The Advent fast begins every year on November 28 and ends before Christmas on January 6. Here the Orthodox calendar dispenses with floating dates, as is the case with Great Lent or Peter Lent. Christmas is a rather long post, it lasts 5 weeks with a little tail. But it is easy to withstand them: firstly, this is not a strict fast, and you can often eat fish, and, secondly, the expectation of a bright holiday helps. Fish can be eaten only a few days a week, but cooked with vegetable oil - every day. And it also makes life easier and makes lean meals more delicious - no need to sit on raw vegetables and steamer dishes for all 5 weeks.
So, the Advent, although it limits those who observe in the choice of products, at the same time provides great opportunities for culinary creativity.
As in any other post, we refuse eggs, dairy products and warm-blooded meat. From everything that is called modest. In order not to confuse when you can eat fish, when you can drink wine, and when only hot food is allowed, we have prepared an infographic calendar.
Beginning of the post
The first day is November 28 - Monday. Traditionally, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are stricter during fasting. So we start with hot lean dishes cooked with vegetable oil.
Pattern: AIF
What and when to eat
There are two traditions of fasting: monastic and secular. The first, of course, is more strict, they fast on it only with the blessing of their confessor. For the laity, everything goes more gently and simply:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot meal with vegetable oil.Tuesday-Thursday - fish and hot food in oil are allowed.
Saturday and Sunday, as well as holidays - fish, wine and vegetable oil are allowed.
The last, sixth week of fasting is the strictest. From January 2, from Monday, to Friday, January 6, fish is no longer eaten, while on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the last week, vegetable oil is excluded from the diet. And, of course, no guilt.
Last day of post
January 6 - Christmas Eve. On this day, it is prescribed to abstain from food until the first star. After its appearance, you can satisfy your hunger with juicy: wheat grains boiled with honey or boiled rice with dried fruits.
Holidays in post
During the Nativity Fast, two major holidays are celebrated: December 4 is the Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, and December 19 is the feast day of St. Nicholas.
On these days, fasting people are allowed fish and vegetable oil. December 4 this year is Sunday, when both wine and fish are allowed and so on. But December 19 is Monday, and it will be possible to refresh your strength with a fish dish and a glass of wine.
Lenten New Year
It will not work to please those who carefully observe traditions and fast according to all the rules with modest New Year's dishes. December 31 is Saturday, you can still eat fish, drink wine - still too. The same goes for January 1st. But on January 2, you already need to get used to a strict fast.
Among the large number of rules and canons that exist in the Christian belief, one of the main places is fasting. The most important fasts are held on the eve of the great holidays, and today we will talk about the Advent fast. According to the new style, in 2016-2017 the Advent Fast will be held from November 28 to January 6.
Historical information
The beginning of such multi-day fasts is worth looking for even at the time of the birth of Christianity itself. The second name of the Nativity Fast is Philippi and it was first mentioned in the 3rd and 4th centuries by Saint Ambrose of Mediodalan and Blessed Augustine. In those days, there were no clear canons for holding this fast, so people fasted as much as they could: someone managed 7 days, someone - a month.
Already a century after the legendary baptism of Russia by Vladimir the Great, the Emperor of Byzantium Manula, together with his colleague Patriarch Luka of Constantinople, ordered all believers to fast for 40 days. It is worth noting that the announced post was considered the main event of the outgoing year. 
What should be understood by the concept of "Christmas fast"?
According to Christians, during the period of overexposure of the 40-day Advent fast, a person is completely cleansed with the help of prayers, repentance and the rejection of modest food. Also, since ancient times, it was believed that it is through the peace of the body and soul, as well as through humility, that a person thanks his Lord for all the generosity that he shows to him.
And only those people who truly believe with a heart overflowing with love for the Lord and adhere strictly to the refusal of some food in the last 7 days of the Nativity Fast can talk about the birth of Jesus Christ. By the way, the second name of this fast is Philippov, because the day of the Conjuring fell earlier just on the feast of the holy Apostle Philip. But church ministers call him the Pentecostals, according to the number of days of fasting itself.
According to the rules of the Nativity Fast, the first part of its holding was considered not too strict, while until Christmas Eve it was necessary to prepare in accordance with all the canons. According to the priests, Advent is considered the time when a person can thank his Lord for all the good things that happened to him throughout the year. It is with the help of sacrifice, mercy and repentance during this period that one can receive the sacrament of union with God and the renewal of the spirit. That is why a person, throughout the declared 40 days, must be very generous with those in need, and with the help of prayer and restrictions, exterminate the sin that has been multiplied throughout the year due to mortal human flesh.
