Additionally, fasting traditions may vary slightly from region to region. In the United States the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate Church, Russian Orthodox Church, and Greek Hellenic Orthodox Church celebrate . Orthodox calendar with extensive lives of saints for each day. The Greek Orthodox Church levels of fasting can be roughly grouped as follows: Uncooked raw vegan foods (raw vegetables, fruit, nuts), possibly with some bread or similar. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, with its headquarters located in the City of New York, is an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, The mission of the Archdiocese is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian faith, to energize, cultivate, and guide the life of the Church in the United States of America according to the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition. Resources for teaching our budding rocks of faith. That looks like the one the Antiochian Archdiocese publishes. Each year is divided into 12 months of 30 days. CALENDAR | Archdiocese - Antiochian Orthodox Great and Holy Saturday is a. Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Diocese of the U.S.A and Canada If your address has changed and you have not communicated it to our office yet, please contact Mr. Migyanko. This fast is followed on specific fasting periods and on some feast days. 13 Feb 2023 Third Quarter. To order, send a check payable to the Orthodox Church in America to PO Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791. This difference can often mean that Orthodox Easter falls later than Easter observed elsewhere. After St. For example, a user is not permitted to include our material in any way in their own slideshows, worksheets or videos (local or in the cloud), even if they mention us as the source. The Orthodox Observer places the Church in the context of the current world we live in through a diverse and informative experience offering participants meaningful exchange with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, her ministries, and affiliates. Saturdays and Sundays in the Second through Sixth Weeks: Wine and oil are permitted; otherwise the strict fasting rule is kept. Nothing is eaten from Monday morning until Wednesday evening, the longest time without food in the Church year. Orthodox Church calendar St Leo came up to him, bound him with one end of his pallium and led him out to the market place. At this meal, wine and oil are permitted. Consciously diminishing the pleasure one derives from food helps control gluttony, which in turn helps control the other passions (=repeated bad habits), the ones not related to food. Official Documents | Terms of Use | Copyright Sources. In different traditions, this heightening of the fast may be for either the last week or the last two weeks. refraining from certain kinds of food for a certain period of time, is a necessary tool in the believers effort to limit sin as far as possible and with the grace of God. Geoff Harvey12 Sep 2022 - 9:00am. Abune Qierlos (Cyril) elected as our Church's 5th Patriarch, The First Sunday of the Great Lent (Zewerede), 4th Week of Lent (Metsagu) The Paralytic Man part 1, 4th Week of Lent (Metsagu) The Paralytic Man part 2, 5th Sunday of Lent Mount Of Olives (Debre Zeit) Part 1, 5th Sunday of Lent Mount of Olives (Debre Zeit) Part 2- Gods Mercy and Just, The 6th Sunday, the Good & Faithful Servant (part 1), The 7th Sunday: Nicodemus: A Ruler of the Jews (St John 3: 1-13), Good Friday Arbi Siqlet: Passion of Christ, The Feast of Ark of the Covenant | Hidar Tsion. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs. Coptic Calendar 2022 from www.uitvreter.nl. According to Orthodox tradition, we fast every Wednesday and Friday of the year; every Wednesday because we remember the betrayal of Judas and the arrest of our Lord, and every Friday because we remember the Holy Crucifixion. But why should the believer follow the Churchs rules when fasting? Church calendar with all holidays, celebrations and fasts of the year. Proceeds of the program book will be evenly split between the FOCA and the OCA with the OCA portion supplementing the youth activities at the AAC. The commemoration of the beheading of John the Baptist is observed with the Divine Liturgy of Saint their resolve and to be with them in their missionary undertakings. 