Sunday is last day before Christmas Fast

This Sunday is the last day when meat is allowed before the Nativity or Christmas Fast begins on Monday, as per the old-style Julian calendar, which is the one followed by the Moldovan Orthodox Church. The fast will last until old-style Christmas on January 7. Fr. Eugen Onicov of St. Pantelimon Church recalled that during this 40-day fast Christians should abstain from animal-origin and other prohibited foods and drinks. But unlike Lent, which is the fast preceding Easter, believers are allowed to have fish, oil and wine on Saturdays, Sundays and religious feasts. While the Church calls on all believers to be always righteous and devout, during fasts believers should pray even more, as abstinence from food should facilitate atonement and spiritual purification, says Fr. Eugen. Believers may commune after just one day of fasting, but it is advised to fast at least one week before receiving the Eucharist. There are four major fasts that a Christian Orthodox should follow over the year: Lent, the Nativity Fast, the Fast of Saint Mary and the Fast of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul.