Official Statement: On Nativity / Christmas Fast

 16 November 2022

Greetings.

Nativity fast is observed from Nov 15 to Dec 25, it is indeed observed by the Eastern Orthodox Church (and Catholic Church, as well).

To quote Wikipedia, a free source of information that I would encourage people to donate to, "The Nativity fast traditionally entails fasting from red meat, poultry, meat products, eggs, dairy products, fish, oil, and wine". Though; oil, fish, and wine are permitted on feast days that would occur during this period.

Maybe you want to join this fast, but you are not able to. Say; you are a student and you can barely afford to get the cheapest food, not even looking at the ingredients. Kindly do not starve yourself. Please eat, for Lord encourages education and health above wanting to follow food restrictions in fasts.

On top of all that, fasts are not about food. It is more about refraining from detrimental activities and replacing them with better habits. You can work more on helping others. I am not talking about donating excessive amounts like a businessman as a lot of us are not businessmen with a lot of money to spare. Do small things instead.

I understand that it is hard to "be better" because a lot of us don't know where to start. Below are a few suggestions:

A little thing would be to smile at people. Smile at one random person on the street.

Say "I like your shirt" to someone.

Text a random friend "Hey, I care about you, right?".

And, most important of all, exercise self-care. Do not tire yourself to the point of exhaustion, and do not dwell on past mistakes. Every human being indeed can change for the better, forgive yourself and approach yourself with kindness so that you can show others your full potential of love and care.

Remember that you matter. If thinking about yourself in a positive light is hard, then simply say this: "I may not be the best person on this earth, but I am not the worst either." Know that no one can replace you, and know your worth. Treat people with kindness, and treat yourself with the same kindness you show others.

Remember that Christmas time was chosen by people to end the fast on Christmas day. This is not a commandment in the Bible, but the Bible indeed mentions fasting and puts some rules as fasting has been an action carried out by religious people who want to try it out to bring themselves closer to spirituality.

You can choose other ways to feel that sense of spirituality, such as reading the Bible from cover to cover and doing kindness on your own.

Don't worry if you really want to observe a fast but you cannot do it at this time of the year. You can always set up other fast dates for yourself and ask Lord to accept your intentions. Lord is merciful.

Matt 6:16-18 reminds us:

16 “When you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, they have their reward!
17 When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 so that it will not be obvious to others when you are fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.


My sincere wishes,

The Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus, His Beatitude,

Karolos Yarakios.

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