Keeping the Nativity Fast

There are four major fasts in the Christian year—the Great Fast which precedes Holy Week and Pascha; the Nativity Fast which precedes Christmas; the Apostles’ Fast which runs between Pentecost (Troitsa) and the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul; and the Dormition Fast, which runs between August 1 and August 15.

The Nativity Fast begins on November 15 (40 days before the Feast of Christmas). It lasts as long as the Great Fast, but is generally moderated with many days on which fish, oil and wine are allowed. The fast intensifies and becomes stricter in the week just before Christmas.

This is all very contrary to our American culture, which has no sense of fasting (including any Christian sense). Orthodox Christians must therefore take their lead from the discipline of the Church and the dictates of the calendar. The culture that surrounds us will likely discourage us from doing what the Church teaches.

All great events in the Christian year, by ancient tradition and custom, are preceded by a period of fasting and preparation for the feast. All feasts include preparation. It is part of the Orthodox way of life.

The understanding behind this is that a time of celebration requires preparation. Our hearts and thoughts need to be prepared to receive the great mystery contained in the feasts of the Church. The typical movement from secular to sacred, without fasting and preparation is spiritually harmful. The truth is that there is no “secular” time. All time belongs to God, and is permeated with God. Thus the time before a great feast is permeated with God, even if it is expressed in fasting. If fasting precedes a feast, then the feast is likely to be godly. If not, the feast becomes just one more celebration of American excess—where we celebrate nothing more than our own wealth and our ability to overindulge and consume. Consumption is not a proper means of keeping the feasts of Christ.

Look this week at the Orthodox Calendar and begin to make plans for your family's participation in the Nativity Fast. Feel free to speak to Fr. Stephen if you have questions about how the fast can be kept in your home.