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{{Short description|Period of abstinence and penance in Christianity}}
{{Liturgical year}}
{{Eastern Orthodox sidebar|expanded=calendar}}

In [[Christianity]], the '''Nativity Fast'''—or '''Fast of the Prophets''' in [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]] and [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church]]—is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Oriental Orthodox Churches|Oriental Orthodox Church]] and [[Catholic Church]] in preparation for the [[Nativity of Jesus]] on December 25.<ref>December 25 on the traditional [[Julian Calendar]] ([[Old Style|O.S.]]) falls, during the 20th and 21st centuries, on January 7 of the modern [[Gregorian Calendar]]). All dates in this article refer to the dates as they are written in the [[Menaion]]. For those churches which follow the Julian Calendar, the date on the Gregorian Calendar are now 13 days later (December 25 Julian = January 7 Gregorian). For those churches following the [[Revised Julian Calendar]], the services are celebrated on the date according also to the calculation of the Gregorian Calendar.</ref> Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches commence the season on November 24 and end the season on the day of [[Ethiopian Christmas]], which falls on January 7. The corresponding [[Western Church|Western]] season of preparation for [[Christmas]], which also has been called the Nativity Fast<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=0QkKj8EzkmkC&dq=Bingham+%22Nativity+Fast%22&pg=PA240 Joseph Bingham, ''Origines Ecclesiasticae'' (W. Straker, 1840), p. 240]</ref> and [[St. Martin's Lent]], has taken the name of [[Advent]]. The Eastern [[fasting|fast]] runs for 40 days instead of four (in the [[Roman Rite]]) or six weeks ([[Ambrosian Rite]]) and thematically focuses on proclamation and glorification of the [[Incarnation (Christianity)|Incarnation of God]], whereas the Western Advent focuses on three comings (or ''advents'') of [[Jesus Christ]]: his birth, reception of his [[Grace in Christianity|grace]] by the faithful, and his [[Second Coming]] or ''[[Parousia]]''.

The Byzantine fast is observed from November 15 to December 24, inclusively. These dates apply to the Eastern Catholic Churches, and Eastern Orthodox churches which use the [[Revised Julian calendar]], which currently matches the [[Gregorian calendar]]. For those Eastern Orthodox churches which still follow the [[Julian calendar]]—the [[Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem]], the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]], the [[Georgian Orthodox Church]], the [[Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)|Ukrainian Orthodox Church]], the [[Macedonian Orthodox Church]], [[Mount Athos]], the [[Portuguese Orthodox Church]], and all [[Old Calendarists]], as well as some parishes of the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]], of the [[Polish Orthodox Church]], and of the [[Orthodox Church in America|Orthodox Church of America]]—the Winter Lent does not begin until November 28 (Gregorian) which coincides with November 15 on the Julian calendar. The [[Ancient Church of the East]] fasts dawn til dusk from December 1 until December 25 on the Gregorian calendar.

Sometimes the fast is called '''Philip's Fast''' (or the Philippian Fast), as it traditionally begins on the day following the Feast of [[Philip the Apostle|St. Philip the Apostle]] (November 14). Some churches, such as the [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]], have abbreviated the fast to start on December 10, following the Feast of the [[Feast of the Immaculate Conception#Eastern Orthodox Practice|Conception]] by [[Saint Anne]] of the Most Holy [[Theotokos]].

==Purpose of fasting==
{{Further|Fasting in religion#Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy}}
Through the discipline of [[fasting]], when practiced with prayer, [[repentance]], and [[almsgiving]], it is believed that by controlling bodily desire for food, other passions are controlled as well, and that the soul can orient more away from worldly needs and more towards spiritual needs. Through this practice one is better enabled to draw closer to [[Jesus in Christianity|Christ]], and engage in the continuous and synergistic process of becoming more [[Theosis (Eastern Christian theology)|Christ-like]].  While fasting is practiced with the body, it is important to note that emphasis is placed on the spiritual facet of the fast rather than mere physical deprivation. [[Eastern Orthodox theology]] sees a synthesis between the body and the soul, so what happens to one can be used to have an effect on the other.<ref>{{Citation
 | last =Kallistos (Ware)
 | first =Archimandrite
 | author-link =Timothy Ware
 | contribution =The True Nature of Fasting
 | year =1978
 | title =The Lenten Triodion
 | place=South Canaan, PA
 | publisher =St. Tikhon's Seminary Press (2002 reprint)
 | isbn =978-1-878997-51-7
 }}</ref>

==Fasting rules==
[[Image:Otroki_novgorod.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace'', celebrated during the Nativity Fast as a reminder of the grace acquired through fasting (15th century [[icon]] of the [[Novgorod school]]).]]
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the fast traditionally entails [[Eastern Orthodoxy#Fasting|fasting]] from [[red meat]], [[poultry]], [[Broth|meat products]], eggs, [[dairy|dairy products]], fish, oil, and wine. Fish, wine and oil are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays as well as most Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and oil and wine are generally allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except in the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church]]. 

