Advent 2021: rules, what you can and cannot eat, nutrition calendar

Advent post nutrition calendar / photo ua.depositphotos.com

The annual Nativity Fast began in November 2021 and will end before Christmas. This fast lasts forty days and is one of the longest of the year, along with the Dormition and Great Lent. It is considered not very strict, since fish, seafood and foods with oil are allowed on most days.

The meaning of fasting is not only abstaining from certain foods, but also spiritual cleansing, self-discipline and drawing closer to God. During fasting, you should refrain from intimacy, quarrels and slander, forgive insults and pay off debts, turn your thoughts to God, and give up gambling.

Advent: what you can and cannot eat

The Nativity fast is considered not very strict, since on most days it is allowed to eat fish. From November 28 to December 19 inclusive, hot food without oil fish on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays . On Wednesdays and Fridays, dry eating (bread, water, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, honey).

From December 20 to January 1, fishing is prohibited on Tuesdays and Thursdays. From January 2 to 6, dry eating hot food without oil is allowed hot food with butter is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays .

During the Nativity Fast, you are allowed to eat any vegetables and fruits, cereals, legumes, and mushrooms . During fasting, you should not eat meat, eggs, cheese, dairy products, or butter .

What not to do during fasting in November

The main prohibition of the Nativity Fast is restrictions on the consumption of certain foods. It is worth noting that you cannot fast against your will. You need to be prepared for this spiritually and purposefully take this step.

As on any church holiday or fast, at this time it is forbidden to use foul language, make troubles and sort things out with other people, wish harm to someone and commit any sins. It is important to remember that according to the boomerang law, all evil will return to the one who committed it, many times over.

During the Nativity Fast, it is recommended to abstain from intimacy. It is also impossible to hold weddings and wedding ceremonies during this period. During Lent in November, it is forbidden to get drunk, as it is considered one of the greatest sins. On weekends or holidays, it is permissible to drink a small amount of red wine, but it is important not to overdo it.

Any entertainment events are prohibited during the Nativity Fast. You shouldn't even watch entertaining and funny programs. You need to distract yourself from earthly joys and pay more attention to your spiritual development.

Nutrition calendar for the Nativity Fast by day

Nutrition calendar for the Nativity Fast / photo kleo.ru

November 28, Saturday - Allowed to eat fish and seafood, hot food with butter

November 29, Sunday - Allowed to eat fish and seafood, hot food with butter

November 30, Monday - Hot food without oil (porridge, soups, stewed vegetables, mushrooms)

December 1, Tuesday - Allowed to eat fish and seafood, hot food with butter

December 2, Wednesday - Dry eating: bread, water, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, honey

December 3, Thursday - Allowed to eat fish and seafood, hot food with butter

December 4, Friday - Presentation of the Virgin Mary, in honor of the holiday you can eat fish and drink wine

December 5, Saturday - Allowed to eat fish and seafood, hot food with butter

December 6, Sunday - Allowed to eat fish and seafood, hot food with butter

December 7, Monday - Hot food without oil (porridge, soups, stewed vegetables, mushrooms)

December 8, Tuesday - Allowed to eat fish and seafood, hot food with butter

December 9, Wednesday - Dry eating: bread, water, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, honey

December 10, Thursday - Allowed to eat fish and seafood, hot food with butter

Orthodox church holidays in November 2021

November 1, 2021 Sunday

21st Sunday after Pentecost.
Transfer of the relics of St. John of Rila.
Memorial Day of the Prophet Joel.
Martyr Uar of Egypt and with him seven Christian teachers.

November 2, 2021 Monday

22nd Week after Pentecost.
Venerable Gabriel of Samtavria, Archimandrite.
Great Martyr Artemios of Antioch.
The Righteous Youth Artemy Verkolsky.

November 3, 2021 Tuesday

22nd Week after Pentecost.
Venerable Hilarion the Great.
Transfer of the relics of St. Hilarion, Bishop of Meglin.

November 4, 2021 Wednesday

22nd Week after Pentecost.
Celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
Memorial Day of Equal-to-the-Apostles Averky the Wonderworker.
Seven Youths, also in Ephesus: St. Maximilian, Jamblichus, Martinian, Dionysius, Antoninus, Exacustodian (Constantine) and John.
Celebration of the icon of the Mother of God Unexpected Joy.
Fast day.

November 5, 2021 Thursday

22nd Week after Pentecost.
Apostle James, brother of the Lord according to the flesh.
Blessed Jacob of Borovichi, Novgorod Wonderworker (transfer of relics).