30. subsequently been forgotten in the West. The fast is sometimes broken on Saturday night after Resurrection Matins, or, at the latest, after the Divine Liturgy on Pascha. Scedule of Fasting in Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Los Angeles, (Note: This also holds true for all Saturdays and Sundays during the year, which means we never do a strict fast on a Saturday or Sunday. Lent or the Great Fast( ) May the Lord be praised; this is the fast that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and nights after his baptism. 30. The day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Holy Week: The Thursday evening meal is ideally the last meal taken until Pascha. The Twelve Fixed Feasts Fasting enables us spiritually to see that spiritual air in which Christ, the Sun who knows no setting, does not rise, but shines without ceasing. Never. Ascetic of Love, the biography of Mother Gavrilia, pub. Orthodox calendar 2022 Orthodox calendar (Russian Orthodox Church) with feasts and fasts for years from 1900 to 2099 (perpetual calendar). Church, Holy Week is not a part of the 40 days but is considered as a separate entity from the rest of Great Lent. Church Holidays and Fasts in 2022 (first date according to the Church (Julian) Calendar, second according to the civil calendar) April 11/24 HOLY PASCHA. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading 2022 Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints & Fasting Calendar. Sadok interpreted these words to his congregation as meaning: "Last year I suffered; this year you will." +All persons above the age of 7 observe the church fasts. Your support helps us further the vital ministry work. The celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you are finding our content useful, you feel it is worthy enough not to be used for free, and are able to, please consider supporting our project; we are sincerely grateful for your contribution. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. We should not eat between meals. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits) The first few days of a long fasting period are often the most difficult. Deviations from this plan should be agreed upon and blessed by ones spiritual father. they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, According to Orthodox tradition, we fast every Wednesday and Friday of the year; every Wednesday because we remember the betrayal of Judas and the arrest of our Lord, and every Friday because we remember the Holy Crucifixion. November 15 to December 17, all days except Wednesday and Friday: Fish-eating. Please do not copy or directly redistribute any of our web content without asking for our permission. Foods That Are Okay to Eat for Orthodox Lent - The Spruce Eats We abstain from all meat, meat products, dairy products, fish, olive oil, wine and eggs. From August 1 to August 14 (inclusive) Orthodox and Eastern Catholics fast from red meat, poultry, meat products, dairy products (eggs and milk products), fish, oil, and wine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. on all public buildings and uniforms, was officially elevated on this day by the bishops and priests. .. "#$% &' A. Apart from fasting periods, the Orthodox Church has also determined absolute non-fasting periods in which we dont fast, even on Wednesdays and Fridays. Calendar of Saints, Feasts, and Readings in the Orthodox Church March 2023 Grid View Saints View Readings Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 First Wednesday of Lent Isaiah 2:3-11 Genesis 1:24-2:3 Proverbs 2:1-22 2 First Thursday of Lent Isaiah 2:11-21 Genesis 2:4-19 Proverbs 3:1-18 3 First Friday of Lent Isaiah 3:1-14 On other days of the week, we abstain from meat, meat products and dairy products; but fish, wine and olive oil are permitted. But while they may know of the Dormition Fast, few follow it, and more than a few question why it is there, neither knowing its purpose. The Tradition of the Church is that Mary died as all people die, not voluntarily as her Son, but by the necessity of her mortal human nature which is indivisibly bound up with the corruption of this world. The Cross, the official emblem of the Empire which was placed He first ordered them to worship fire and the sun as divine. Week before Lent ("Cheesefare Week"): Meat and other animal products are prohibited, but eggs and dairy products are permitted, even on Wednesday and Friday. Calcium-fortified orange juice is an easy way to guarantee plentiful calcium intake while avoiding dairy products. Sadok was bishop in Persia after St Simeon. Olive oil and wine are permitted on Saturday and Sunday. Eating Vegan In Eastern Orthodox Countries During Lent where once were the vapors of drunkenness it causes fountains of compunction to spring forth. The Church's traditional teaching on fasting is not widely known or followed