Nativity Fast is a long time of abstinence for an Orthodox Christian during the winter. So, the Nativity Fast begins on November 28, and ends with the Feast of the Nativity of Christ on January 7 in a new style.
Despite the fact that the Nativity Fast is quite long, it is not very difficult in terms of food choices. The fact is that Filippov Fast (this is how the Nativity Fast is called) is not strict. Believers are often allowed to eat fish and also eat food with vegetable oil.
The most strict days in the Nativity Fast are Wednesdays and Fridays. At this time, according to the charter of the Church, only food without vegetable oil is allowed. However, in some parishes, priests give a blessing for the use of vegetable oil on these days. Also, a strict fast day during Filippov's fast is Christmas Eve (January 6). In folk practice, there is a custom not to eat food until the first star appears. However, this is only a pious tradition, unconfirmed by the charter of the Nativity Fast. On Christmas Eve, food is eaten without vegetable oil. Particularly zealous Christians on this day fast and completely dry food, that is, they do not eat boiled food.
Eating fish is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays of the Nativity Fast. Also, this type of food is allowed on the great twelveth feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Virgin (December 4) and the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (December 19). Also, fish can be allowed for the memory of other revered saints, for example, the righteous John of Kronstadt (January 2).
In addition, fish is acceptable on the New Year's table. This weakening of the post is due to the all-Russian civil holiday. On the rest of the days of the Nativity Fast (except Wednesday and Fridays), eating food with vegetable oil is allowed. It should be noted that with the blessing of the priest, fish can be used on other days of fasting except Wednesday and Friday.
It turns out that the list of foods that can be consumed during the Nativity Fast is very diverse. So, you can use fish and other seafood (shrimp, squid, octopus, mussels - this is allowed during the entire fast), fruits, vegetables, mushrooms.
You need to know that many grocery stores sell lean mayonnaise, which can be used to prepare a variety of lean salads. Various nuts and figs are in special demand for posts. These foods are some of the healthiest foods to eat during the fast.
It must be remembered that any food of plant origin and some seafood is allowed in any fast. In accordance with this, it is worth choosing a diet for the time of pious abstinence.
