Write a message religious holidays in January
home Orthodox wisdom says: “Nothing comes without labor, even a holiday. It takes a lot of work to prepare for it properly.” Orthodox holidays
in January 2017 they begin, as every year, with the Nativity of Christ. What follows is a whole series of significant days for Christianity.
What do Orthodox Christians celebrate in January 2017 In Russia, as in everything Orthodox world
, January is one of the busiest months with holidays. Those who strictly honor church traditions know that almost every day of January is dedicated to some event in the history of this Christian movement. The most significant ones, the dates of which have remained unchanged for two thousand years:
The first date, which occurs after the first week of the month, coincides with the birth of Jesus, and ends one of the strictest fasts. This is the day when you cannot work categorically, and those who violate this canon commit a great sin. Continue church holidays
- January 2017 cheerful and satisfying Christmastide. They are also significant because they intertwine Orthodox and pagan Slavic traditions:
- fortune telling,
- caroling,
games and fun.
Orthodoxy does not welcome attempts to look into the future, but pagan traditions and rituals turned out to be stronger than the canons of the church. During Christmas time, girls try to see their groom, find out his name and the date when they will get married. Married women, with the help of various rituals, determine what the harvest and wealth of the family will be. The calendar of significant dates in January continues with the Circumcision of the Lord. This date is celebrated, as a rule, by Jews, but also in Orthodox churches
On this day, solemn chants and services are held.
- But January 19 is a special day for Christians. The ceremonial services, rituals and rules of this date are strictly observed. Bathing at Epiphany brings cleansing, both physical and spiritual, and makes it possible to become closer to Christ. Water collected in an illuminated font is endowed with Orthodox miraculous qualities. Moreover, not only signs and legends confirm this, but also the very fact that water does not spoil for a very long time. In addition to the listed holidays, in January Orthodox Christians celebrate
- January 6 – Forever (Christmas Eve),
- January 17 is the day of St. Theoktistus,
- January 18 – Epiphany,
January 18, according to the canons of Orthodoxy, is a fast day. Throughout the day, Christians prepare for one of the great holidays. Rules and traditions allow eating on this day only pea kutia or a special dish called “sochivo” - boiled wheat grains seasoned with raisins and honey. Meat and butter dishes were not prepared or eaten on Epiphany Eve. Unfortunately, modern Christians often forget about this tradition.
Meat eater in January 2017
In addition to the canonical solemn dates, there is a special church holiday that Christians celebrate in January. From January 20, the so-called “meat eating” will begin, which completely lifts the ban on eating meat dishes.
There are no rituals, signs or rules, as such, specially dedicated to this date in Orthodoxy, but the interweaving of pagan and Christian traditions has endowed it with some features. In January (winter), meat eaters prepare fatty foods from pork, lamb, butter and vegetable oil, supplementing it with dairy products. But, as in all Orthodox customs, there are restrictions - Wednesday and Friday are fish days. This canon, by the way, was also used in Soviet traditions - a universal fish day at all points Catering(factory, school, sick leave and others).
How Orthodox Christians have fun in winter
Except church traditions, which are for every day of holidays, there are also folk ones. IN Russian traditions The celebrations clearly have Slavic-pagan roots. If in Catholicism there are very few noisy fun and popular rituals, then Russia is famous for them:
- round dances,
- snow fights,
- sliding downhill,
- processions of carolers,
- fortune telling rituals.
Orthodox Christians are characterized by a spirit of unity, a desire to rejoice with everyone together. Treat each other and delight each other with performances. Many rituals have changed, time and new technologies have left their mark on them, but their essence has remained unchanged - unity with the Lord and one’s neighbors.
Christians all over the world are looking forward to the coming of January, because it is in this month that Christmas comes - a great holiday revered by all Orthodox Christians.
To believe in God, you don’t have to go to church, but at the same time, you must know and remember the list of holidays that fall on a particular month. Find out which Church holidays in January 2017, you can from the detailed Orthodox calendar presented below.
Orthodox holidays in January 2017
January 1, 2017 (Sunday)
- Memorial Day of Ilya of Murom (Ilya the Wonderworker).
- The week before Christmas.
- Memorial Day of the Martyr Boniface of Tarsus.
- The Nativity Fast is underway.
January 2, 2017 (Monday)
- Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer.
- The Nativity Fast is underway.
January 3, 2017 (Tuesday)
- Glorification of the great martyr Juliana.
- Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ.
- The Repose of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Wonderworker.
- The Nativity Fast is underway.
January 4, 2017 (Wednesday)
- Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ.
- Great Martyr Anastasia the Pattern Maker.
- The Nativity Fast is underway.
