The fast before Christmas is the last of the long ones in the calendar year. In terms of severity, it is much inferior to the Great and Assumption, but still imposes certain restrictions on Orthodox Christians. In 2023-2024, the Advent Fast will begin on November 28 according to the new style, and will end on January 6, on Christmas Eve. Dates are fixed, never change.
History of establishment and meaning
The fast preceding the Nativity of the Savior has been known since ancient times, but the exact date of its establishment is not known for certain. The first mention refers to the IV century., information is in the works of St. Ambrose of Milan, Blessed Augustine and Leo the Great. Modern Orthodox Christians fast for 40 days. At the beginning of the establishment of the church tradition, in some communities they kept a fast on Christmas for a week, in others it could last longer. It also started out differently. The final point was made during the Council in 1116, which was headed by the Patriarch of Constantinople Luke.
For adherents of the Catholic branch of Christianity, fasting begins four weeks before the Nativity of Christ, which they celebrate on December 25 according to the Gregorian calendar. The liturgical circle of the Russian Orthodox Church is based on the Julian, so that in the West and believers celebrate the appearance of the Savior on different dates.
The second name of the post is Filippov, since the prayer for it falls on the day of memory of one of the closest disciples of Christ - the Apostle Philip.The multi-day Advent fast is tied to two specific events, there is no need to calculate what date it will begin in 2024. As in the previous ones, believers will fast from November 28 to January 6.
The Church Charter instructs the Orthodox to limit themselves in certain types of food and in the intensity of entertainment, but this should not become the main goal. It is important to try to make sure that nothing distracts you from preparing for the upcoming holiday. To be able to fully, as deeply as possible meet and live the Nativity of Christ, to know the mystical meaning of this divine event. Physical restrictions in fasting help to focus on the spiritual side of being - pray more, reflect on the feat of God, who took the form of a man for the salvation of all mankind, and strive for the most complete fulfillment of His commandments.
Features of food
The strictness of the Christmas Lent is similar to Petrov's. As a rule, a believing Christian refuses products that are of animal origin:
- meat (including poultry), including sausages, sausages, meatballs, ham, s alted and smoked bacon, meatballs, sausages, ham, boiled pork, etc.;
- eggs;
- dairy products - sour cream, yogurt, cheese curds, butter, cream, cottage cheese, kefir, cheese, condensed milk, fermented baked milk, buttermilk, curdled milk, ice cream, etc.
On some days of fasting, it is also not blessed to eat fish and vegetable oil. For an unprepared organism, a sharp transition to such a diet can cause stress. The priests say that this should be done gradually, refusing one product after another - give yourself time to get used to it.
Initially detailed fasting rules were developed for monasteries. Therefore, the laity, preferably with the blessing of the confessor, may not adhere to too strict restrictions on food.First of all, this applies to patients, children, pregnant and lactating women, as well as those who are engaged in hard physical labor.
For the entire 40-day period, you can eat cooked food without oil. An excellent option is soups, stews, cabbage soup, borscht on vegetable or mushroom broth. The menu may contain caviar and seafood. Fish is also allowed, for example, stewed or in sandwiches.
On Wednesday and Friday everything is much stricter. Those who practice dry eating should focus on the following options:
- vegetables - fresh, canned, s alted, pickled;
- bread;
- dried fruits;
- honey;
- fresh fruits;
- nuts.
Fish dishes can be cooked on Wednesday and Friday, if one of the main Christian holidays falls on them. On December 4, the Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated, so fasting becomes less strict.The rest of the time, dishes made from cereals, mushrooms, vegetables, and legumes are blessed. On the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (popularly St. Nicholas the Winter), December 19, no more than a glass of red wine is allowed. At the same time, the holiday should not turn into an unrestrained alcoholic feast.
On Christmas Eve, a multi-day fast will end in 2024. According to the established tradition, in the name of Christ, it is customary not to eat food until the first star appears in the January sky. A festive feast usually began with the use of sochi - wheat grains boiled with honey or rice with dried fruits. Only after the service did they start breaking the fast - the use of animal products.
Other rules
The period of abstinence established by the Church is not equal to a diet that is followed to improve he alth or get rid of extra pounds. Restrictions in food should be organically combined with an attentive attitude to one's behavior. You need to refrain from:for at least these 40 days
- drinking;
- indulging one's own laziness;
- visiting (off duty) noisy entertainment events;
- getting into conflicts, quarrels and angry showdowns.
The best pastime is attending church services, prayer, reading soul-saving literature, repentance and the desire to change your life for the better. Doing good deeds, charity, finding peace and the desire to save your soul, purify it for divine Eternity are welcome.
