Church calendar for the Advent fast. Christmas fast and nutrition

The Nativity Fast always begins on November 28 and ends on the night of Christmas, January 6. It lasts just like Lent, forty days.

The Nativity Fast is called to sanctify the last part of the year and prepare Orthodox Christians to meet the Savior.

The Nativity Fast is not very strict and is similar in its rules to the Peter the Great Fast. Of course, meat is not eaten during this fast. butter, milk, eggs and cheese. However, fish is allowed on Saturday and Sunday (until January 1), as well as on the day of Entry into the Temple Holy Mother of God December 4 (unless it falls on Wednesday or Friday). In addition, fish is eaten on Tuesdays and Thursdays (until December 19), as well as if later on these days the memory of revered saints falls. On Wednesdays and Fridays, fish is allowed only if it falls on them. patronal feast the temple to whose parish the fasting person refers himself.

On ordinary days, food on Tuesdays and Thursdays should be cooked in vegetable (vegetable) oil. No vegetable oil on Monday. On Wednesday and Friday, the so-called “dry eating” is food that does not require special preparation. For children (especially babies), pregnant and lactating women, old and sick people, as well as those engaged in heavy physical labor, especially on the street, the rules of fasting are weakened. It is better if these issues are discussed with a priest familiar with the situation.

From January 2 to January 6, fasting is intensified; eating fish is not blessed even on Saturday and Sunday. January 6 – Christmas Eve. On this day, if possible, they try not to eat food at all, but with the onset of darkness (the rising of the first star) break their fast with juice.

The period of Nativity Lent marks the Twelfth Feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 4) and the so-called “Winter St. Nicholas”, very revered in Russia - the Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (December 19).

“Let us fast with a fast that is pleasant, pleasing to the Lord.” This verse reminds us that fasting should not be pleasant to us, but accepted by the Lord. Only bodily fasting, without spiritual humility, can do more harm to the soul than good. Why is this happening? A person fasting, especially a beginner in this difficult task, may become overly proud and, to some extent, imbued with a sense of his own superiority. Often, this is precisely what shows the need to reduce visits to entertainment with abundant food. After all, the person fasting at this time concentrates everyone’s attention on himself, causing unnecessary conversations, which sometimes give rise to self-exaltation.

The Nativity Fast completes a series of strict fasts this year. By following certain rules, you will spend time usefully for the soul and enlist the support of Higher powers.

The Nativity (or Filippov) fast occurs at the end of December and lasts forty days until the Nativity of Christ. During this period, Orthodox Christians purify themselves not only in their bodies, keeping them strict, but also in their souls. Since ancient times, believers have prepared in this way to meet the great day of the Savior’s birth.

Strict fasting involves giving up many familiar dishes, and not everyone manages to follow its rules. Sick people, children, old people and pregnant women can afford the relaxation, since abstaining from necessary products can negatively affect their health. For those who have the opportunity and desire to fast, prayers before meals will help: they will set you up for spiritual cleansing and give you strength to adhere to a strict menu.

Nutrition calendar

During the fasting period, the consumption of meat, butter, eggs, cheese and dairy products is not allowed. The church allows those who, for health reasons, cannot avoid any of these products, to deviate from the rules.

Fish fasting days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Also on these days you are allowed to drink a little wine. From December 20 to 25, fasting becomes stricter and fish products are excluded from the menu.

November 28-29, December 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 17-18, 24-25, 31 And 1st of January It is allowed to eat fish products.

November 30, December 12, 14,16, 21, 23, 30 And January 3, 5 You should limit yourself to hot food without oil.

Having decided to observe fasting from beginning to end, remember that the goal is also to strengthen yourself on the righteous path. Fasting keeps the body in strictness and enlightens the thoughts. This period is especially important for cultivating spirituality, atonement for sins and awareness of oneself as a Divine creation.

Do not forget to pray to the Higher Powers so that they help you in difficult times. By observing fasting, you will take the path of enlightenment and allow your soul to develop. To sow what is reasonable, good and eternal is the main task of every person. Be happy and don't forget to press the buttons and

25.11.2016 06:05

During Lent, the regime and diet change significantly. This time is reserved for prayer...

During the Nativity Fast, a person’s physical and spiritual preparation for the great holiday of the Nativity of Christ occurs. ...

On Monday, November 28, the Orthodox Christians began a multi-day Nativity fast. It begins on November 28 and lasts 40 days - until January 7, and therefore is called Church Charter Pentecostal. Since the beginning of the fast falls on the day of remembrance of St. Apostle Philip (November 14, old style), then this post is also called Philipp.