November 6, 2021 Friday

22nd Week after Pentecost.
Icon of the Mother of God “Joy to All Who Sorrow.”
Venerable Zosima Verkhovsky.
Martyr Arethas and with him 4299 martyrs.
Fast day.

November 7, 2021 Saturday

22nd Week after Pentecost. Dimitrievskaya parent's Saturday.
Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius, notaries of Constantinople.
Celebration of the Valcurian Icon of the Mother of God.

November 8, 2021 Sunday

22nd Sunday after Pentecost.
Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica.
Memories of the great and terrible earthquake that happened in Constantinople.

November 9, 2021 Monday

23rd Week after Pentecost.
Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica.

November 10, 2021 Tuesday

23rd Week after Pentecost.
Paraskeva Pyatnitsa is the day of remembrance of the martyr Paraskeva, named Pyatnitsa.
Saint Arseny the First, Archbishop of Serbia.
Venerable Job, abbot of Pochaev.
Saint Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov.

November 11, 2021 Wednesday

23rd Week after Pentecost.
Venerable Abraham, Archimandrite of Rostov.
Venerable Abraham the Recluse, presbyter and blessed Mary, his niece.
Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome.
Fast day.

November 12, 2021 Thursday

23rd Week after Pentecost.
Hieromartyr Zinovia and Martyr Zinovia.
Ozeryansk Icon of the Mother of God.

November 13, 2021 Friday

23rd Week after Pentecost.
Martyr Epimachus of Alexandria.
The 70 apostles were Stachy, Amplia, Urvana, Narcissus, Appellius and Aristobulus.
Fast day.

November 14, 2021 Saturday

23rd Week after Pentecost.
The unmercenary and miracle workers Cosmas and Damian and their mother the Monk Theodotia.

November 15, 2021 Sunday

23rd Sunday after Pentecost.
Martyrs Akindinus, Pigasius, Affonia, Elpidiphoros, Anempodista and others like them.
Celebration of the “Hodegetria” of the Shuya Icon of the Mother of God.

Monday November 16, 2021

24th Week after Pentecost.
Martyrs Akepsimus the bishop, Joseph the presbyter and Aifal the deacon.
Renovation of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Lydda.

November 17, 2021 Tuesday

24th Week after Pentecost.
Venerable Ioannikis the Great.
Hieromartyrs Nikander and Hermeus.

November 18, 2021 Wednesday

24th Week after Pentecost.
Saint Jonah, Archbishop of Novgorod.
Martyr Galaktion and Martyr Epistimia.
Saint Tikhon Belavin, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
Fathers of the Local Council of the Russian Church 1917–1918.
Fast day.

November 19, 2021 Thursday

24th Week after Pentecost.
Saint Paul the First, Patriarch of Constantinople, Confessor.
The repose of St. Varlaam of Khutyn.

November 20, 2021 Friday

24th Week after Pentecost.
Venerable Lazarus of Galicia.
Martyrs Hieron, Hesychius, Nikandra, Athanasius, Mamantha, Barachia, Callinice, Theagena, Nikon, Longinus, Theodora, Valeria, Xanthus, Theodula, Callimachus, Eugenia, Theodochus, Ostrichia, Epiphania, Maximiana, Ducetia, Claudiana, Theophila, Gigantia, Dorothea , Theodotus, Kastricia, Anicetas, Themelius, Eutyches, Hilarion, Diodotus and Amonitas, who suffered in Melitina.
Celebration of the Icon of the Mother of God “Leaping”.
Fast day.

November 21, 2021 Saturday

24th Week after Pentecost.
Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers.

November 22, 2021 Sunday

24th Sunday after Pentecost.
Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyry.
Venerable Matrona of Constantinople.
Venerable Theoktista of Paria.
Icon of the Mother of God, called “Quick to Hear”.

Monday November 23, 2021

25th Week after Pentecost.
Apostles from the 70 Erastus, Olympus, Rodion, Sosipater, Quarta (Quarta) and Tertius.

November 24, 2021 Tuesday

25th Week after Pentecost.
Great Martyr Mina of Cotuan (Phrygian).
Martyr Vincent of Augustopolis (Zaragoza), deacon.
Blessed Maxim, Christ for the sake of the holy fool, Moscow wonderworker.
Martyr Victor and Martyr Stefanida.
Iverskaya Montreal; Myrrh-streaming icon of the Mother of God.

