For those on the new calendar the nativity fast starts tomorrow 15th November and ends on Christmas day 25th December (40 day fast).
Nativity fast 2024
- Thread starter GoodShepherd
- Start date
I normally follow the Old Calendar, but this year (starting today) I am going to follow the New Calendar for the Nativity Fast. I hope that this will allow me to not have to interrupt the fast for Christmas in order to celebrate with my non-Orthodox family, and then try to restart again afterwards. UPDATE: my priest shot it down. I asked him about it, and he told me that we don't follow the New Calendar, and to not mix them. He said it's better to stick with the fast, break it if necessary for family issues, and then return to it.
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Im assuming thanksgiving is Christmas eve? Last year I was very strict and only ate what is allowed during lent, but Iv learnt that if I go to someones house as a guest and they offer me food I should accept it and eat it to allow them to show hospitality, so if this happens I will accept the food, if not I will continue my fast quietly without anyone knowing.
Im wondering how this will be possible for you if the church you attend follows the old calendar?
Thanksgiving is an American civil holiday that takes place on the last thursday of November. It is traditionally a day of great indulgence, with huge communal dinners that revolve around turkey and all sorts of classic American staples. Usually OC Nativity fast has not started, but this year it starts on the day itself.
Oh I thought that day was in July? You would probably have to skip that BUT what I also learnt is if you go out to family and they offer you food its not a good thing to reject their food my priest told me to allow them to show hospitality, last year I was at family and I rejected all their food without knowing, Looking back I would have prefered they didnt even know I was fasting and not to draw attention to myself.
I’ve been Orthodox close to four years on the old calendar, and things like breaking the fast for secular Christmas don’t wash with my priest anymore. If I do it, it means no communion on Orthodox Christmas.
The “not turning down hospitality” thing is really for unexpected events, not for something you know is happening weeks in advance.
I find that I fall into a bad spiritual state if I indulge in the excesses of secular Christmas, so it’s not something I want to do this year. I will perhaps ask for a blessing for fish and some wine on the 25th with loved ones, but feasting on meat and chocolate is out of the question
I've tried in the past, but since I don't do the cooking, they get VERY offended if I don't eat what they prepare. Besides that, the half that are not nominally Catholic, are atheists. I've tried explaining what fasting means, and they don't get it. They don't want to hear about it, and they think I'm a rude weirdo.