Paastud

Paastud is a term used in Estonian and other Finnic language contexts to denote fasting periods or days of abstinence, typically within a religious calendar. The word derives from paast, meaning fasting, with the plural suffix -ud. In religious settings, paastud refer to times of intensified prayer, penitence, and dietary abstinence leading up to major celebrations such as Easter.

In Estonia, paastu aega or paastusperiood is commonly associated with Lent. Practices during paastud can include limiting or avoiding certain foods, increased almsgiving, and attendance at religious services. Specific customs vary by community, denomination, and region, with some groups observing stricter dietary rules on particular days and others emphasizing voluntary fasting without formal requirements.

Historically, paastud grew out of early Christian practice and their integration into liturgical calendars. They have also influenced broader cultural traditions, including seasonal foods, recipes, and folk customs connected to springtime and renewal.

In contemporary usage, paastud can refer to both traditional religious fasts and secular health-inspired fasting practices. The term is primarily used in Estonian-language discourse; in English, translations often rely on context and may include “fasts” or, for the Lent context, “Lent.”

See also: Lent, fasting, abstinence, religious calendars, Estonian language.