Several times a year, Orthodox Christians restrict themselves in food and carnal desires. These periods of time are called posts. They provide for the rejection not only of food, but also complete spiritual cleansing, reunion with God and humility. One of the main posts is Filippov, which precedes the bright holiday of Christmas.
Filippov's charm
This is the eve of forty days of abstinence, spiritual and physical. Before the Filippovsky fast comes, on November 27, one could still enjoy something tasty and modest. In order to withstand the long weeks of all kinds of restrictions and not violate the strict rules, our ancestors came up with a custom: to fill up to satiety. Just like at the butter, the people today, on the eve of the Nativity Fast, arrange festivities, go to visit and have a meal with their families.
In many regions of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, guys and girls organize so-called evening parties on the Filippovskaya charm. Oftenhire musicians to have fun from the heart. There is also a tradition - to treat each other with different delicacies. It can be pancakes, nuts, gingerbread, as well as alcoholic drinks - wine or vodka.
After that, on November 28, comes the Filippov fast, during which you must follow strict rules: do not eat animal products, do not drink alcohol, do not maintain intimate relationships in marriage. It is forbidden even to sing and dance, all this time people should devote to prayers and communication with God.
Basic rules
The Christmas or Philippian Orthodox fast lasts exactly forty days: from November 28 to January 6. He is not as strict and hungry as Easter, but you still have to give up meat and milk. Already in advance you need to think about how to replace these products, since the body will be sorely lacking in protein. To avoid its deficiency, doctors recommend eating soy products, beans and peas. Priests say: in order to resist the temptation to eat something forbidden, make your daily menu as diverse as possible. Cook dumplings with potatoes, cabbage rolls with mushrooms, vinaigrette, donuts and other goodies.
Philippovsky fast must be observed by all believers. An exception exists only for old and sick people, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, small children, travelers and those who are engaged in hard physical labor. They can eat dairy products and even some meat. First of all, such people are recommended to purify themselves.spiritually, since this component of fasting is more important than simply abstaining from fasting.
Three parts of the post
The period of abstinence can be conditionally divided into three time periods. The first lasts from the beginning of Lent until the day of St. Nicholas on December 19. These days, on Mondays, you should eat only plant foods without adding oil. It is allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Also on these four days of the week, a small amount of fish and red wine are allowed. Wednesday and Friday should be completely dry eating.
Christmas Lent (Philippovsky Lent) is gradually tightening. In its second period, from December 19 to January 1, in terms of nutrition, everything remains almost the same, only fish and wine can be eaten exclusively on weekends. Even more time should be set aside for church attendance and fellowship with spiritual guides. It is recommended to go through the rites of the sacrament and confession on the eve of the New Year.
Filippo's fast, which lasts 40 days, reaches its strictest peak in the last week before Christmas. Dry eating has been spreading for three days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, vegetable food without oil is supposed. It is recommended to eat only once a day without such excesses as fish and wine. On Christmas Eve, January 6, you need to fast all day until the first star appears in the sky.
Exit post
In order not to get an upset stomach, you need to competently stop abstinence. Filippov's post endsthe night before Christmas. This is a great holiday for all Orthodox, when the table is bursting with delicacies and delicacies. Limiting himself for a long time, a person often breaks down and ends up in the hospital. Therefore, on Christmas Eve, when indigent dishes are served for dinner, try a little of each of them. Wash it all down with a glass of wine that aids digestion.
At Christmas itself, when meat and fat dishes, sweet pies and cream cakes are on the table, it is also important to be careful. It is better to eat in small portions, but often. Priests advise special prayers that will help you end abstinence without harming your he alth.
Christmas (Philippovsky) post provides not only food restrictions. As John Chrysostom said: "True abstinence is also the curbing of one's tongue, the taming of lust, deliverance from evil, anger and bad thoughts, the cessation of lies and slander." Therefore, try to follow these rules, and not only during fasting, but throughout your life.
