Christmas Lent begins on November 28 and continues until the first star appears in the sky on January 6. These days you can not show aggression, swear and scandal. Public joy is also considered a sin. And of course, at this time it is forbidden to eat certain foods. The Nativity Fast is not as strict as the Great one, but Orthodox Christians have to impose quite serious restrictions on themselves.
Why is Advent fast needed?
What foods should not be eaten in fasting? What you can eat at this time, and what you can’t, we’ll talk about this a little lower. To begin with, let's figure out why the Advent is actually held and where this tradition came from.
Restriction in food intake during a certain period of time is regarded by the church as one of the ways of spiritual purification. Many believers today fast for this very reason. However, some consider posts just a good way.get rid of extra pounds and improve your he alth. How exactly to relate to fasting at this time, therefore, is a personal matter for everyone.
Because the Advent fast lasts exactly 40 days, it is called in another way Lent. The tradition of purification through the prohibition of the use of certain products at this time goes back to at least the 4th century. There are references to the Nativity Fast in the writings of St. Ambrose of Madiolan, Leo the Great and Blessed Augustine.
The Advent, as its name already suggests, is held to cleanse itself before the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago.
What food is completely banned
So, what foods should not be bought in the post, what can you eat and what can not? From November 28 to January 6, it is strictly forbidden to eat primarily products of animal origin. This means that a Christian will have to give up not only meat, but also milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and all those foods that contain these ingredients.
What you can eat in fasting by day, and what you can’t
Until the second of January you can eat fish. But only after the church service, in the evening, on weekends, on Tuesday or Thursday. In addition to animal products, Orthodox Christians are forbidden to eat vegetable oil and almost all sweets at this time. In the latter case, the exceptions are nuts, honey and fruits. Vegetable oil, like fish, is allowed to be eaten in small quantities. Saturday, Sunday, Thursday and Tuesday only. Believers receive some indulgences on church holidays that fall at this time. On such days you can eat fish.
Christmas Eve
January 6 is the day on which Advent ends. What you can eat by day, we found out. On January 6, you can not eat anything but soaked grains of wheat, honey and fruits. It is advisable not to eat anything at all until the first star rises.
Traditionally, by this time, every Orthodox family should have a table set for 12 people. However, it is still impossible to put fast food on it. Treats should be lean. Also put a bunch of hay on the table. This attribute symbolizes the birth of Christ in the manger.
Who doesn't have to fast
Some people are given significant relief by the church at this time. Pregnant women and sick people can not fast from November 28 to September 6. For baptized children, as for adults, food restrictions are mandatory. However, the church advises accustoming their fragile organism to fasting gradually. And of course, the child should definitely be explained why at this particular time he should not eat sweets or meat.
What can be eaten
So, animal products are what you should never eat in fasting. What can you eat at the same time so that the body does not lack vitamins and other useful substances?The list of foods allowed to be eaten during fasting, despite the large number of prohibitions, is quite wide. You can eat all plant foods. It can be fresh or canned vegetables, pasta, any cereals, fruits, mushrooms. It is allowed to eat and flour products. If you wish, you can cook dumplings with potatoes or cabbage for yourself and your family, and fry pies on the days allowed for the use of vegetable oil. Of course, all dishes can be eaten with bread. An exception to the Christmas post are rich flour products. Butter buns are forbidden to eat.
Meat is something that absolutely cannot be eaten in fasting. What can you eat at the same time so that the body does not experience stress due to a sharp reduction in protein in the diet? Many believers replace meat products with soy products during fasting. The church allows it. You can also eat peas, beans and lentils. Of course, it is allowed to eat various kinds of greens: parsley, dill, onion, etc.
Church holidays in Advent
The following is a list of the days on which, according to tradition, you can eat fish:
- November 29 (St. Matthew's Day);
- December 4 (Entrance to the temple of the Virgin);
- December 6 (St. Alexander Nevsky Day);
- December 13 (St. Andrew's Day);
- December 19 (St. Nicholas Day).
Fish, by the way, can be eaten during Advent on Mondays, Fridays and Wednesdays. But only intime of all-night vigils.
What can you eat in Lent before Christmas to avoid he alth problems?
Doctors have noticed that during fasts, including Christmas, people are much more likely to exacerbate chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The point here, of course, is not the harm of starvation itself. Exacerbations occur due to a sharp transition of the body to another diet. In general, in order to avoid problems with the stomach and intestines, it is even advisable to give up meat gradually. To reduce its amount in the diet should begin some time before fasting. During the fasting period, people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract should eat, as already mentioned, more allowed foods containing protein.
Is it possible to break the fast on the New Year
So, what you can eat in the Christmas post, and what you can’t, we found out. Mostly meat products are prohibited. Meanwhile, it is at this time that the main secular holiday of the year falls with its pickles and unbridled fun. Sincerely Orthodox believers, the church recommends not to eat any prohibited foods on this day. At the same time, one should not condemn one's relatives for exuberant, often public expressions of joy and the consumption of a huge amount of meat dishes. To keep peace in a family where there are both believers and non-believers, both fast and fast dishes should be put on the New Year's table.
Recipe
Next, let'slet's see what you can eat in the post specifically. In particular, we will figure out how to cook a delicious potato salad with mushrooms. For this dish you will need pickles in the amount of 150 g and 80 g of sauerkraut. The potatoes themselves need to be cooked 200 g, mushrooms - fresh, s alted or pickled - 100 g. All ingredients must be cut and mixed thoroughly. Greens are added as desired. In order for the salad not to be too dry, you can season it with lean sauce. The latter is prepared from vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar. Add some s alt and pepper to the dressing as well.
Well, now you know what you can eat on Christmas Lent and what you can't. Fast food is not worth eating. But as you can see, very tasty dishes can be prepared from approved products.
