Among the four multi-day fasts established by the Orthodox Church, the second longest is the Christmas one, which precedes the holiday dedicated to the greatest event of Sacred history - the earthly incarnation of the Son of God Jesus Christ. Let's dwell on its most characteristic features.
A custom that came from ancient times
From the time of early Christianity, which is commonly understood as the period that lasted from the formation of the holy apostolic Church to the First Council of Nicaea, held in 325, a tradition has been established to celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Christ with fasting. However, in those days, its duration was limited to seven days, and only since 1166, in accordance with the reform carried out by the Patriarch of Constantinople Luke Chrysoverg, throughout the Orthodox world (with the exception of the Armenian Apostolic Church), the Nativity fast became forty days. It has remained so to this day.
Filippov's post, or in the old way Korochun
In allIn Orthodox churches that adhere to the Byzantine tradition, fast days begin on November 28 and end on January 6 (all dates in the article are given in the new style), on the eve of the feast of the Nativity of Christ. The conspiracy - that is, the last day before fasting, on which fast food is still allowed, falls on November 27.
On this day, according to the Church calendar, the memory of the holy Apostle Philip, who was one of the twelve closest disciples of Jesus Christ, is celebrated, and therefore, in common parlance, the Nativity fast is often called Filippovki. Another name of it, which was used in ancient times, is also known - Korochun, which, according to the famous Russian historian and writer N. M. Karamzin is associated with the short winter days on which it falls.
Fasting is a tool in the fight against sin
The essence of the Nativity Fast was exhaustively expressed by an outstanding religious figure of the second half of the 4th and early 5th centuries. Saint John Chrysostom. He emphasized that it was a mistake to believe that everything should be reduced only to abstaining from eating fast food. According to him, deliverance from evil, anger, perjury, lies, slander, lust and vanity is of paramount importance during any fast (including Christmas). Only in this way can a person cleanse his soul and adequately prepare for the meeting of the holiday.
As for food restrictions during the Christmas Lent (as, indeed, any other), they are a kind of auxiliary tool that contributes totaming the flesh and focusing on the inner, spiritual side of one's existence.
However, they are also given great importance, and therefore they should be considered in detail. It should be noted that, according to the Church Charter, all types of meat and dairy products, as well as eggs, are excluded from the diet for forty days. In addition, a certain schedule for the use of allowed dishes has been introduced.
Truly assess your capabilities
The Christmas fast for the laity and clergy provides for several degrees of severity, but this does not mean that all believers without exception must strictly follow this installation. Each person must measure the ascetic feat entrusted to himself with his own capabilities, which are determined by his physical condition and previous training.
On how to properly determine the diet for themselves during the days of the Advent, all beginners should consult with the priest, and only with his blessing proceed to this difficult, but extremely necessary for spiritual development.
Eating rules during Lent
So, from the first day of fasting until its completion on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Church Charter prescribes dry eating, which is mandatory for monks, but under certain conditions observed by the laity. It consists in eating only those foods that have not previously been subjected to heat treatment, that is, not fried.and uncooked: bread, fresh, and dried or soaked vegetables and fruits.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the daily ration is replenished with hot food with the addition of vegetable oil. The most plentiful and varied dishes of the Nativity Fast are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. The only exception is the period from January 3 to 5, when the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ comes.
These days, in addition to the above dishes, it is allowed to eat fish and even wine (of course, in moderation). The same diet is offered on December 4, when the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos.
A special milestone of Advent is January 6th. According to the Charter, on this day it is supposed to eat hot food seasoned with vegetable oil, and after vespers to serve a special dish called "sochivo" and which is a sweet porridge made from wheat or rice grains with the addition of honey. Thanks to this tradition, the eve of the holiday is called Christmas Eve (from the word “sochivo”).
Characteristic features of Lenten services
The peculiarity of worship during fasting is determined by the fact that during its period there are days of memory of the Old Testament prophets: Daniel, Zephaniah, Nahum, Obadiah, Habakkuk and Haggai. Each of these events is marked by the performance of "Alleluia" and the corresponding troparia - short prayer chants that glorify a particular saint. There are other features of the services in Lent, provided for by the Church Charter.
Fasting without prayer and repentance– the path to spiritual death
The Fathers of the Church, who left a rich literary heritage for the edification of posterity, taught that bodily fasting is, in its own way, a double-edged weapon. Deprived of its spiritual basis, it is not only useless, but also capable of causing significant harm to a person. Thus, abstinence from food, achieved by suppressing the natural impulses in oneself, can fill a person with the consciousness of false superiority over others and plunge him into pride, which is one of the deadly sins.
The same can be said about the victories achieved on the path of struggle with a number of desires generated by carnal passions. Thus, without prayer accompanied by sincere repentance, fasting can turn into an ordinary diet, which also brings great spiritual harm.
As mentioned above, abstinence in food is not the purpose of fasting, but only an effective tool in the fight against sin. It should be specially emphasized that in this case we are talking about temporary abstinence, and not about the exhaustion of the flesh. Therefore, in order for fasting days to bring real benefits, entering them must be preceded by a certain preparation. A very significant role in this can be played by the refusal to eat fast food on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year. This can not only strengthen your will, but also prepare the body for multi-day fasts.
Mistakes born of conceit
However, according to priests, they often have to deal with the fact that people who do not have the proper experience and do notthose who have received a pastoral blessing for this, try to impose immeasurably strict degrees of fasting on themselves. As a rule, this leads to the most unfortunate consequences.
Not commensurating the load with real possibilities, they upset their own he alth or from hunger fall into constant irritability bordering on malice. As a result, fasting soon becomes unbearable for them, and they abandon it, not only without benefit, but also burdening their souls with new sins.
A personalized approach to food restrictions
To prevent this from happening, it is necessary, as in any other business, to follow from simple to complex. Getting used to fasting should occur gradually and be accompanied by sensitive control over one's physical and mental state. Any haste can undermine all previous efforts.
Each person must individually determine for himself how much food he really needs, and only then, gradually reducing it, reduce it to the desired level. Note that the Church Charter is very flexible in its approach to the issue of food restrictions imposed during fasting, and provides for a number of cases when they are completely canceled.
For example, the use of quick meals is allowed during travel and participation in hostilities, since in both cases circumstances require additional strength and endurance. Pregnant women are also exempt from fasting, as food restrictions can harm the unborn child.
From thisIt can be seen that the Fathers of the Church, who once applied labors to the compilation of her Rule and showed considerable wisdom in doing so, approached the requirements regarding fasting restrictions very reasonably. It remains to be hoped that an equally balanced approach will be shown by all those who, from the beginning of the Nativity Fast, will take on themselves the ascetic feat, striving for spiritual renewal and cleansing from sins.