The fasting rules also permit fish, wine and oil on certain [[feast day]]s that occur during the course of the fast: [[Evangelist Matthew]] (November 16), [[Apostle Andrew]] (November 30), [[St. Barbara|Great-martyr Barbara]] (December 4), [[St. Nicholas]] (December 6), [[St. Spiridon]] and [[Herman of Alaska|St. Herman]] (December 12), [[Ignatius of Antioch|St. Ignatius]] (December 20), etc.  The Nativity Fast is not as severe as [[Great Lent]] or the [[Dormition Fast]].

As is always the case with Orthodox fasting rules, persons who are ill, the very young or elderly, and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting. Each individual is expected to confer with their [[confessor]] regarding any exemptions from the fasting rules, but should never place themselves in physical danger.

There has been some ambiguity about the restriction of fish, whether it means the allowance of [[invertebrate]] fish or all fish. Often, even on days when fish is not allowed, shellfish may be consumed.  More detailed guidelines vary by jurisdiction, but the rules strictly state that from the December 20 to December 24 (inclusively), no fish may be eaten.

The [[Christmas Eve|Eve of Nativity]] (December 24) is a strict [[Fasting#Eastern Orthodoxy|fast day]], called ''Paramony'' ({{lit.|preparation|lk=no}}), on which no solid food should be eaten until [[Sirius]] is seen in the evening sky (or at the very least, until after the [[Vespers#Eastern/Oriental Catholic & Orthodox|Vesperal]] [[Divine Liturgy]] that day). If Paramony falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the day is not observed as a strict fast, but a meal with wine and oil is allowed after the Divine Liturgy, which would be celebrated in the morning.

==Liturgical aspects==
[[File:Presentation of Virgin Mary (icon).jpg|thumb|250px|''[[The Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple]]'', the [[Great Feasts|Great Feast]] which falls during the course of the Nativity Fast (16th-century Russian [[icon]]).]]

In some places, the services on weekdays during the fast are similar to the services during [[Great Lent]] (with some variations). Many churches and monasteries in the [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian]] tradition will perform the Lenten services on at least the first day of the Nativity Fast. Often the [[antependium|hangings]] in the church will be changed to a somber, Lenten colour.

During the course of the fast, a number of [[feast days]] celebrate those [[Old Testament]] [[prophet]]s who [[prophesy|prophesied]] the [[Incarnation (Christianity)|Incarnation]]; for instance: [[Obadiah]] (November 19), [[Nahum]] (December 1), [[Habbakuk]] (December 2), [[Zephaniah]] (December 3), [[Haggai]] (December 16), [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] and the [[Three Holy Youths]] (December 17).  These last are significant not only because of their perseverance in fasting, but also because their preservation unharmed in the midst of the [[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego#Fiery furnace|fiery furnace]] is interpreted as being symbolic of the Incarnation—the [[Virgin Mary]] conceived [[Logos|God the Word]] in her womb without being consumed by the fire of the [[Godhead (Christianity)|Godhead]].

As is true of all of the four Byzantine fasts, a [[Great Feast]] falls during the course of the fast; in this case, the [[Entry of the Theotokos]] (November 21). After the [[Afterfeast|apodosis]] (leave-taking) of that feast, hymns of the Nativity are chanted on Sundays and higher-ranking feast days.

=== Forefeast ===

The liturgical [[Forefeast]] of the Nativity begins on December 20, and concludes with the Paramony on December 24. During this time hymns of the Nativity are chanted every day.  In the [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian usage]], the [[antependium|hangings]] in the church are changed to the festive color (usually white) at the beginning of the Forefeast.