According to the postulates of the allegory of the Nativity Fast of Simeon of Thessaloniki, the winter great fast of the prophet Moses gave him the opportunity to receive God's commandments. That is why at the present time, every person who sincerely fasts before Christmas will be able to comprehend God's wisdom through faith in Jesus Christ. At the same time, humility, an open heart, prayers and a clear conscience are considered the main human sacrifice during this period. But so think the theologians: the church and the philosophers. What about the scientists? After all, it is with the help of science in the modern world that one can confirm or disprove the existence of any postulate. And believe me, in this case, scientists have something to say.
From a medical point of view, the Advent and Easter fasts are considered quite reasonable. It is worth noting that the 40 days of the Phillip fast are considered the time when the human body is preparing for the winter of 2017, and its biorhythms begin to change against the backdrop of shortening daylight hours. Just during such a period, it is worth refraining from heavy food and excess activity. That is why it turns out that the rejection of certain types of food during this period is even considered useful for the general improvement of our body. 
What to cook for Christmas Lent 2017?
As it has already become clear, overstaying such a post is a purely individual matter, to which a person cannot be forced in any case. For example, some cannot afford this because of health problems, or some serious disorders in the body. In this case, the church does not consider it right to fast, while violating the general state of health. But this does not mean that you cannot try to find some more acceptable nutritional option for yourself, so that the body does not feel any discomfort. It is worth noting that during such a period you should not eat only something gray and tasteless: food should remain nutritious and desirable, although these are lenten dishes.
Advent post 2016-2017 food calendar
In order to more clearly understand what can be consumed during all 40 days of Advent and what is not, it is worth writing out a detailed menu by day.
Monday -
Tuesday -
Wednesday -
Thursday - you can eat vegetable food with the addition of oil, as well as fish and wine (pollock, marinated fish, fish soup, as well as apple, grape and rowan wine).
Friday - the whole day you can use only dry food (fruits, raw vegetables, honey, nuts, bread, dried fruits).
Saturday - you can eat vegetable food with the addition of oil, as well as fish and wine (pollock, marinated fish, fish soup, as well as apple, grape and rowan wine).
Sunday - you can eat vegetable food with the addition of oil, as well as fish and wine (pollock, marinated fish, fish soup, as well as apple, grape and rowan wine). 
Monday - you can eat boiled vegetable food that was prepared without oil (jelly, dumplings, rice, etc.).
Tuesday -
Wednesday - the whole day you can use only dry food (fruits, raw vegetables, honey, nuts, bread, dried fruits).
Thursday - in the daily diet, you can add vegetable food that was cooked in vegetable oil (tomato soup, potatoes with mushrooms, eggplant caviar, apple pie, falafel).
Friday - the whole day you can use only dry food (fruits, raw vegetables, honey, nuts, bread, dried fruits).
Saturday - you can eat vegetable food with the addition of oil, as well as fish and wine (pollock, marinated fish, fish soup, as well as apple, grape and rowan wine).
Sunday - you can eat vegetable food with the addition of oil, as well as fish and wine (pollock, marinated fish, fish soup, as well as apple, grape and rowan wine).
Monday - the whole day you can use only dry food (fruits, raw vegetables, honey, nuts, bread, dried fruits).
Tuesday - you can eat boiled vegetable food that was prepared without oil (jelly, dumplings, rice, etc.).
Wednesday - the whole day you can use only dry food (fruits, raw vegetables, honey, nuts, bread, dried fruits).
Thursday - you can eat boiled plant foods that were prepared without oil on the water (jelly, dumplings, rice, etc.).
Friday - the whole day you can use only dry food (fruits, raw vegetables, honey, nuts, bread, dried fruits).
Saturday - in the daily diet, you can add vegetable food that was cooked in vegetable oil (tomato soup, potatoes with mushrooms, eggplant caviar, apple pie, falafel).
Sunday - in the daily diet, you can add vegetable food that was cooked in vegetable oil (tomato soup, potatoes with mushrooms, eggplant caviar, apple pie, falafel).
January 6 - the strictest day of the entire Advent of 2017, so today you can’t eat until the first star appears in the sky. 
generally accepted rules
Usually, fish can be eaten on weekends, when a service for the repose is served in the church, and also add it to the diet on great holidays (Barbara, Andrei, Nicholas, Matthew, Catherine).
Oil is considered sacred oil, and wine is the blood of Christ, while fish is the main symbol of Christianity. Such dishes are not allowed to be consumed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
It is worth noting that modest food is not forbidden to be consumed during the selected period, while the very desire for gluttony is already a sin.
