www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Fasting Regulations for Philip's Fast

According to the forty-day tradition, the Philip's Fast (also known as the Nativity Fast and Christmas Lent) begins at the conclusion of the Feast of St. Philip the Apostle (tomorrow night). During this fast it is the custom to observe a strict fast on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and a lesser fast on Tuesday and Thursday. This fast is voluntarily and may be observed partially or in its entirety. Taken from the Typicon.

The faithful are asked to spend time in prayer, penance and fasting in order to properly prepare ourselves for the celebrations of the coming of the Savior in His Nativity at Christmas (December 25) and the beginning of His public ministry at His Baptism (January 6). Those who choose to follow the stricter fast would be expected and encouraged to make appropriate exemptions for Thanksgiving so that they may join with their families in praying for our nation and celebrating our nation's blessings. No special blessing would be needed from your priest to break the fast for Thanksgiving as the fast is voluntarily in itself. Questions should always be directed first to your pastor or spiritual director.

A short primer on Philip's Fast can be found at https://www.byzcath.org/faith/menaion/phillips_fast.htm

Those who follow the Julian Calendar should wait 13 days before reading this message!

Please use this thread to discuss how your family celebrates the fast and prepares for the holy days ahead.

OK folks come and help this stoopid Latin.

Last year I decided I would try to use a more 'Eastern' approach to my preparation for Christmas . I did try - honest I did - but then the situation of Tina's injury blew up and I fear all my resolutions went by the board.

Now since my Spirtual Director is more or less unreachable due to family illness , this is something I will have to do [ and sort out ] for myself. The one big problem is a non- believing carnivore who insists on his daily ration of meat !! Substitutes are immediately identified - and rejected

Now please can I have some suggestions ? Fasting as a discipline is not going to be easy and I'm not sure how I can add to my prayer life - I struggle at times to complete what I feel I must do.

All contributions will be most gratefully accepted.

Angela

What about just giving something up similar to the customs during the Great Fast? I try to give-up whatever will have the most noticiable affect to me. Perhaps that second cup of Tea in the morning or any fried foods or something along those lines. Any sacrifice no matter how small, done for the love of our Lord, is worthy in my opinion.

Dmitri

Angela,

I agree with Dmitri. There are few in our Church who actually keep the full strict fast. Most people adapt it in some way. Philip's Fast was never kept as strictly as the Great Fast before Holy Week and Pascha.

I am again doing what I call a "reverse fast". I will not eat meat on Wednesdays or Fridays during the Fast but the rest of the time I will focus on eating only healthy foods. I seem to keep the fast better if I concentrate on getting my five fruits and vegetables each day and limiting meat instead of giving up meat or other items altogether.

Some families that I know fast only from meat. In our culture which celebrates Advent as if it were already Christmas it is very difficult to ask your family to give up things when everyone else is out partying. Maybe the offering could be one of service for your family rather than one of fasting?

The only days that are strict fast are Christmas Eve and Theophany Eve.

Admin

To understand what "we" really are supposed to do, go to goarch.org, go to 'calendar' and download the calendar printed there. It has little crosses to indicate days of strict fast, days when fish and/or oil are allowed, etc. Although, as the administrator has indicated, most Orthodox don't quite do the "required thing", it serves as a reminder of what our traditions would require.

This year, I'm actually going to try to do the Philip's fast as traditionally set up -- kinda sorta like the Great Fast. I ask everyone's prayers that I can start and complete the Holy Marathon in preparation for the Great Feast of the Nativity. (Hey, if it weren't for the Nativity, there would be no salvation!!!)

Blessings and Prayers!

Dear Angela,

First of all, thank you for your card!!

Secondly, I believe God presents us with new spiritual opportunities for communion with Him during fasting periods.

For me, keeping to my diabetic diet is penance enough.

Yet, long life, energetic enthusiasm and well-being are assured as its end result.

Struggle is an important aspect in spiritual life, as you know.

Fasting is also part of a spiritual eschatological vision of the Christian who, in the act of fasting, points to the time following the Second Coming of our Lord, when we will be free of our current bodily needs and dependencies.

That's the best I can do right now . . .

Alex

Angela,

Just one more bit:

The three "legs" of a fast are bodily fasting, prayer, and works of mercy. If one "leg" can't be messed with, lean on one or both of the others a bit more.

best,

Sharon

We will see what we [ the Royal we , of course] can do.

Do I gather that weekends are not really included - or am I just being obtuse ? A certain Old Calendar Ukie [ no not Alex ] led me astray at the weekend, big time.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Orthodox Catholic:

"For me, keeping to my diabetic diet is penance enough."

From an Eastern POV, what does fasting have to do with penance?

Christian

Dear Orthodox SWE,

I'm using "penance" in the sense that it can be difficult and painful.

I've often had difficulty with the Orthodox view that some of the most painful spiritual exercises and podvigs are to be seen within a perspective of healthfulness etc.

It's true, of course.

But it's sometimes difficult to understand.

I sometimes don't understand you Orthodox guys - there, I've said it, O.K.?

Now you can go back to "enjoying" your fast . . .

Alex

Dear All,
I found the information in this thread useful and am trying to keep St Philip's fast (only to a limited extent, of course) for the first time this year.

I was wondering, being the book wormish type, if anyone had any recommendations on some good spiritual reading for this season of Eastern Advent. From an Eastern Christian slant of course. I know that St John Climacus is de riguer during Great Lent and there's undoubtedly a lot more that's suitable for Great Lent. But what's appropriate for St Philip's Fast time? Last year I read St Athanasius's On the Incarnation and might read it again but closer to Christmas or right after Christmas. I found it a good read and it gave me a much deeper appreciation for the Incarnation.

Any suggestions?

John

"The Winter Pascha" by Father Thomas Hopko

All around us are folks who are not Eastern Christians, who know next to nothing about the Fast. When it comes to the holiday season, I am usually faced with foods that conflict with the Fast, so I use "economia". There is a direct justification for this in St. Paul who speaks of eating what your host(s) serves (think its in one of his letters to the Corinthians), out of respect for them. In other words, discretion ought to allow all of us to eat the cookie offered at the home of a non-Byzantine friend, out of love for them. Just don't overdo it.

This fast can also be a way of preparing ourselves for the more rigorous discipline of the Great Fast. After all, fasting is important to personal piety as an Eastern Christian. If you can get used to the constraints of the Nativity Fast, the Great Fast is apt to be more doable.

There are also a great many dietary workarounds- dairyless breads and cakes, soy substitutes for mayonnaise, egg replacements for dairyless pancakes, etc.- that can make the Fast easier to follow. (For me, giving up all dairy products is the toughest part.)

Do you all think that the " whey " in all those protein powered drinks count as dairy? How about the "casein " in those VEGETARIAN & SOY CHEESES ?
Are they dairy ? They count as dairy in lactose restricted diets for some digestive disorders. Am I being too scrupulous ?

Dear Tibubut,

You just MAY be overly scrupulous!

But the principle of fasting overall is to weaken the body, as I understand it.

Once we've done that sufficiently, I think our job is done!

I once worked for a Russian Orthodox Christian who simply HAD to add cream to his coffee during the Great Fast.

He went through different shades of colour out of shame and remorse.

There must be an easier way to struggle spiritually, no?

Alex