The Orthodox Church of Ukraine has announced the beginning of the Christmas fast, which will last 40 days until Christmas Eve on December 24.
“From tomorrow, an important period in the life of Orthodox Christians begins – the Christmas fast, during which we will purify our souls and prepare for meeting the Nativity of Christ,” reads the address posted on the OCU Facebook page.
The Church calls on believers to spend the fasting period in prayer, repentance, and good deeds in order to meet Christmas with dignity. It is emphasized that fasting should be primarily about a spiritual cleansing.
“Let’s remember that fasting is the period of the first spiritual purification, and that food restrictions without sincere prayer and repentance will not bring the desired spiritual benefit,” the OCU emphasizes.
The following is the full text of the address:
Dear brothers and sisters, from tomorrow, an important period in the life of Orthodox Christians begins – the Christmas fast, during which we will cleanse our souls and prepare for the meeting of the Nativity of Christ.
Fasting will last 40 days until Christmas Eve, which this year we will celebrate for the first time according to the Revised Julian calendar, on December 24.
Let’s remember that fasting is the period of the first spiritual purification, and that food restrictions without sincere prayer and repentance will not bring the desired spiritual benefit. Saint John Chrysostom teaches us: “Do not tell me that you fasted for so many days, did not eat this or that, did not drink wine or experienced impurity, but show me whether you became meek after being angry, or became merciful after being cruel before, for if you are drunk with anger, why do you oppress your flesh? If there is envy and selfishness inside, then what is the use of drinking water? Now I’m not looking not for any specific meal, but whether there has been a change in the evil direction of thoughts.”
So let’s spend this time in prayers and repentance, doing works of mercy, in order to meet the Christmas of our Lord Jesus Christ renewed and improved, to preserve our spiritual gains and possessions even after it, multiply them, and inspire others with our example.
