The Orthodox Christians following the Gregorian calendar begin the Nativity Fast on November 28 (November 15 on the Julian calendar). The Nativity Fast is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Orthodox Christians in preparation for the Nativity of Christ. It runs for 40 days until January 6 inclusive (December 24 on the Julian calendar). The bishop of the Ialoveni Church “Saint Pious Parascheva” Oleg Ursu called on the parishioners to pray and repent, IPN reports.
The fast entails fasting from poultry, meat products, eggs, dairy products, fish, oil, and wine. The fasting rules permit fish, and/or wine and oil on certain feast days that occur during the course of the fast until Jnauary 2 (December 20 on the Julian calendar), when it is celebrated Saint Martyr Theophor. Those who want to take communion can do it in any church starting with the first fating week.
There are four main periods of extended fasting during the year: the Great Lent; the Nativity Fast; the Apostles' Fast, and the Dormition Fast.
