fish is not permitted.
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The following are fasts of one day only: 1.) Every Wednesday & Friday of the year, except during the fast-free weeks; Monday is also kept by Orthodox monks and nuns.
2.) The day before the feast of the Theophany (5/18 Jan.)
3.) Beheading of St. John the Baptist (29 Aug./11 Sept.)
4.)Elevation of the Precious Cross (8/21 Sept.)
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The following are fast-free weeks: 1.) the holy days from 25 Dec./7 Jan. until 4/17 Jan.
2.) week of the Publican and the Pharisee
3.) week of Cheese-Fare (no meats, but fish, dairy products, and eggs are allowed)
4.) Bright Week of Pascha
5.) Pentecost week
Guidelines for Preparation for Holy Communion
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The holy Orthodox Church sets certain guidelines for members to prepare themselves for the joyous partaking of the divine Body and the precious Blood of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. These are: 1.) Attendance at Church services the night before the Liturgy.
2.) Observance of the fasting regulations of the Church during the week before Communion, and since the last confession made.
3.) Fasting from all food and beverage (including water) from midnight on the day in which Communion is being received.
4.)Reading of the appointed Psalms, the Canon and the Pre-Communion prayers; after Holy Communion, the Post-Communion prayers are to be read as well.
5.) Before approaching the divine Mysteries of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, one must be at peace with all others.
6.) A recent confession should have been made before Communion. Members of the faith should make confessions as often as possible, and must confess immediately before Communion if they have neglected the Church's guidelines for fasting, Church attendance, or the like. Likewise, confession should always immediately precede Communion if a person has committed any transgression against God or neighbor that would defile his presence at the partaking of Holy Communion. Note: Certain sins require the clergy to forbid the partaking of the Eucharist until the confessing person ceases such sins. Among such sins are fornication and adultery. Furthermore, penance given by the spiritual father must be completed before the confessing person may partake of the Holy Mysteries.
Serge, a poster at this site has some information about this on his site I believe.