What is the date of the Nativity Fast in 2020-2021

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Believers know the dates of major religious holidays and fasts. For example, what date it starts and ends in 2020-2021 is easy to remember. These dates do not move.

The essence of the post

Fasts are held before important dates in the church calendar. This is done so that people come to prayer with a clean body, an open soul. This can only be achieved through fasting.

During the Nativity Fast, one must visit the church, pray sincerely, thank God for his support and help, ask for the forgiveness of sins for oneself and loved ones. It will be easier for the soul to turn to God if the body is cleansed by fasting.

During all fasts, good deeds must be done, even if they were not asked for. It is imperative to give to those in need and those asking for mercy.

The Nativity Fast begins on November 28 and ends on January 6. For 40 days, bodily cleansing takes place, work on your soul. In the XII century, more precisely before 1166, the duration of this fast was only 7 days.

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Ancient traditions

Our ancestors spent the days of the Nativity fast in a different way. Their way of life, their way of life left an imprint on their behavior. But some norms have survived to our time. The lay people of the past centuries during the Nativity Fast did the following:

• observed abstinence in food;
• did not swear;
• did not slander;
• did not spread gossip;
• did not indulge in worldly pleasures;
• read spiritual literature;
• did not gamble;
• did not provoke quarrels, scandals, fights;
• tried to repay debts;
• made peace with loved ones;
• sought to correct their mistakes;
• accepted strangers, surrounded them with care.

According to Russian traditions, women at this time gathered to spin wool in someone's house. They were engaged in needlework, taught girls to sew, knit. The older girls were preparing a dowry for themselves.

Modern fasting rules

In our time, the rules of conduct have acquired new norms (as far as food restrictions are not concerned), due to changes in living conditions.

It is forbidden:

• watch TV, surf the Internet;
• attend entertainment events, noisy companies;
• sit back;
• drink alcoholic beverages, with the exception of wine on weekends and holidays;
• travel (not recommended), except for pilgrimage trips to visit holy places;
• swear, quarrel, provoke conflicts.

During fasting, one must not only limit oneself in food, but also think about the correctness of one's life, according to its commandments of God. It is known what date the Nativity Fast begins and ends in 2020-2021, so you can plan your affairs in advance.

Features of the Nativity Fast

Certain dietary restrictions must be observed. It is allowed to eat:

• porridge (add oil only on certain days);
• vegetables (raw and cooked);
• mushrooms;
• fruits;
• legumes;
• nuts;
• honey;
• dried fruits;
• lean bread.

Fish can be eaten on certain days. It is not recommended to cook food substitutes such as lean mayonnaise or potato chips. The main essence of any church restriction is the rejection of gluttony, and such substitutes distort this rule.

Certain categories of people receive relief from priests and may not adhere to such strict restrictions. These include:

• people with severe chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, pancreatic pathology);
• children under 12 years old;
• aged people;
• travelers;
• pregnant, lactating women;
• military;
• patients before and after surgery;
• persons performing heavy physical work.

These people can be cleansed by spiritual reading and prayers, engage in charity work, help sick people, disabled people.

During the Nativity Fast, there are restrictions on certain activities. You cannot get married, but it is allowed to baptize children on any day.

It is not recommended to go fishing or hunting. Sports activities are equated with recreational activities, therefore they are not encouraged. This also includes sports, competitions, watching sports programs.

Knowing about the Christmas fast 2020-2021, what date will start and end, you can prepare in advance for this event. For example, not planning a trip that is not recommended these days.

Traditions in the Orthodox Church are arranged in such a way that there are more fasting days than ordinary days. This helps the body not to overeat, to maintain normal weight. Subject to these rules, you would not need a means for losing weight.

Dietary restrictions are aimed at helping the body. They help to free oneself from earthly sins. Then it will be easier for the soul to make requests and words of thanksgiving to God. The Church explains that this is not a diet, but a rethinking of one's life with the help of many restrictions.

Summarize

1. The Nativity Fast in 2020-2021 will run from November 28 to January 6.
2. In the Russian Orthodox Church, the Nativity Fast lasts 40 days.
3. In the traditions of the Nativity Fast, not only the refusal of animal food, but also household restrictions.
4. Along with the conditions of life, the restrictions during fasting also change.