By Fr. George Christodoulos
The Nativity Fast is slightly more relaxed compared to Great Lent, though both last forty days. From November 15 to December 25 the Church has established a fast, which ends immediately after the Christmas Divine Liturgy. We eat fish (except Wednesdays & Fridays) until December 17. The last days of the fast we do not eat fish.
It is worth remembering that Christ himself urges us to fast so that the devil may have no influence over our lives. The purpose of fasting is that it is a weapon to combat our passions, sinful inclinations and bad habits. Everyone in the Church, no matter what age they are, should try their best to be their best. Along with fasting from certain foods, we should also lessen or even eradicate bad habits, such as less cigarettes, less drinking, less junk food, less anger, less judgmentalism, etc. We do this by replacing them with the increase of virtuous living, such as more philanthropy, more patience, more humility, more prayer, more Holy Communion, etc.
It is worth remembering that Christ himself urges us to fast so that the devil may have no influence over our lives. The purpose of fasting is that it is a weapon to combat our passions, sinful inclinations and bad habits. Everyone in the Church, no matter what age they are, should try their best to be their best. Along with fasting from certain foods, we should also lessen or even eradicate bad habits, such as less cigarettes, less drinking, less junk food, less anger, less judgmentalism, etc. We do this by replacing them with the increase of virtuous living, such as more philanthropy, more patience, more humility, more prayer, more Holy Communion, etc.