in our day. The Orthodox Christian Faith proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Apostles, and the tradition and life of the living Church worldwide through worship, communion, witness, and service. What is Orthodox Christianity? people will not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that is round in shape on this day. blessed the four directions of the universe with the Cross, while the faithful repeated the chanting of Lord + Advent and Qusquam (40 days preceding, 'the Fast of the flight to Egypt'). Liturgics - Fasting & Fast-Free Seasons of the Church A subreddit dedicated to discussion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Why cant we gain the same spiritual benefits by following our own fasting regimen, deciding for ourselves when and how we would like to fast? Nativity Fast.During the early part of the fast, the rule is identical to that of the Apostles Fast. Weekdays in the Second through Sixth Weeks: Saturdays and Sundays in the Second through Sixth Weeks: Week following the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee. It then continues with Palm Sunday (the entry of Christ into Jerusalem), Great and Holy Monday which remembers Joseph of the Old Testament who was sold into slavery, Holy Tuesday (the Parable of the ten virgins), Holy Wednesday, (the anointing of Jesus with myrrh by the woman in the house of Simon the Leper), Great and Holy Thursday (the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper), Great and Holy Friday (the Passion of Christ) and the last day before Pascha, Great and Holy Saturday. The Nativity Fast occurs at the same time as the secular American holiday season. But its it is a lot different in its meaning from secular holiday celebrations and traditions. For those who cannot keep this discipline, a total fast beginning at noon is sometimes prescribed. Beginning of Great Lent - 27.02.2023, Pascha - 16.04.2023, Pentecost - 04.06.2023. This is not a comprehensive list of fasting dates, but rather a general reminder of the most important fasting guidelines. Passages of Holy Scripture , saints and events for commemoration are associated with each date, as are many times special rules for fasting or feasting that correspond to the day of the week or time of year in relationship to the major feast days . The coptic calendar is based on the ancient Egyptian calendar and is used by the Coptic Orthodox Church for its liturgical readings and determination and commemoration of dates for fasts and feasts. + Total of 250 fasting days a year are for Monks/Nuns, Priests & other special groups in the church. The earliest date it can fall is 4 April and the latest is 8 May. He once entered a church during divine service and began his tricks. Abune SeyfeMichael | Gedam Tsa'ida Imba Qidist Silasie, 3 Characteristics of A Successful Marriage, Hymns for Angels & Saints (Nay Melaktn Qidusan Tsadqanat). If he does not, then he is not a Christian, whatever he may consider himself to be. From a sermon of Metropolitan Philaret, quoted in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, pub. On Saturday of the first week, the usual rule for Lenten Saturdays begins (see below). But do not assume beforehand that the rule is too difficult for you. During the Nativity Fast, we see vestments and cloths that are purple, a color that is a symbol of repentance. Vegan diet with no oil or alcohol. Week before Lent (Cheesefare Week): Meat and other animal products are prohibited, but eggs and dairy products are permitted, even on Wednesday and Friday. Fasting and Feasting the Greek Orthodox Way - Greece Is Premium Powerups . There is a perception that we should fast when we want something, as though the act of fasting somehow appeases God, and seeing us "suffer" gets Him to grant our request. Fasting Calendar | The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church The Archdiocese responds to the spiritual needs of the Greek Orthodox Christian Faithful through National Ministries, providing programs and services to your local parishes, Metropolises, and you. The word "nativity" means "birth." In western countries, this day became known as Christmas (Christ's Mass) because it is a day when religious services (which some churches call a "Mass" and we call the "Liturgy") are held to celebrate the birth of Christ, the Son of God, our . Weekdays in the Second through Sixth Weeks: The strict fasting rule is kept every day: avoidance of meat, meat products, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil. Series Talanto. He also feared the people, who loved the holy Forerunner. The Churchs traditional teaching on fasting. There is a great number of feasts in the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church. Cross at the end of the Vigil service of the holy day following the Great Doxology of Matins. 