How to eat during the Nativity Fast 2016-2017

The Church Charter teaches what one should abstain from during fasting: “All those who fast piously must strictly observe the regulations on the quality of food, that is, abstain during fasting from certain foods, not as bad (let that not be so), but as indecent to fasting and prohibited by the Church. The foodstuffs that one must abstain from during fasting are: meat, cheese, cow’s butter, milk, eggs, and sometimes fish, depending on the difference in the holy fasts.”

The Nativity Fast is as strict as Petrov. At the same time, during the Nativity Fast on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, fish, wine and oil are prohibited - food without oil is allowed only after Vespers. On other days food is allowed vegetable oil. Fish is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays, great holidays, temple holidays and the days of great saints, if these days fall on Tuesday or Thursday. If holidays fall on Wednesday or Friday, then you can only drink wine and oil.

From January 3 to January 7, fasting becomes stricter; on these days, even on Saturday and Sunday, you cannot eat fish.

Nutrition calendar by day for the Nativity Fast 2016-2017:

November 28, Monday, beginning of the Fast - Monastic Rule: hot food without oil.
November 29, Tuesday - Fish allowed.
November 30, Wednesday - Monastic regulations: hot food without oil.
December 1, Thursday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 2, Friday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 3, Saturday - Fish allowed.
December 4, Sunday, Entry into the Temple Holy Lady Our Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary - Fish is allowed.
December 5, Monday - Monastic Rule: hot food without oil.
December 6, Tuesday – Fish allowed.
December 7, Wednesday - Monastic Rule: hot food without oil.
December 8, Thursday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 9, Friday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 10, Saturday - Fish allowed.
December 11, Sunday - Fish allowed.
December 12, Monday - Monastic regulations: hot food without oil.
December 13, Tuesday, St. Andrew the First-Called - Fish allowed.
December 14, Wednesday - Monastic charter: hot food without oil.
December 15, Thursday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 16, Friday - Monastic Rules: hot food without oil.
December 17, Saturday - Fish allowed.
December 18, Sunday - Fish allowed.
December 19, Monday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 20, Tuesday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 21, Wednesday - Monastic Rule: hot food without oil.
December 22, Thursday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 23, Friday - Monastic charter: hot food without oil.
December 24, Saturday - Fish allowed.
December 25, Sunday - Fish allowed.
December 26, Monday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 27, Tuesday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 28, Wednesday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 29, Thursday - Food with vegetable oil.
December 30, Friday - Monastic charter: hot food without oil.
December 31, Saturday - Fish allowed.

Post and New Year . It is on these days that the civil New Year is celebrated and Orthodox Christians need to be especially concentrated so that by having fun, drinking wine and eating food they do not violate the strictness of fasting.

January 1, Sunday - Fish allowed.
January 2, Monday - Monastic charter: dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
January 3, Tuesday - Monastic regulations: hot food without oil.
January 4, Wednesday - Monastic charter: dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).
January 5, Thursday - Monastic Rule: hot food without oil.
January 6, Friday, Christmas Eve - Monastic charter: dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits).

What can you eat on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve is called the last day of the Nativity Fast. This word comes from the name of the dish - sochivo, which is prepared from grains of wheat, lentils or rice. It is customary to eat sochi in the evening of January 6 after completely abstaining from food throughout the day.

Servants of the Church note that fasting is not a goal, but a means - a means to humble one’s flesh and cleanse oneself of sins. Without prayer and repentance, fasting becomes just a diet.

Christmas post - important period in the lives of all believers and one of four multi-day annual fasts. It lasts almost like the Great, for 40 days, and today people are already wondering: the Nativity Fast 2016 - 2017, the menu, the nutrition calendar, what can the laity eat. what is impossible, and try to adjust themselves in advance to the appropriate mode of life.

The Nativity Fast 2016-2017 begins at the very end of autumn, on November 28, and ends on January 6, preparing believers for the joyful event - celebrated annually on January 7. The Nativity fast, unlike the Easter and Assumption fasts, is not strict; there are some relaxations that allow you to enrich your diet in the winter.

Deviations from fasting are allowed in case of illness, physical hard work, as well as for children and the elderly. For the rest, the church recommends that they adhere to the traditions that have come to us since ancient times and, with the help of fasting and prayer, cleanse themselves of sins. Prayers, abstinence from temptations, not judging others, reconciliation with them, repentance - this is the essence of fasting. Without them, we turn fasting into a regular diet.

