ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS ENTER 40 DAYS OF FASTING: ANCIENT DISCIPLINE PREPARES HEARTS FOR CHRIST'S NATIVITY
The Nativity Fast is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church in preparation for the Nativity of Jesus on December 25. The Byzantine fast is observed from November 15 to December 24, running for 40 days instead of the four or six weeks observed in Western Advent.
The Nativity Fast thematically focuses on proclamation and glorification of the Incarnation of God, whereas Western Advent focuses on three comings of Jesus Christ: his birth, reception of his grace by the faithful, and his Second Coming. The fast begins on the day following the feast day of Philip the Apostle, which is why it is sometimes referred to as Philip's Fast.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the fast traditionally entails fasting from red meat, poultry, meat products, eggs, dairy products, fish, oil, and wine. Fish, wine and oil are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays as well as most Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and oil and wine are generally allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The fasting rules also permit fish, wine and oil on certain feast days that occur during the course of the fast, including the Evangelist Matthew on November 16, Apostle Andrew on November 30, Great-martyr Barbara on December 4, St. Nicholas on December 6, and St. Spiridon on December 12.
Until the last two weeks before Christmas, fish, wine, and oil are on the menu for weekends and weekdays except Wednesdays and Fridays. With two weeks until Christmas, the fast intensifies, and fish is off the menu. At that point, wine and oil are still on the menu on the two weekends preceding Christmas.
Saint Simeon of Thessalonica described this autumn fast: "The fast of the Nativity depicts the fast of Moses, who, after fasting for forty days and nights, received the inscription of the words of God on stone tablets. We, fasting for forty days, contemplate and accept the living word from the Virgin, inscribed not on stone, but incarnate and born, and partake of His Divine Body and Blood."
As is always the case with Orthodox fasting rules, persons who are ill, the very young or elderly, and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting. The Nativity Fast is more lenient than Great Lent, one of the four annual fasting periods in the Orthodox Church.
Through the discipline of fasting, when practiced with prayer, repentance, and almsgiving, it is believed that by controlling bodily desire for food, other passions are controlled as well, and that the soul can orient more away from worldly needs and more towards spiritual needs.
On December 25, the Afterfeast of the Nativity of Christ begins. From that day to January 4 is a fast-free period. The Eve of the Theophany on January 5 is another strict fast day.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
While the Western world gorges itself through Black Friday sales and consumer madness, millions of Orthodox Christians just entered 40 days of disciplined fasting.
Let that sink in.
The contrast couldn't be sharper. The secular West celebrates Christmas by buying more stuff. Orthodox Christians prepare for Christmas by denying themselves.
This is Christianity that still has teeth. This is faith that demands something from you. This is the ancient path that actually transforms lives instead of accommodating them.
The Nativity Fast isn't about losing weight or virtue signaling on social media. It's about confronting your own weakness. Learning that you don't need everything you think you need. Training your body to submit to your will, and your will to submit to God.
When Moses climbed Mount Sinai, he fasted 40 days and received the Law written on stone. Orthodox Christians fast 40 days before Christmas and receive the living Word made flesh.
This is the Christianity that conquered empires. This is the faith that produced martyrs who sang hymns while being burned alive. This is what actual spiritual formation looks like, not feel-good Sunday sermons and Christian pop music.
The West has traded fasting for feasting, discipline for comfort, and preparation for consumption. No wonder our churches are empty and our faith is weak.
The Orthodox Church remembers what we forgot. Christmas isn't just a day on the calendar. It's the Incarnation of God Himself. And meeting God requires preparation.
TAKE ACTION
Learn About Orthodox Fasting: Visit www.goarch.org (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) to understand the spiritual foundations of Orthodox fasting disciplines and how they prepare Christians for major feasts.
Consider Adopting Elements of the Fast: Even if you're not Orthodox, consider incorporating modified fasting into your Advent preparation. Consult your priest or pastor about appropriate practices for your tradition.
Support Orthodox Communities: Orthodox Christians maintain ancient traditions often forgotten by Western Christianity. Learn from their faithfulness to historic Christian practice and support local Orthodox parishes in your area.
Pray for Unity Among Christians: Pray for greater understanding between Eastern and Western Christians, that all followers of Christ might learn from each other's strengths and maintain devotion to authentic Christian discipline.
DEUS VULT
