Nativity Fast: when it starts and what not to do

On November 28, the Nativity Fast began. It is considered the last multi-day fast of the year and will continue until Christmas (January 7). What restrictions are observed on the eve of the Nativity of Christ – in the material of Kommersant.

When did they start fasting for Christmas?

The Nativity Fast began to be observed en masse around the 4th century. Records of him are found in the writings of Ambrose of Milan, Philastrius and Aurelius Augustine. In those days, Christians abstained from excesses for seven days before Christmas.

At the Council of Constantinople in 1166, the fast was extended to forty days in memory of Moses, who refused water and bread for forty days and nights until he received the tablets. Since then, the Nativity Fast has been called Pentecost – the same as Great Lent. In the Orthodox tradition, the prayer before fasting falls on the day of remembrance of the Apostle Philip. Because of this, the fast itself is popularly called Filippov or even “Filipki.”

How to eat healthy

Most often, believers give up alcohol, poultry and eggs, meat and dairy foods. Church food rules calendars written specifically for clergy and novices. Ordinary parishioners can receive relaxations depending on age, health status and the presence of complicating factors. Often the requirements are relaxed for the elderly and disabled, children and nursing mothers, schoolchildren and students, and believers who engage in heavy physical labor or are on the move.

The lists of foods that are allowed or prohibited to eat during fasting depend on the day of the week. The strictest restrictions apply to Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays food with vegetable oil is allowed, on weekends and holidays – also wine and fish. New Year is not considered a church holiday. On the contrary, in the run-up to Christmas there are fewer concessions. The hardest day is considered to be Christmas Eve (January 6), when many believers fast until the first star.

What is necessary besides food restrictions

Throughout Lent, believers are encouraged to pray, confess and receive communion. Without prayer and repentance, fasting is considered just a diet. Increasingly, priests recommend refraining from excessive information: watching entertaining television, reading the media and visiting social networks.

Theologian and Archbishop of Caesarea of ​​Cappadocia Basil the Great wrote that “a true faster abstains from anger, rage, malice and revenge. A true faster refrains his tongue from idle talk, foul language, idle talk, slander, condemnation, flattery, lies and all slander. In a word, a true faster is one who shuns all evil.”