Of course, whether to fast or not is everyone’s business, and from any point of view, there are the most common reasons for this. But, as folk wisdom says, he does not want to fast out of good will, the time will come to fast out of unkindness.
The Nativity Fast also has a second name, Philip's Fast, it is directly related to the meeting of the name day of St. Philip, which falls on November 27th. Holy and bright Christmas fast prepares all Orthodox believers to meet a significant festive event Christmas. According to the new style, a bright holiday is celebrated on the 7th day in January, it is until this date that the holy restriction of believers lasts. The beginning of the Advent Lent never changes, the first date of restriction is set by the Orthodox religion for November 28. Menu for Christmas Post 2016.2018 for every daybe sure to tell you which dishes are recommended and allowed to be included in the daily Orthodox menu, and which products you need to categorically refuse.
The Advent fast is recognized as a strict long-term restriction. During its duration, it is important to completely refuse to eat animal products. In the same period, there are dates when it is allowed to feast on fish. These days are recognized as the dates when significant holy holidays are celebrated in Orthodoxy. Not only a strict dietary restriction must be adhered to by a believer during the duration of Philip's fast. It is very important to give up human passions and empty desires that fill the life of an ordinary person. Any fast gives the believer spiritual strength, it supplies him with an energy and physical charge, gives him self-confidence and effectively relieves mental anguish and various experiences of a nervous nature. After the sweat ends, the believer feels unprecedented lightness, he understands true unity with the Lord and feels his faithful and constant support.
What is allowed and what cannot be eaten during the duration of the fast?
From November 28, 2016 to January 6, 2018 Nativity Fast Filippov village t enters the homes and hearts of Orthodox believers. This restriction is considered less severe along with Lent. However, Filippova the restriction also has important foundations in nutrition, which are necessary for the fulfillment of Orthodox believers.
When does Orthodoxy begin?Christmas post in 2016-2018, menu for every daymust not contain products such as:
- meat dishes;
- various dairy products;
- eggs.
believers allowed to drink St. Cahors red church wine. You can drink a small glass of wine almost every evening, but drinking holy drink on Fridays is strictly prohibited. 
As for fish dishes,food calendar by day for the bright Christmas post 2016-2017allows you to eat such food on great festive Orthodox dates, as well as periods when martyrs are revered in the world. One of these bright celebrations is the Entry into the Orthodox Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, the celebration of Orthodoxy is celebrated on December 4th. Holiday dates can fall on almost any day of the week, but it is strictly forbidden to eat fish dishes on Wednesdays, as well as Fridays during the period that the action lasts. Philip's post. 
Nutrition calendar by day for Advent 2016.2018
The last of the Orthodox fasts of the year is Christmas. It is also called Philip's post. It starts on November 28 and lasts for forty days. Ends on January 6 on the eve of the Nativity of Christ. This post is pretty strict. In its complexity, it is not inferior to Petrov's post. The Christmas fast in 2018-2019 will help cleanse your body, exterminate sins that increase the frailty of the flesh, and renew spiritual unity with God. A nutrition calendar by day will be proposed in our article. He will help you to correctly compose the menu for all 40 days of fasting.
How to eat on Advent?
As for each post, and for Christmas there is a diet. At the time of its passage, you need to give up meat, eggs, dairy products (milk, butter, cheese).
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, you can not eat fish, and add vegetable oil to food. Wine and oil these days can be consumed only after Vespers.
On other days, eating with vegetable oil is allowed. Fish can be eaten on weekends and on major church holidays, for example, the Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos. You can also eat fish on church holidays and the days of the great saints, which fall on Tuesday and Thursday. From December 20 to 25, fasting is especially strict. Fishing is prohibited these days.
Fasting bodily without spiritual fasting will not bring salvation to the soul. Without prayers and repentance, fasting is just a diet.
