Meaning of fasting is not do wrong to each other, priest

The Nativity Fast or the Christmas Fast began today for old calendar Orthodox Christians. It lasts 40 days and ends the day before Christmas. Priest Eugen Onicov of the Saint Panteleimon Church told Info-Prim Neo that the fasting has two aspects: the material, when Christians abstain from foods of animal origin, such as meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, etc., and the spiritual aspect: when we abstain from sins, we pray and call on Christian virtues. “The central meaning of fasting is not to do wrong to each other”, said Eugen Onicov. The priest added that during the lent, on Saturdays and Sundays, and on holidays, people are allowed to eat fish. Sick people and children can be permitted other foods by the priest, except for Wednesdays and Fridays. Christians who want to receive the Holy Communion, can do so beginning on Sunday. There are four great fasts in the Orthodox Calendar: the Great Lent or Easter Fast, the Nativity Fast, the Dormition Fast and the Apostles’ Fast.