168-169. Though the rules may appear quite strict to those who have not seen them before, they were developed with all of the faithful, not only monks, in mind. . Ethiopian Easter 2023, 2024 and 2025 in Ethiopia Site Map | Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Laymen are not usually encouraged to limit meals in this way: consult your priest. The quotes in this years Desk Calendar are from Metropolitan Leontys Seven Gifts, a sermon the late Metropolitan gave in 1953 at the elevation of Father Alexander Schmemann to the rank of Archpriest. The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. For those Orthodox Christians who are seeking to we do have a small request. When you become our patron, and depending on your pledge tier, we will send you a little gift as a token of our appreciation. + The longest periods of fasting are those of Lent. Works offline. Basil's Liturgy on Holy Saturday, a little wine and fruit may be taken for sustenance. he length of the Fast is variable, being determined by the date of Pascha (Easter). On these days, we follow a strict fast, unless these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, in which case we follow a fast including oil and alcohol. violent or sexually explicit images and shows), what s/hesays (e.g. PDF 2022 Fasting Calendar - Microsoft Phone: (212) 570-3500Contact, Download VCFJoin our Mailing ListsDonate. But without fasting no one was ever able to achieve any of these virtues or any others, for fasting is the beginning and foundation of every spiritual activity. By Monastic Charter: Food without Oil 1 St. Leo the Great, pope of Rome (461). Week before Lent ("Cheesefare Week"): Meat and other animal products are prohibited, but eggs and dairy products are permitted, even on Wednesday and Friday. They will take much time, labor, and pain, in accordance with each mans attitude and willingness, according to the measure of faith and ones contempt for the objects of sight and thought. The celebration of when Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist. Saturdays and Sundays in the Second through Sixth Weeks: Wine and oil are permitted; otherwise the strict fasting rule is kept. (Few laymen keep these rules in their fullness). Putin said he did not tell Xi Jinping about plans to launch a special operation, Putin commented on the attitude of Russia and China to the nuclear issue of the DPRK. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH Wednesday, March 1, 2023 / February 16, 2023 (Church Calendar) 2023 First Week of the Great Lent. 3) Theotokos Fast: Aug. 1 - 14 We abstain from all meat, meat products, dairy products, fish, olive oil, wine and eggs. Great Lent then continues for the next five Sundays: Triumph of Orthodoxy, Holy Relics and St. Gregory Palamas, Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Abba Daniel of Sketis: In proportion as the body grows fat, so does the soul wither away., source http://www.abbamoses.com/fasting.html. Share this entry. We can eat all of the foods in the previous plan (vegan foods, non-backbone fish, oil and alcohol), plus backbone fish. Saints days and other Feast Days were established by the church herself. *On the Feasts of the Annunciation and Palm Sunday fish, wine and oil are permitted. will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Fasting gradually disperses and drives away spiritual darkness and the veil of sin that lies on the soul, just as the sun dispels the mist. He suffered in 342 or 344. Working on Orthodox Pebbles has been an amazing blessing for us. 2022 Fasting Calendar - St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Sioux City, IA Easter traditions On Annunciation and Palm Sunday, fish is also permitted. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of America was born in 1967 in Bakirky, Istanbul. 1) The Nativity Fast (Advent): Nov. 15 Dec. 24. A return to more diligent fasting could play a large part in the spiritual renewal of our Orthodox churches. Shellfish may be eaten. Please point them to our website instead, so they can download it from here. First Week of Lent: Only two full meals are eaten during the first five days, on Wednesday and Friday after the Presanctified Liturgy. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, In the immediate sense, Christ was referring Other FastsThe Eve of Theophany, the Exaltation of the Cross and the Beheading of John the Baptist are fast days, with wine and oil allowed. lying, blaming, condemning fellow human beings), and what s/hehears (e.g. March 2023 - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Meat Fare Week this is a normal week except that oil and wine are not permitted on Wednesday or Friday. . The original meaning of the word holiday actually was Holy Day, a sacred day to glorify God and His Saints. Apostles FastThe rule for this variable-length fast is more lenient than for Great Lent.Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Strict fast.Tuesday, Thursday: Oil and wine permitted.Saturday, Sunday: Fish, oil and wine permitted.This is the rule kept by many monasteries during non-fasting seasons. [CDATA[*/var out = '',el = document.getElementsByTagName('span'),l = ['>','a','/','<',' 103',' 114',' 111',' 46',' 97',' 99',' 111',' 64',' 107',' 111',' 111',' 98',' 114',' 97',' 101',' 121','>','\"',' 103',' 114',' 111',' 46',' 97',' 99',' 111',' 64',' 107',' 111',' 111',' 98',' 114',' 97',' 101',' 121',':','o','t','l','i','a','m','\"','=','f','e','r','h','a ','<'],i = l.length,j = el.length;while (--i >= 0)out += unescape(l[i].replace(/^\s\s*/, '&#'));while (--j >= 0)if (el[j].getAttribute('data-eeEncEmail_wwWMztdTuU'))el[j].innerHTML = out;/*]]>*/. Eight weeks after Pascha comes the Sunday of For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? Your support helps us further the vital ministry work. Instagram | Orthodox Calendar The Dormition Fast is a stricter fast than either the Nativity Fast (Advent) or the Apostles' Fast, with only wine and oil (but no fish) allowed on weekends. Plans continue for the 20th All-American Council which will be held in Baltimore, MD on July 18-22, 2022. During the year, and in addition to Wednesdays and Fridays, there are a few daily fasts, which dont fall inside the longer fasting periods. Finally, we kindly ask that you do not directly share the material you download from our website with others. Orthodox Easter Day around the world in 2023 | Office Holidays All rights reserved. Officially, we should followastrict fast all weekdays and fast including oil and alcoholon Saturdays and Sundays: Saturdays because we commemorate God resting after the Creation and Christ resting in the tomb; Sundays because we commemorate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast The Fast of Great and Holy Friday is the strictest fast day of the year: even those who have not kept a strict Lenten fast are strongly urged not to eat on this day. On the fast days mentioned above Orthodox Christians abstain from all meat, meat products, dairy products, fish, olive oil and alcoholic beverages. Moon phases for February , 2023 (Serbia) 05 Feb 2023 Full Moon. Sdn Tim Grace25 Dec 2022 - 9:00pm. In the New Testament, we see Jesus Christ fasting for 40 days in the desert immediately after His baptism (Luke 4:2 & Matt. Russian Church official: let's not dramatize the Pan-Orthodox Council situation, Today, dialogue is the only civilized solution to all problems and perplexities, excluding the escalation of evil and, On Thursday, 23 January 2014, over 600 people filled a room at Eleon Loft in Athens to hear, If there is any virtue that seems completely foreign to our culture, My dear brothers and sisters, to preach is a joyous but also, The cross of Christ, the Lords triumphant and life-giving death whereby He. Dormition FastFasting during the two-week Dormition fast is like that during most of Great Lent:Monday-Friday: Strict fast.Saturday and Sunday: Wine and oil permitted. The celebration of the coming down of the Holy Spirit upon the Holy Apostles in the form of Fire. Herod became apprehensive, for he feared the wrath of God for the + Feasts of the Angels + Feasts of the Righteous (Saints) The Holy Archdiocese does not exercise any administrative oversight or assignment authority over clergy that are not part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Peter and Paul Fast): During these two fast periods Wednesdays and Fridays are strict fast days as usual. For those Orthodox Christians who are seeking to keep a more disciplined fast, the following information may be helpful. ), and fish and seafood with backbones. This is . The experience provides the faithful significant content to listen to, watch, and read; in order to lead, grow, and inspire. First Week of Lent: Only two full meals are eaten during the first five days, on Wednesday and Friday after the Presanctified Liturgy. The letters of Father Lazarus were a great help He used to say: Go anywhere you like, do whatever you like, as long as you observe Fasting Because not a single arrow of the Evil One can