Advent in 2018-2019: food calendar by day
| November 28 | Wed | |
| 29th of November | Thu. | Allowed to eat fish dishes |
| November 30th | Fri. | |
| the 1st of December | Sat. | |
| December 2nd | Sun. | |
| December 3 | Mon. | Hot food without oil. Lenten dishes are allowed (soups, cereals, mushrooms and stewed vegetables) without adding oil. |
| December 4 | Tue | |
| 5th of December | Wed | On this day, it is allowed to eat plant foods without adding oil (bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and nuts). |
| December 6 | Thu. | |
| December 7 | Fri. | On this day, you can eat plant foods without adding oil (bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and nuts). |
| December 8 | Sat. | Can cook fish dishes |
| 9th December | Sun. | Fish is allowed in boiled or baked form. |
| December 10 | Mon. | |
| December 11th | Tue | You can cook fish dishes. |
| 12 December | Wed | On this day, it is allowed to eat plant foods without adding oil (bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and nuts). |
| December 13th | Thu. | You are allowed to eat fish dishes. |
| December 14 | Fri. | On this day, it is allowed to eat plant foods without adding oil (bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and nuts). |
| December 15 | Sat. | Can cook fish dishes |
| December 16 | Sun. | Fish is allowed in boiled or baked form. |
| December 17 | Mon. | Hot food without oil. Lenten dishes are allowed (soups, cereals, mushrooms and stewed vegetables) without oil. |
| December 18 | Tue | Lean food with the addition of vegetable oil. |
| December 19th | Wed | On this day, it is allowed to eat plant foods without adding oil (bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and nuts). |
| December 20 | Thu. | Prepare lean meals by adding vegetable oil to them. Fish is prohibited. |
| 21 December | Fri. | On this day, you can eat plant foods without adding oil (bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and nuts). |
| December 22 | Sat. | Prepare lean meals by adding vegetable oil to them. You can eat fish. |
| December 23 | Sun. | You can cook any lean dishes with the addition of vegetable oil, there are fish dishes. |
| December 24 | Mon. | Hot food without oil. Lenten dishes are allowed (soups, cereals, mushrooms and stewed vegetables) without oil. |
| December 25 | Tue | Hot dishes with the addition of vegetable oil. |
| December 26 | Wed | |
| 27th of December | Thu. | Hot food with oil is allowed. |
| December 28th | Fri. | On this day, you can eat non-boiled food without adding oil (bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and nuts). |
| December 29th | Sat. | You can cook fish dishes. |
| December 30th | Sun. | Fish is allowed in boiled or baked form. |
| 31th of December | Mon. | Hot food without oil. Lenten dishes are allowed (soups, cereals, mushrooms and stewed vegetables) without oil. |
| 1st of January | Tue | Hot food without oil is allowed. |
| January 2 | Wed | On this day, it is allowed to eat raw food without adding oil (bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey and nuts). |
| January 3 | Thu. | You can cook lean hot dishes and add a little vegetable oil to them. |
| 4 January | Fri. | It is allowed to eat products of plant origin without heat treatment. |
| 5 January | Sat. | You can eat lean hot dishes with the addition of vegetable oil. |
| January 6 | Sun. | On this day, you can cook sochivo - a dish of wheat, rice or lentils soaked in water. Dishes from boiled and baked fish, kutya, uzvar are also relevant. |
Video: Christmas post
The total duration of fasting is 48 days. It begins on the Monday, seven weeks before Easter, and ends on the Saturday before the Easter holiday.
The first week of fasting is carried out with particular rigor. On the first day, complete abstinence from food is accepted. Then, from Tuesday to Friday, dry eating is allowed (they eat bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, honey, drink water), and on Saturday and Sunday - hot food with butter.
On the second to sixth weeks of Great Lent, dry eating is established on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, hot food without butter is allowed on Tuesday and Thursday, and hot food with butter on Saturday and Sunday.
During Holy Week (the last week of fasting), dry eating is prescribed, and on Friday you can’t eat until the shroud is taken out.
On the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos (April 7) (if it did not fall on Holy Week) and on Palm Sunday (the week before Easter), it is allowed to eat fish. On Lazarus Saturday (before Palm Sunday) you can eat fish caviar.
It starts on Monday on the 57th day after Easter (one week after Trinity), and always ends on July 11 (inclusive). In 2016, it lasts 15 days.
On Petrov fast on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, fish is allowed, on Monday - hot food without oil, and on Wednesday and Friday - dry eating.
On the feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7), you can eat fish (regardless of what day it falls on).
During the Dormition Fast on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, dry food is allowed, on Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, on Saturday and Sunday - hot food with oil.
On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), you can eat fish (regardless of what day it falls on).
In the period from November 28 to the feast of St. Nicholas (December 19 inclusive), hot food without oil is allowed on Monday, fish is allowed on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, dry food is allowed on Wednesday and Friday.
From December 20 to January 1 on Tuesday and Thursday it is already forbidden to eat fish, instead hot food with butter is allowed. The rest of the days remain unchanged.
From January 2 to 6, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, dry food is prescribed, on Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, on Saturday and Sunday - hot food with oil.
On Christmas Eve (January 6) one should not eat until the first star appears in the sky, after which it is customary to eat juicy - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins.
On the holidays of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple (December 4) and St. Nicholas (December 19), fish can be eaten on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.