=== Sunday of the Forefathers ===
Two Sundays before Nativity (hence, between 11 and 17 December of each year<ref>{{cite web | url = https://oca.org/saints/lives/2009/12/13/80-sunday-of-the-forefathers | title = Liturgy of the Sunday of the Holy Fathers | language = en | access-date = Oct 11, 2018 | website = Eastern Orthodox Church of America | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181011152745/https://oca.org/saints/lives/2009/12/13/80-sunday-of-the-forefathers | archive-date = Oct 11, 2018 | url-status = live}}</ref>), the Church calls to remembrance the ancestors of the church, both before the giving of the [[Ten Commandments|Law of Moses]] and after,<ref name="Ware">
{{Citation
 | last =Kallistos (Timothy Ware)
 | first =Bishop
 | author-link =Timothy Ware
 | contribution =Background and Meaning of the Feasts
 | year =1969
 | title =The Festal Menaion
 | page =53
 | place=London
 | publisher =Faber and Faber
 | isbn =0-571-11137-8
 }}
</ref> like [[Adam and Eve|Adam]],<ref>{{cite web | url = https://orthodox-stl.org/sunday_forefathers.html | title = Sunday of the Holy Forefathers | date = Dec 14, 2009 | access-date = Oct 11, 2018 | language = en | website = Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. House Springs, MO }}</ref> "and on through [[Seth]], [[Enoch (ancestor of Noah)|Enoch]], [[Noah]], [[Abraham]], [[Isaac]], [[Jacob]], [[King David]], and other" biblical righteous.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.holy-transfiguration.org/library_en/saints_forefathers.html | title = Sunday of the Holy Forefathers | language = en | access-date = Oct 11, 2018 | website = Russian Orthodox Church of Baltimora, U.S. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071003161613/http://www.holy-transfiguration.org/library_en/saints_forefathers.html | archive-date = Oct 3, 2007 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://oca.org/saints/lives/2009/12/13 | title = Biblical righteous Saints of the Forefathers Sunday | language = en |website = oca.org | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181011155938/https://oca.org/saints/lives/2009/12/13 | archive-date = Oct 11, 2018 | url-status = live}} The list also includes High Priest [[Aaron]], [[Benjamin]], [[Deborah]], [[Ezra]], [[Judith]], [[Miriam]], prophets [[Nathan (prophet)|Nathan]] and [[Nehemiah]], [[Noah]], [[Rebecca]], [[Sarah]], [[Solomon]], [[Susanna (Book of Daniel)|Susanna]], [[Ruth (biblical figure)|Ruth]], Mary (the mother of [[Saint Anne]]), the prophet [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]]</ref> Seth, son of Adam, started the descendants of the [[Son of God|Sons of God]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://oca.org/saints/all-lives/2011/11/23 | title = Afterfeast of the Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple | website = oca.org | language = en | access-date = Oct 11, 2018 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20181011160552/https://oca.org/saints/all-lives/2011/11/23 | archive-date = October 11, 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The [[Menaion]] contains a full set of hymns for this day which are chanted in conjunction with the regular Sunday hymns from the [[Octoechos (liturgy)|Octoechos]]. These hymns commemorate various biblical persons, as well as the [[prophet]] [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] and the [[Three Young Men]]. There are also special [[Epistle]] ({{Bibleverse||Colossians|3:4-11|KJV}}) and [[Gospel]] ({{Bibleverse||Luke|14:16-24|KJV}}) readings appointed for the [[Divine Liturgy]] on this day.

=== Sunday of the Holy Fathers ===
The Sunday before Nativity is even broader in its scope of commemoration than the previous Sunday, in that it commemorates all of the righteous men and women who pleased God from the [[Genesis creation myth|creation of the world]] up to [[Saint Joseph]].<ref name="Ware"/> The Menaion provides an even fuller service for this day than the previous Sunday. At the [[Vespers]] portion of the [[All-Night Vigil]] three [[Old Testament]] "parables" ({{Lang|grc|paroemia}}) are read: {{Bibleverse||Genesis|14:14-20|KJV}}, {{Bibleverse||Deuteronomy|1:8-17|KJV}} and {{Bibleverse||Deuteronomy|10:14-21|KJV}}.  The Epistle which is read at the Divine Liturgy is a selection from {{Bibleverse||Hebrews|11:9-40|KJV}}; the Gospel is the [[Genealogy of Christ]] from the [[Gospel of Matthew]] ({{Bibleverse-nb||Matthew|1:1-25|KJV}})

=== Paramony ===
[[Christmas Eve]] is traditionally called ''Paramony'' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: {{Lang|grc|παραμονή}}, [[Church Slavonic|Slavonic]]: {{Lang|cu|navechérie}}).  Paramony is observed as a strict fast day, on which those faithful who are physically able to, refrain from food until the first star is observed in the evening or after the Vesperal Divine Liturgy, when a meal with wine and oil may be taken.  On this day the [[Royal Hours]] are celebrated in the morning. Some of the hymns are similar to those of [[Theophany]] (Epiphany) and [[Great and Holy Friday]], thus tying the symbolism of Christ's Nativity to his death on the Cross. The Royal Hours are followed by the Vesperal [[Divine Liturgy of St. Basil]] which combines [[Vespers]] with the [[Divine Liturgy]].

