Orthodox Christians who follow the Gregorian calendar todays started the Advent or Nativity Fast that marks the beginning of a season of preparation that looks forward to the celebration of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. It runs for 40 days and ends on January 6 (December 24 on the Julian calendar), before the Nativity of Jesus, IPN reports.

Priest Andrei Pârgaru, of Saint Great Martyr Dumitru Church of Chetrosu village, has told IPN that fasting in this period is recommended to all the Christians. It may seem that there are not many fruit and vegetables now, but there are yet apples and walnuts. The fasting rules permit eating fish on religious holidays and on Saturday and Sunday.

The priest noted that bedsides the food aspect, there is also the moral and spiritual aspects that should not be ignored, especially because it is the end of the year and everyone sums up the results. “We hope and pray to have a better year, without epidemics and wars. I think the Moldovan people should kneel down more often and should fast,” said Andrei Pârgaru.

“The last fasting week is hasher, but it is important to stand by the dear ones,” stated the priest.

The faithful who want to take communion can do it every weekend and on religious holidays, when services are held.

There are four fasting periods during the year, namely Great Lent, the Apostles’ Fast, the Nativity Fast and the Dormition Fast.