When Christmas Post 2015-2016 begins and ends. Christmas calendar and menu by day

The tradition of fasting before Christmas arose inof antiquity. About it in the IV century of our era mentioned blessed Augustine, Saint Ambrose of Mediodalan, Filistratus and others, no less significant adherents and associates of early Christianity.

First, in the calendar of the Christmasthe precise number of days necessary for abstinence from entertainment and worldly food was indicated. Some believers observed a strict diet for 14 days, others - only a week, others were limited to 2-3 days. Only in 1166 on one of the cathedrals it was decided that from now on Christians will fast for 40 days right up to Christmas.

When the Christmas Eve 2015-2016 begins and ends

Christmas post is the last many daysa period in the year when believers confine themselves to eating, drinking and entertainment for the sake of renewing the soul and union with God. It begins on November 28 (November 15, according to the old style) and continues on January 6 inclusive (December 24). According to the traditional church statute, this time is called the Pentecost or Phillip fast, since the day of blessed memory falls on the day of the blessed memory of the apostle Phillip.

Meals on days in the Christmas

When the fasting period begins, the believers are required to completely change the customary menu and give up eggs, meat and dairy products. Meals on days of the week are distributed as follows:

on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are allowed to use hot vegetable soups on the water, cereal cereals with vegetable oil dressing, lean cabbage rolls, dumplings and fruit cakes;

on Wednesday and Friday is not allowed to eat dishes,prepared on water or any other liquid. You can eat only baked, raw or dried fruits, berries and vegetables, salted mushrooms, homemade sauerkraut, nuts, coarse bread, sunflower seeds and honey;

on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on allchurch holidays, regardless of the day of the week on which they fell out, in addition to hot food and vegetable oil, fish and even small amounts of light wine are allowed.

Is it possible to marry a Christmas post?

If the wedding wants to play as quickly as possible,no posts or other restrictions will not prevent you from going to the Palace of Marriages. But when the young men want to make a vow in front of God, they will have to wait. According to the canons of the Orthodox Church, during many days of fasting, weddings are not held.