Is it possible to eat fish on Christmas fast and on what days

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 17:37

In Orthodoxy, on the eve of the holiday of Merry Christmas, believers fast. Abstinence is not considered the strictest, but many do not know if it is okay to eat fish on Christmas fast and on what days.

When does the Nativity Fast begin?

The Nativity Fast begins on November 28 and ends on the night of January 7.

In the Orthodox tradition, it is considered not the most strict fast, so keeping it for 40 days is quite simple, if you adhere to a special scheme of a phased restriction.

Is it ok to eat fish

From this diagram, it is understood whether it is possible to eat fish on Christmas fast and on what days it can be done:

1. From November 28 to December 19, on Mondays, you can eat boiled food, steamed or baked without vegetable oil. You can also eat lean baked goods without eggs, margarine and vegetable oil. On Wednesdays and Fridays, eat only dry food that has not been cooked. On other days of the week, you can eat fish, mushrooms and vegetable oil.
2. From 20 to 1 January on Wednesdays and Fridays, only raw food is allowed. On Mondays, they eat lean cereals and soups cooked without oil, hot lean pies, porridge with vegetables and mushrooms. Fish during this period is allowed to be eaten only on Sunday, washed down with a small amount of red wine.
3. From January 2 to January 6, dry food begins to be eaten on Monday. Vegetable broths and soups with a little vegetable oil are served on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. This is the strictest period of the Nativity Fast, during which fish and red wine should be avoided.

Christmas Eve is celebrated on Christmas Eve, which is served with warm, plant-based snacks, a special dish - ochivo, made from boiled cereals, nuts, dried fruits and honey. They start eating when the first star rises in the evening sky.

The difference between the Nativity Fast and other Orthodox fasts

From the meal plan during the 40-day fast before the celebration of Christmas, it can be seen that the most severe requirements fall on its last period, which consists of 5 days.

Only from 2 to 6 January you cannot eat fish and drink red wine, and on other days you can do this.

Therefore, the Nativity Fast is considered the most suitable for people who decide to fast according to all the rules of Orthodoxy for the first time. After keeping such a fast, it will be easier to endure 40 days of abstinence before the Bright holiday of Easter.

Now you know if you can eat fish during the Nativity Fast.