November 25, 2021 Wednesday

25th Week after Pentecost.
Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria.
Venerable Neil the Faster.
Memorial Day of St. Nile the Myrrh-Streaming.
Icons of the Mother of God “Merciful”.
Fast day.

November 26, 2021 Thursday

25th Week after Pentecost.
Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople.

November 27, 2021 Friday

25th Week after Pentecost. Preparation for the Nativity Fast.
The plan for the Christmas (Filippov) fast (meat-free).
Apostle Philip.
Fast day.

November 28, 2021 Saturday

25th Week after Pentecost.
The beginning of the Nativity Fast.
Martyrs and confessors Guria, Samon and Aviv.
Venerable Paisius Velichkovsky.
Celebration of the icons of the Mother of God Kupyatitskaya, Fragrant Flower.
Fast day.

The Nativity Fast continues from November 28, 2021 until January 6, 2021.

November 29, 2021 Sunday

25th Sunday after Pentecost.
Apostle and Evangelist Matthew.
Fast day.

Monday November 30, 2021

26th Week after Pentecost.
Saint Gregory the Wonderworker.
St. Nikon, abbot of Radonezh, disciple of St. Sergius.
Icon of the Mother of God “Breaking Oil”.
Fast day.

How to prepare for the Nativity fast

Prepare for fasting in advance so that it is not stressful for the body. Gradually reduce the amount of meat and dairy products in your diet.
The day before entering the fast, cleanse the intestines to launch the mechanisms of intracellular nutrition and get rid of the constant feeling of hunger.
Enter the fast with weak restrictions and gradually tighten them.
Have fruit and vegetable snacks between main meals.
Increase your meal portions to reach your calorie intake.

Prayers recited during Philippi Fast

The time of fasting is a time of more intense prayer and deep confession. You can confess in most churches at every evening service, but it is better to find out the time of confession in your church in advance.

Physical fasting without spiritual fasting does not bring anything to the salvation of the soul; on the contrary, it can be spiritually harmful if a person, abstaining from food, becomes imbued with the consciousness of his own superiority. True fasting is associated with prayer, repentance, abstinence from passions and vices, the eradication of evil deeds, forgiveness of insults, abstinence from married life, the exclusion of entertainment and entertainment events, and watching television.

Fasting is not a goal, but a means—a means to humble one’s flesh and cleanse oneself of sins. Without prayer and repentance, fasting becomes just a diet. While we fast physically, at the same time we need to fast spiritually: “As we fast, brethren, physically, let us also fast spiritually, let us resolve every union of unrighteousness,” commands the Holy Church.

The essence of fasting is expressed in the following church song: “Fasting from food, my soul, and not being cleansed from passions, we are in vain consoled by non-eating: for if fasting does not bring you correction, then you will be hated by God as false, and will become like evil demons, We never poison.”

Prayers worth reading during the Nativity Fast

Prayer before meals

Believers read these prayers (usually the first one) before sitting down to eat, “expressing their hope that the Lord will not abandon us in our daily needs.”

Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Our Father, who is in heaven! Let Your name be reverently revered, may Your Kingdom come, may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today the bread we need to live; and forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who have offended us, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (the devil).

or:

The eyes of all trust in You, Lord, and You give them food at the right time, having opened Your generous hand and fulfilling every animal’s good will. The eyes of all (people) look at You with hope, Lord, and You give them food at the right time, You open Your generous hand and fill all living things with Your mercy.

Prayer after eating

Read after finishing the meal; in this prayer we offer gratitude to God for the fact that He, in His mercy, feeds us, and we ask not to deprive us of His Heavenly Kingdom - the blessed life of the soul among the angels and saints after the exodus from this world. We thank You, Christ our God, for You have satisfied us Your earthly blessings; do not deprive us of your Heavenly Kingdom, but as you came among your disciples, Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us. We thank you, Christ our God, that you have nourished us with your earthly blessings; do not deprive us of Your Heavenly. Kingdom, but as (You) came among Your disciples (apostles), sending them peace, come to us and give us salvation (souls).

This is important to know: you should read these prayers while standing, facing the icon (which must be in the kitchen or other place where you eat), out loud or silently, making the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of the prayer. If there are several people at the table, one of them (usually the eldest) reads the prayer out loud. After reading a prayer before eating, people cross the cooked food - folding their fingers as if making the sign of the cross, they cross the food from top to bottom and from left to right. In many monasteries there is a tradition of sprinkling food with holy water before eating it; This establishment is quite applicable at home.

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