You should not judge your family who do not want to fast, this is everyone’s personal choice, and cannot be a reason for mutual accusations or reproaches, respect each other!

What is forbidden to eat during the Nativity Fast 2017?

This is food of animal origin and their waste products: meat, dairy products, eggs. You should limit your consumption of alcohol and sweets. Children do not need to deny themselves food, especially dairy, which is so necessary for the development and formation of bones. It would be more advisable to suggest that they give up sweets and cakes during Lent. It should be noted that honey can be eaten, so consuming it in moderation will have a beneficial effect on mental activity and general condition body.

What can you eat during Lent?

The Nativity fast is divided into three stages:

— the first stage lasts from the beginning of Lent until the feast of St. Nicholas, which is celebrated on December 19;
- the end of the second stage coincides with the beginning of 2017 - this is January 1;
- the third stage is the last week fasting from January 2 to January 6;

Lent Wednesday and Friday

At each stage there are certain restrictions or relaxations. It should be noted that throughout Lent, Wednesday and Friday are considered the strictest days in terms of nutrition. These days, only uncooked plant foods without oil, juices, water, bread, and sprouted grains are allowed. The diet can be varied with nuts, dried fruits, or fresh vegetables and fruits, which will help cope with hunger. Eating food that has undergone heat treatment is not allowed.

You can eat soaked, dried or fermented foods; seaweed will enrich the body with useful microelements. Wine is not allowed on these days, and strong drinks alcoholic drinks and are completely excluded from use throughout Lent. This way of eating is called dry eating.

First stage:

Monday – food boiled in water without vegetable oil is allowed. You can prepare dumplings with potatoes, all kinds of cereals, legumes, beans or mashed potatoes. The diet can be varied with various soups with dried mushrooms and herbs. To make the soup rich, you can add crushed boiled potatoes to it.

Baked vegetables are also incredibly tasty. You can bake any vegetable products you like: potatoes and pumpkin, carrots and beets. Sugar beets with nuts and poppy seeds are a filling that can be used for yeast dough buns.

Tuesday, Thursday, and every other day Friday - Saturday, Sunday: food with vegetable oil, fish dishes (recipes with photos). To all of the above, dishes using olive, sunflower or other types of oil are added, as well as fish soup and baked fish. Herring or other types of seafood will also complement dinner table. You can indulge in some wine at lunch.

Second phase:

Monday – first stage diet.
Tuesday Thursday – Lenten dishes with the addition of vegetable oil.

A huge list of delicious dishes are allowed at this time. These are fried potatoes, fried mushrooms with onions, rice with vegetable salad, vinaigrette, eggplant caviar and much more. Nowadays, grocery stores sell any kind of vegetables and fruits, so it’s not difficult to prepare vegetable or tomato soup, peppers stuffed with rice and herbs, or use your imagination and come up with your own recipe.
Weekend - the same diet as in the first stage.

Third stage:

Monday – dry eating.
Tuesday Thursday- boiled food in water.

January 6 is popularly called Christmas Eve, on this day they cook kutya and eat it in the evening; before that they do not eat food at all. Kutya is seasoned with nuts, honey or poppy seeds at the discretion of the hostess.

Preferring certain products, priests advise not to give the issue of nutrition primary importance. Cooking food should take a small amount of time, so that the rest of it can be devoted to prayer and visiting temple, doing good, giving alms, and so on.

During the Nativity Fast according to the church monastery charter You should abstain from animal products (meat, eggs, milk). Before St. Nicholas Memorial Day (December 19) you can eat on Monday hot food without oil, on Wednesday and Friday - strict fast(dry eating - vegetables, fruits, bread). On Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - fish, mushrooms, cereals with vegetable oil, etc.

Hot food without oil.

Fish is allowed.

Xerophagy.

Fish is allowed.

Xerophagy.

Fish is allowed.

Hot food without oil.

Fish is allowed.

Xerophagy.

Fish is allowed.

Xerophagy.

Fish is allowed.

Food with vegetable oil.

Xerophagy.

Food with vegetable oil.

Xerophagy.

Fish is allowed.

Hot food without oil.

Food with vegetable oil.

Xerophagy.

Food with vegetable oil.

Xerophagy.

Fish is allowed.

January 2, Monday, Right. John of Kronstadt, wonderworker

Xerophagy.

Hot food without oil.

Xerophagy.

Hot food without oil.