Someone buys all kinds of delicacies for the New Year's table, and someone observes the Christmas fast. It began on November 28, the day of St. Philip, and will end before Christmas, January 6. Nativity Fast is an ancient tradition of all Orthodox believers. During this period, people remind themselves that they are sinful and that they need to get better.
Not everyone observes fasts, as the church says to do, but it is the fast before Christmas that is considered very important for the purification of the soul and body. A true Christian needs to avoid overeating, selfishness, and addictions. The more strictly a person observes the fast, the more pleasant it will be for him to celebrate the Nativity of Christ.
Nativity Fast, or Filippov Fast, lasts 40 days. Its essence is preparation for the celebration of Christmas. It is clear that part of the fast falls on the New Year holidays, but how then people who are accustomed to celebrate the New Year "in grand style"?
Filippov's fast is not as strict as the Easter fast, but still there are rules that every Orthodox Christian must follow. Most importantly, avoid eating foods such as eggs, milk, and meat. As for the fish, you can eat it.
If you look at the monastery charter, you can understand that lean food with vegetable oil is consumed according to Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, on other days they eat a similar food, only this time without oil. On Saturdays and Sundays, it is allowed to eat fish and even a small amount of wine is allowed.
The clergy insist that only monks should adhere to such prohibitions in fasting. For ordinary people who continue to work, live their old lives and raise children, such food can be very harmful.
The best option would be to find yourself a spiritual mentor who will adjust the diet based on your specific lifestyle. You will be advised on a correct, rational and moderate diet.
Nativity Fast is a time that needs to be spent as spiritually as possible. You can meditate on life, in addition, you need to pray a lot and strictly observe all the commandments. In no case should you condemn other people if for some reason they do not want to adhere to the fast.
There is no need to compare yourself with others, this applies both to your admiration with belittling others, and vice versa. Of course, the most ideal thing is to find strength in yourself and understand your own life, to achieve harmony and inner peace within 40 days. And then it is already possible to celebrate the Nativity of Christ with peace of mind.
Wedding and baptism in Philip Lent
According to the clergy, it is better to stay away from such sacraments as weddings and baptism during this fast. All of this can be done immediately after Christmas.
But it happens that circumstances develop in such a way that people still need to be married or baptized. In this case, it is necessary to have a conversation with the priest, and explain everything to him. He can give permission to perform the sacrament, and only he is responsible for this.
How can we celebrate the New Year “in the Orthodox way”?
The church is not prohibited from celebrating the New Year, birthdays and other events. But you must follow the rules of fasting. If you are fasting, then even one day of fun should be no exception. You can cook something tasty and festive without prohibited products! There are a lot of hearty and at the same time lean dishes. The most important thing is your desire to obey all church rules.
In addition, the fun should not be noisy and, of course, without large doses of alcohol. Wine is allowed, but only in moderation.
Tell us in the comments, do you respect the posts? What then will you cook for the New Year's table in Filippov post?
The original article is posted here: https://kabluk.me/poleznoe/rozhdestvenskij-post-pravila-sobljudeniya.html