January 5, 2017 (Thursday)
- Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ.
- Day of remembrance of the Hieromartyr Basil and the Reverend Martyrs Macarius and John.
- Ten Cretan martyrs.
January 6, 2017 (Friday)
- The Eve of the Nativity of Christ (Christmas Eve).
- Memorial Day of the Venerable Martyr Eugenia and others like her.
- It's coming.
January 7, 2017 (Saturday)
- Nativity
- Christmastide
- Worship of the holy Magi: Melchior, Gaspar and Belshazzar.
January 8, 2017 (Sunday)
- Cathedral Holy Mother of God.
- Christmas time.
January 9, 2017 (Monday)
- Apostle of the First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen.
- Christmas time.
January 10, 2017 (Tuesday)
- Memorial Day for 20,000 martyrs who suffered in Nicomedia.
- Christmas time.
January 11, 2017 (Wednesday)
- 14,000 infant martyrs, killed by Herod in Bethlehem.
- Faithful Joseph the Betrothed, King David and Jacob, brother of the Lord.
- Christmas time.
January 12, 2017 (Thursday)
- Saint Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow.
- Christmas time.
January 13, 2017 (Friday)
- Celebration of the Nativity of Christ.
- Memorial Day of the Venerable Melania the Roman.
- Christmas time.
January 14, 2017 (Saturday)
- Circumcision of the Lord.
- Day of St. Basil the Great.
- Saturday before Epiphany.
- Christmas time.
January 15, 2017 (Sunday)
- Forefeast of Epiphany.
- Repose, second discovery of relics St. Seraphim, Sarov miracle worker.
- Christmastide
January 16, 2017 (Monday)
- Forefeast of Epiphany
- Memorial Day of the Holy Prophet Malachi. They predicted the appearance of the Savior, the Forerunner and the Last Judgment.
- Christmas time.
January 17, 2017 (Tuesday)
- Forefeast of Epiphany.
- Council of the 70 Apostles.
- Christmas time.
January 18, 2017 (Wednesday)
- The Eve of Epiphany (on the eve of Epiphany).
- Strict fasting should be observed on this day.
- Hieromartyr Theopemptos, Bishop of Nicomedia, and Martyr Theona the Magus.
January 19, 2017 (Thursday)
- Holy Epiphany. Baptism of the Lord (Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ).
January 20, 2017 (Friday)
- Council of the honest and glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John.
- Fast day.
January 21, 2017 (Saturday)
- Venerable Gregory, Wonderworker of Pechersk
- Memorial Day of Saints George Khozevit and Emilian the Confessor.
- Saturday after Epiphany.
January 22, 2017 (Sunday)
- Saint Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, miracle worker.
January 23, 2017 (Monday)
- Saint Theophan, the Recluse of Vyshensky.
- Venerable Paul of Komel (Obnorsky).
January 24, 2017 (Tuesday)
- Venerable Theodosius the Great, director of the general lives.
- Reverend Michael of Klopsky, Novgorod.
January 25, 2017 (Wednesday)
- Tatiana's Day is the day of the holy martyr Tatiana, who suffered for her faith.
- Saint Sava, Archbishop of Serbia.
- Fast day.
January 26, 2017 (Thursday)
- Day of Remembrance of the Martyrs Ermilus and Stratonikos.
January 27, 2017 (Friday)
- Celebration of the Feast of Epiphany.
- Day of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, enlightener of Georgia.
- Fast day.
January 28, 2017 (Saturday)
- Reverends Paul of Thebes and John Kushchnik.
January 29, 2017 (Sunday)
- Worship of the chains that bound the Apostle Paul.
January 30, 2017 (Monday)
- Worship of the first desert dweller and monk Anthony the Great.
January 31, 2017 (Tuesday)
- Saints Athanasius and Cyril, Archbishops of Alexandria.
- Reverend Schemamonk Cyril and Schemanun Maria, parents of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
In addition to church celebrations in January, there are fast days, which are also respected, honored and remembered by all believers. On such days, they deprive themselves of various foods, eating only those foods that the church allows.
Fast days in January 2017
- Multi-day fast in January 2017 - The Christmas fast (multi-day) will begin on November 28, 2016 and end only on January 6, 2017.
- One-day posts in January 2017 - January 18, January 20, January 25 and January 27.
- During the period from January 7 to January 17, there are no one-day fasts, since Christmastide is celebrated on these days
We've sorted out the list of holidays that fall in January. Now I’ve come to talk about the most important and most valuable days in the second winter month, which should be given special attention.