reach you when you fast. Why do Orthodox Christians bow to Saints? Holy Week: The Thursday evening meal is ideally the last meal taken until Pascha. Throughout the year, the Orthodox fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, remembering the betrayal of Judas and the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Names of months are as follows: (1) Meskerem (September-October) (2) Teqemt (October- November) fasting periods ordained in the Fetha Negest. No meat, dairy, eggs, backbone fish, like above. Payment also may be made by credit card over the phone by contacting Executive Administrator Barry Migyanko directly at 516-922-0550, x133, or by sending an email to . The information contained on the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is for informational purposes only. The Hieromartyr Antipas, Bishop of Pergamum in Asia, The Holy Martyrs Processus and Martinian, Venerable Pharmuthius, anchorite of Egypt (4th c.), Venerable James, abbot of Zhelezny Bor (1442), Venerables Euthymius (1456) and Chariton (1509), abbots of Syanzhema . For daily fasting instructions, you can consult the GOArch Online Chapel. Symeon the New Theologian: the Discourses, Go anywhere you like, do whatever you like, as long as you observe Fasting, Raising Orthodox Children to Orthodox Adulthood, The Daily Website on How to be an Orthodox Christian Today, Should People Limit Marital Relations in Lent? At the Grocery Store. + Monks/Nuns observe additional fast days not required of the lay people. Communion FastSo that the Body and Blood of our Lord may be the first thing to pass our lips on the day of communion, we abstain from all food and drink from the time that we retire (or midnight, whichever comes first) the night before. Fasting, aided by vigil, penetrates and softens hardness of heart. Orthodox Easter 2022 - Calendar Date Fasting Seasons Nativity (St. Philip's Fast) - Nov. 15 through Dec. 24 Meatfast - Monday after the Sunday of Last Judgment through Cheesefare Sunday Great Lent & Holy Week - 1st Monday of Great Lent through Great and Holy Saturday Apostles' (Peter & Paul) Fast - June 11 through June 28 Dormition (Theotokos) Fast - Aug. 1 through Aug. 14 At Patreon.com/orthodoxpebbles, you can pledge to offer us a small contribution every time we create new content. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. Commemorating not only the crucifixion and resurrection, Easter is considered to mark the passing of winter to spring. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. During the final weeks of the Nativity fast, Dec. 13 24, the fast is stricter and no fish is permitted. These dates are indicated on the Web Calendar of our websites homepage. Great Lent (Or the Great Forty Days): Great Lent actually begins on Clean Monday, 48 days before the feast of Pascha. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. St Seraphim of Sarov on Fasting: Once there came to him a mother who was concerned about how she might arrange the best possible marriage for her young daughter. Additionally, we love seeing photos on social media of our activities being used. This printable was uploaded at January 03, 2023 by tamble in 2024 Calendar. At this meal, wine and oil are permitted. Please note: The copyright of our work belongs solely to Orthodox Pebbles. But because of the guests and his careless oath, he gave orders to cut off the head of Saint John and to give Mother Gavrilia of blessed memory spent much time traveling in the service of Christ to places that separated her from the daily liturgical life of the Church. In many Christian churches, several weeks prior to Christmas are known as Advent, from a Latin word that means coming. In the Orthodox Church, this season of preparation for the Nativity of Christ always begins on November 15, the day after the Feast of the Apostle Philip. + The longest periods of fasting are those of Lent. The Fasting Seasons | Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese If we look around in the church during this time, we do not yet see the Christmas colors of red, green, white, silver, and gold. If the believer wants to regain Paradise, s/he must fix their broken state, the one introduced by Adam and Eve, by demonstrating obedience to all of Gods commandments; so s/he should also respect and abide by the commandment of fasting. Read the ingredient lists on processed and packaged foods. Butter, milk solids, whey, meat broth and lard are common additives. Nothing can be further from the truth. The Nativity Fast is meant to get us ready, not for a present-opening party, but for a celebration of the birth of Christ.