www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall What name do you use to describe the 40 day Pre-Christmas Fast

What name do you and your family use to describe the 40 day fast period prior to Christmas?

On the website, we've typically used a combination of these names. "Philip's Fast" is traditional but speaks to the start of the Fast. In conversations I've noticed that "Nativity Fast" is also fairly common and has the advantage of being easily understood by non-Byzantines. "Advent" and "Byzantine Advent" are similar.

Thanks for your input.

What name do you and your family use to describe the 40 day fast period prior to Christmas? single choice
	Philip's Fast
	Nativity Fast
	Advent
	Christmas Fast
	Something Else
Votes accepted starting: 11/15/13 07:40 PM
View Results

This is my first serious Nativity Fast, so far as the fasting discipline is concerned.

I find it interesting that interesting that my local Orthodox congregations readily use the term "Advent", and that the term is most prevelant with the Greeks.

I call it the Philipovia.

I should go to Confession for what I think about it.

Honestly, I know the Fast is good for me, and that's why I do it, but I wish I could be a bit more happy about fasting.

Shows that I'm not a saint.

Traditionally our people refer to the Fast as "Filipovka" or Phillip's Fast. Today we have adopted the western term "Advent." However, to most - Orthodox and I suspect to most EC's as well, it's more commonly referred to as "Oh, that. (Embarrased grin.)"

So much of how we feel is because this time of year has mistakenly become the time of merry making and the like. I say mistakenly because traditionally one would fast until Christmas and then merry make until the Epiphany.

Because of the commercial nature of our society and what it has turned Christmas into, we are accosted with luscious holiday recipes, treats and foods throughout December--which make the practicing Eastern Catholic or Orthodox person feel uncomfortable.

If our society adhered to the Western and Eastern Christian age old tradition of the 12 days of Christmas, we would look at it more like Pascha and probably would not resent the fasting aspect as much.

It is so much nicer experiencing Christmas in the traditional way. In Greece, it doesn't reach a buying frenzy climax on Christmas day, only to be let down and depressed right after...along with discarded wrapping paper, trees, holiday music, treats, and decorations. They are all still there in stores, in the streets, and in people's houses, until the Epiphany and it makes for a much nicer vacation for the children. New Year's, a part of the 12 days of Christmas, is also St. Basil's day in Orthodoxy, and on that day, though some may have hangovers from lack of sleep or too much drink, it is still a holiday--and a day to go visiting, eat the special Vasilopita cake and a special meal...

The Lenten Fast isn't very high up on my list of favorite things either!

Dear Irish Ruthenian,

No one embarks on vegan eating (other than vegans) with joy at first, but think of how good it is for us to be urged into it.

If you are eating legumes during these fasts you are eating a food that is one of the most nutritious and cancer fighting foods there is, yet most Americans do not eat them unless they are coupled with artery clogging partners like sausage or cheeses.

If you are eating more nuts, then again you are helping your life long health.

If you are eating more veggies and fruits--the same holds true.

..you get the picture!

Not to mention that fasting helps us spiritually because we are depriving ourselves. Just don't overdo the vegan cookies and dark chocolate! :-)

Don't do chocolate during a fast. Maybe that's why I get a tad cranky!

Okay, here is something sure to put a smile on your face, as it did for my husband.

I recently had it at a natural juicing bar that are becoming so popular in certain parts of the country. It was incredibly delicious, filling, and sweet, but since a small one cost $7.00, I decided to replicate the ingredients in my own blender. (Fortunately, they had listed all the ingredients on their menu)...

It is SO easy to make at home, and a mere fraction of the price they charge. Best of all, it is fasting friendly and healthful...

It is an Almond milk, date, banana, nutmeg and vanilla Smoothie drink.


Just buy a box of fresh Medjool dates (I recommend keeping these in the fridge because their natural sugars could attract unwanted 'friends').
Buy some Almond Milk.
Buy some vanilla extract.
Buy some bananas.
Buy some nutmeg.

For two portions, in a blender, mix one cup Almond Milk, three dates (make sure you pit them first), one and a half banana, a dash of vanilla, and a few shakes of nutmeg (according to your preference--personally I love nutmeg). Add some ice, or crushed ice, and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

(It is so sweet and dessert-like, that it really does not need any added sweeteners.)

Mmmmmmmmmmm......thank you!

What? No chocolate during fast? Is outrage!!! Good dark chocolate makes the fasts bearable.

Dearie dearie me

Are Charles and I the only ones who realise that proper dark Chocolate is fasting food ?

Understood. However, there is a bit of self-sacrifice to denying myself chocolate during the Fast.

Sounds like a Latin concept to me. LOL. We Byzantines are joyful people.

Ummm -- not letting meat , dairy etc near your mouth is not self sacrifice enough ?

I'm vegetarian, so when the Church says give up meat, I say, "sure, no problem."

However, the dairy is the difficult thing to do without. Glad I have dark chocolate for consolation.

I was thinking of trying to break my soda addiction during the fast (already I've moved to drinking only decaffinated and non-sugar soda), but decided it was just too much.

Chocolate is my demon. mmm chocolate..

Don't forget all the feast days prior to Nativity!

Are you not supposed to feast during those times?

Also ... what does everyone do with Thanksgiving Dinner?

Hi,

In certain jurisdictions, economy is given for Thanksgiving day.
So, yes, in my family, we eat Turkey.

Regards,
Alice

The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese grants dispensation for Thanksgiving Day and "Black Friday"; the latter so that the leftovers are not wasted.

Here is a recipe for a very easy faux "Maryland Crab Soup":

In a large crock pot combine:

1 16oz can tomato juice
3 16 oz cans mixed vegetables
2 packages of faux "lobster delights" (or substitute real tinned crab)
Old Bay seasoning to taste

Cook 4 hours on high or 6 - 8 hours on low.

This was purely my invention/experiment and the good Presbytera deemed it a success (but cut back on the Old Bay next time).

Basically the same for the Greek. Sometimes we think of it as being gluttonous, but the Christian truth is that food should not be wasted.

I thought of a more appropriate name for this time:

"Black Beans and Lentils are your Friends Month!"

"Black Beans and Lentils are your Friends Month!"

Have you been watching Dr. Oz?

Naa......they're just the easiest things to cook for me during a fasting period.

Not that I'm all that fond of them. But a little spice here and there can do wonders!

LOL. I just sat down to check in on the forum while my leftover black bean soup is heating up for dinner, and what do I find but posts about black beans!

Hi Jaya,

Could you/would you mind sharing that recipe? I once made black bean soup with the recipe on the back of a Nabisco cracker box (many years ago), and loved it, but don't remember it I believe it had tomato salsa added to it...

What is yours?

Thanks,
Alice

Hi Alice,

I'll try to post the recipe sometime this weekend on the Food/Recipe subforum.

Jaya

I've always referred to it as the Nativity Fast, although St. Phillip's Fast is closest to the "Filipovka" meaning, I generally keep things in layman's terms when it comes to describing things (at least most of the time).

Although, bear in mind, that prior to the Second Vatican Council, it was also custom to fast, pray, and give alms in the West during the Advent season, but it just seems that the RC relaxed that quite a bit. All in all, I definitely do prefer the Eastern version of the Pre-Nativity period.