The Nativity Fast begins this year on Friday, November 15. This fast is an opportunity for us to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord in the flesh. Observing it fully and sincerely can bring great spiritual benefit.
Below are the general fasting guidelines as observed at All Saints parish, approved for publication by Fr. David Winn.
These guidelines are general. It is important to note that fasting is a spiritual discipline that should be undertaken with the guidance of one’s spiritual father. Please consult with him if you have any specific questions or concerns about how the fasting discipline applies to your unique situation.
Also, remember that almsgiving is a special part of this particular fast. Further, limiting one’s entertainments and increasing other aspects of one’s spiritual life–prayer, reading the Bible and Church Fathers, attending Divine Services–is a part of every fast.
THANKSGIVING DAY EXCEPTION
Our bishops have decreed that the faithful of the Antiochian Archdiocese in the USA may relax the fast entirely to observe Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE NATIVITY FAST 2024
The Nativity Fast consists of two distinct periods, during which fasting intensifies progressively:
Early Period: November 15 – December 11
- General Practice: Other than Wednesdays and Fridays, the days during this period are observed as Fish, Wine, and Oil days. This means that on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays we abstain from meat, poultry, and dairy, but may consume fish with backbones, alcoholic beverages, and olive oil.
- Wednesdays and Fridays are typically observed as Strict Fast days, during which we abstain from meat, dairy, poultry, fish with backbones, alcohol, and oil.
Latter Period: December 12 – 24
- Weekdays are generally observed as Strict Fast days.
- Saturdays and Sundays are Wine and Oil days, meaning that alcohol and oil are permitted, but we continue to abstain from meat, dairy, poultry, and fish.
- December 24 (Eve of the Feast): This day is always observed as a Strict Fast, regardless of the day of the week.
Foods Permitted on All Days include vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and shellfish.
EXCEPTIONS
The fasting discipline can vary from the general guidelines noted above according to the commemoration of the day.
For instance, the great feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, on November 21, is always kept as a Fish, Wine, and Oil day, no matter what day of the week it falls on.
In addition, when the following commemorations fall on a day of Strict Fasting, they are nevertheless kept as a Wine and Oil days:
- NOV 25 – Great-martyr Katherine of Alexandria
- NOV 30 – Apostle Andrew the First-called
- DEC 04 – Great-martyr Barbara of Heliopolis/St. John of Damascus
- DEC 05 – Savas the Sanctified
- DEC 06 – Nicholas the Wonder-worker, Bishop of Myra in Lycia
- DEC 12 – Spyridon the Wonderworker
- DEC 13 – Herman of Alaska
- DEC 20 – Hieromartyr Ignatius of Antioch, the God-seer
Please remember that abstaining from food during this period of preparation does us no good if we do not also, as St. John Chrysostom teaches us, fast with
… the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies.
Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?
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