Nativity
At Christmas, the souls and hearts of Christians are filled with light, love and happiness. On this day the Savior, Jesus Christ, was born, so everyone who honors and respects his laws should celebrate the holiday with dignity. At Christmas, it is customary to wish each other well, all kinds of prosperity and, of course, health. Many songs written specifically for this winter celebration praise the Lord, the Mother of God and Christ himself.
On Holy Evening, it is customary to visit each other, take the Holy Supper and treat the host and hostess to it. On this day, children go from house to house and sing carols, sing songs, and recite poems.
Christmas is also famous for fortune-telling, which, as a rule, come true. From time immemorial, girls have performed Christmas fortune-telling to determine their fate, find out about their lover and find answers to a number of other questions.
Circumcision of the Lord
After birth, on the eighth day, Jesus Christ accepted Circumcision - this was done with all newborn male babies. This holiday is also extremely important for the Orthodox Church.
January 14 is still familiar to all of us as Old New Year. On this day, it is customary to say goodbye to everything that happened last year and hope for the best in the future. There is a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation.
From January 13 to 14, men come to the house of their relatives, friends or just neighbors to “sow” special cereals and wish them all the best and health.
Epiphany or Holy Epiphany
As the Gospel says, John the Baptist, a mere mortal who led one of the Jewish sects, performed a great sacred act during his lifetime - he baptized the thirty-year-old Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.
During the baptism, a bright white light suddenly flashed and the Holy Spirit descended to earth in the form of a snow-white dove. And a loud voice came from heaven - it was the Lord himself speaking. He told that Jesus was his son and that his blessing lived in him. This holiday symbolizes the appearance of the Holy Trinity: God, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, who descended to people in the form of a white dove.
After his baptism, Christ received an incredible gift and used it to benefit others.
Throughout the history of its existence, the Feast of Epiphany has acquired many traditions, rituals and signs. Perhaps the most important and ancient tradition is swimming in an ice hole. For a long time, people went to the pond to swim in the icy water, wash away all their sins and gain health for the whole year. It was believed that on this day water is charged with energy and can cure all kinds of diseases.
Tatyana's Day
Every saint bears special meaning for the Orthodox Church. These people were elevated to the ranks of saints for a certain great deed, so they are remembered to this day.
On February 25, the church “gave” it to the Holy Great Martyr Tatiana (Titiana). She grew up and studied in the family of a noble Roman dignitary who secretly preached Christianity. The growing love for the Almighty gave Titiana the strength to do good throughout the entire earth. The young girl did not even want to get married, but devoted herself entirely to serving the church.
During the persecution to which Christians were subjected, they wanted to sacrifice the Holy Great Martyr Titiana to a pagan idol. But the woman’s faith did not shake; for this, Emperor Alexander Severus gave the order to torture Titiana. During such bullying, the martyr did not betray her God and was faithful to him until her last breath.
By the way, Titiana is considered the patroness of students, so January 25 is also familiar to us as Student’s Day.
Fixed part church calendar- This Julian calendar, diverging by 13 days from the Gregorian. These holidays fall on the same day of the same month every year.
The moving part of the church calendar moves along with the date of Easter, which changes from year to year. The date of Easter celebration itself is determined according to lunar calendar and a number of additional dogmatic factors (not to celebrate Passover with the Jews, to celebrate Passover only after spring equinox, celebrate Easter only after the first spring full moon). All holidays with variable dates are counted from Easter and move in time on the “secular” calendar along with it.
Thus, both parts of the Easter calendar (movable and fixed) together determine the calendar of Orthodox holidays.
Below are the most significant ones for Orthodox Christian events - the so-called Twelfth Holidays and Great Holidays. Although the Orthodox Church celebrates holidays according to the “old style”, which differs by 13 days, the dates in the Calendar, for convenience, are indicated according to the generally accepted secular calendar of the new style.
Orthodox calendar for 2017:
Permanent holidays:07.01 - Nativity of Christ (twelfth)
14.01 - Circumcision of the Lord (great)
19.01 - Epiphany of the Lord (twelfth)
15.02 - Presentation of the Lord (twelfth)
07.04 - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
21.05 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
22.05 - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker
07.07 - Nativity of John the Baptist (great)
12.07 - Holy First. apostles Peter and Paul (great)
19.08 - Transfiguration of the Lord (twelfth)
28.08 - Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
11.09 - Beheading of John the Baptist (great)
21.09 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
27.09 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross (twelfth)
09.10 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
14.10 - Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (great)
04.12 - Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
19.12 - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker
Days special commemoration deceased
02/18/2017 - Ecumenical parent's Saturday(Saturday before week o Last Judgment)
03/11/2017 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent
03/18/2017 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent
03/25/2017 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 4th week of Lent
04/25/2017 - Radonitsa (Tuesday of the 2nd week of Easter)
05/09/2017 - Commemoration of deceased soldiers
06/03/2017 - Trinity Parents' Saturday (Saturday before Trinity)
10/28/2017 - Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday (Saturday before November 8)
ABOUT ORTHODOX HOLIDAYS:
TWELVETH HOLIDAYS
In worship Orthodox Church twelve great holidays of the annual liturgical circle (except Easter). Divided into The Lord's, dedicated to Jesus Christ, and the Theotokos, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
According to the time of celebration, the twelfth holidays are divided into motionless(non-transient) and movable(transitionable). The former are constantly celebrated on the same dates of the month, the latter fall on different dates every year, depending on the date of celebration Easter.