During the Vespers, eight [[Old Testament]] [[lection]]s ("parables") which prefigure or prophesy the [[Incarnation]] of Christ are read, and special [[antiphon]]s are chanted.  If the Feast of the Nativity falls on a Sunday or Monday, the Royal Hours are chanted on the previous Friday, and on the Paramony the Vesperal [[Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom]] is celebrated in the morning, with its readings and antiphons, and the fasting is lessened to some degree—a meal with wine and oil being served after the Liturgy.

The [[All-Night Vigil]] on the night of December 24 consists of [[Great Compline]], [[Matins]] and the [[First Hour]].  One of the highlights of Great Compline is the exultant chanting of "God is with us!" interspersed between selected verses from the [[prophecy]] of [[Isaiah]] {{Bibleverse-nb||Isaiah|8:9-18|HE}}, foretelling the triumph of the [[Kingdom of God]], and {{Bibleverse-nb||Isaiah|9:2-7|HE}}, foretelling the birth of the [[Messiah]] ("For unto us a child is born...and he shall be called...the Mighty God....").

The Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of Christ is celebrated on Christmas morning. However, in those [[monastery|monasteries]] which continue to celebrate the All-Night Vigil in its long form—where it literally lasts throughout the night—the conclusion of the Vigil at dawn on Christmas morning will often lead directly into the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.  When the Vigil is separate from the Divine Liturgy, the Lenten fast continues even after the Vigil, until the end of the Liturgy the next morning.

===Fasting during the afterfeast===
On December 25, the [[Afterfeast]] of the [[Nativity of Christ]] begins. From that day to January 4 (the day before [[Theophany]] Eve) is a [[Eastern Orthodoxy#Fasting|fast-free]] period. The Eve of the Theophany (January 5) is another strict fast day (''paramony'').

==Coptic fast==
{{Main|Fasting and abstinence of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria}}
In the [[Coptic Orthodox Church]], an additional fast is observed on the three days before the beginning of the Nativity Fast, to commemorate the miraculous moving of the mountain of Mukattam (which lies within a suburb of [[Cairo]]) at the hands of Saint [[Simon the Tanner]] in the year 975, during the rule of the Muslim [[Fatimid Caliph]] [[Al-Muizz|Al-Muizz Li-Deenillah]].

==Armenian fast==
Uniquely, the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] celebrates Nativity on January 6. Their Fast of Advent begins after seventh Sunday before Christmas.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://armenianchurch.us/2017/11/30/answering-the-why-of-christmas/ | title = Answering The Why Of Christmas | date = 30 November 2017 | access-date = Nov 21, 2021}}</ref>  They then observe a Fast of the Nativity for one week prior to the Feast of the Nativity on January 6 (see [[Calendar of Saints (Armenian Apostolic Church)|Armenian Calendar of Saints]]).

==Eastern Rite Catholics==
The fasting discipline varies somewhat amongst the various [[sui iuris]] [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Churches]] in communion with the [[Holy See]], though in general their rules are now less strict than those observed by the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox. In modern times within the [[Byzantine Rite Catholic Church]], the fast is largely kept on a voluntary basis with the faithful allowed to determine on their own the degree to which they wish to adhere to the traditional rules. However, abstinence from meat remains obligatory on most Fridays during the year.<ref name="Byz Cath Nativity Fast">{{Cite web |title=The Nativity Fast: Philip’s Fast |url=https://stmichaelsbyzantine.com/our-traditions/the-nativity-fast-philips-fast/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church}}</ref> Within the [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]] "...the Church has moderated the strict fasting rules of the past, leaving the specific practice to the discretion of the faithful. However, this does not remove the call to the spirit of sacrifice, repentance, and fasting." Currently the only obligatory discipline is abstinence from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays with all other foods being permitted.<ref name="UGCC">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-16 |title=Nativity Fast has Begun: What Are the Rules and Teachings of the Church? |url=https://ugcc.ua/en/data/nativity-fast-has-begun-what-are-the-rules-and-teachings-of-the-church-1286/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Christmastide]]
*[[Great Lent]]
*[[Apostles' Fast]]
*[[Dormition|Dormition Fast]]

==Notes==
<references />

==External links==
*[https://www.holycrossonline.org/nativity-fast Fasting discipline of the Orthodox Church]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=80 Sunday of the Forefathers] Orthodox [[icon]] and [[synaxarion]]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=81 Sunday before the Nativity] 
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103630 Eve of the Nativity]
{{Christmas}}
{{Nativity of Jesus}}

[[Category:Nativity of Jesus in worship and liturgy|Fast]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox liturgical days]]
[[Category:Christian fasting]]
[[Category:Eastern Christian liturgy]]
[[Category:Advent]]
[[Category:November observances]]
[[Category:December observances]]