Orthodox Christians who follow the old church calendar enter today the Nativity Fast, also known as the Christmas Advent. This lasts for 40 days and will end on January 7th, on the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. During this period, believers abstain from meat, dairy, and other animal products, and on Saturdays and Sundays until December 31st, fish is allowed.
Requested by IPN, Archimandrite Mihail Fagurel, the parish priest of the “Birth of the Virgin Mary” Church in the village of Samascani, Soldanesti district, emphasized that the Advent of the Lord’s Birth is a period of reconciliation between man and God, in which the soul must be prepared for the great feast of Christmas.
According to the priest, the Fast of the Nativity of the Savior is less stringent than the Great Fast or the Dormition Fast of the Mother of God, because it takes place during the cold season, when the body needs more energy. During this time, believers are allowed to eat fish on Saturdays and Sundays until December 31 or until the commemoration of Saint Hierarch Spiridon, after which only fasting food is consumed.
Father Mihail emphasizes that all fasts have the same spiritual significance, being a time dedicated to forgiveness, reconciliation with one’s neighbor, confession of sins, and the desire not to repeat them. “Fasting means refraining not only from food, but also from everything we like more, in order to learn self-control. When the body weakens a little, the Spirit strengthens”, mentioned the archimandrite.
For the parishioners who follow the new calendar, the fast began two weeks ago and will end on December 25th.