ABOUT MEAL ON HOLIDAYS:
According to the Church Charter on holidays Nativity of Christ And Epiphanies, happened on Wednesday and Friday, there is no post.
IN Christmas And Epiphany Christmas Eve and on holidays Exaltation of the Holy Cross And Beheading of John the Baptist Food with vegetable oil is allowed.
On the feasts of the Presentation, Transfiguration of the Lord, Dormition, Nativity and Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Theologian, which occurred on Wednesday and Friday, as well as in the period from Easter before Trinity Fish is allowed on Wednesday and Friday.
ABOUT FASTS IN ORTHODOXY:
Fast- a form of religious asceticism, the exercise of spirit, soul and body on the path to salvation within the framework of a religious view; voluntary self-restraint in food, entertainment, communication with the world. Corporal fasting- food restriction; sincere post- limitation of external impressions and pleasures (solitude, silence, prayerful concentration); spiritual fast- struggle with one’s “bodily lusts”, a period of especially intense prayer.
The most important thing is to realize that physical fasting without spiritual fasting brings nothing to the salvation of the soul. On the contrary, it can be spiritually harmful if a person, abstaining from food, becomes imbued with the consciousness of his own superiority and righteousness. “He who believes that fasting only means abstaining from food is mistaken. True fasting “, - teaches St. John Chrysostom, “is removal from evil, curbing the tongue, putting aside anger, taming lusts, stopping slander, lies and perjury.” Fast- not a goal, but a means to distract yourself from enjoying your body, concentrate and think about your soul; without all this, it becomes just a diet.
Great Lent, Holy Pentecost(Greek Tessarakoste; Lat. Quadragesima) - the period of the liturgical year preceding Holy Week And Easter holiday, the most important of the multi-day fasts. Due to Easter may fall on different, calendar numbers Lent also every year starts at different days . It includes 6 weeks, or 40 days, which is why it is also called.
Fast St. Pentecostal- This For Orthodox man a set of good deeds, sincere prayer, abstinence in everything, including food. Physical fasting is necessary to perform spiritual and mental fasting; all of them in their combination form the post is true, promoting the spiritual reunification of those who fast with God. IN days of fasting(days of fasting) the Church Charter prohibits modest food - meat and dairy products; Fish is allowed only on certain fasting days. IN
days of strict fasting installed as a sign that Christ was betrayed by Judas on Wednesday and crucified on Friday. Saint Athanasius the Great said: “By allowing meat to be eaten on Wednesday and Friday, this man crucifies the Lord.” During the summer and autumn meat-eaters (periods between the Petrov and Uspensky fasts and between the Uspensky and Rozhdestvensky fasts), Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting. During winter and spring meat-eaters (from Christmas to Lent and from Easter to Trinity), the Charter allows fish on Wednesday and Friday. Fish on Wednesday and Friday is also permitted when the holidays of the Presentation of the Lord, the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Temple, the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the Apostle John the Theologian fall on these days. If the holidays of the Nativity of Christ and Epiphany fall on Wednesday and Friday, then fasting on these days is canceled. On the eve (eve, Christmas Eve) of the Nativity of Christ (usually a day of strict fasting), which happens on Saturday or Sunday, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
Solid weeks(in Church Slavonic, a week is called a week - days from Monday to Sunday) means the absence of fasting on Wednesday and Friday. Established by the Church as a relaxation before a multi-day fast or as a rest after it. The continuous weeks are as follows:
1. Christmas time - from January 7 to January 18 (11 days), from Christmas to Epiphany.
2. The Publican and the Pharisee - two weeks before Great Lent.
3. Cheese - the week before Lent (eggs, fish and dairy are allowed throughout the week, but without meat).
4. Easter (Light) - week after Easter.
5. Trinity - the week after Trinity (the week before Peter's Fast).
One-day posts except Wednesday and Friday (days of strict fasting, no fish, but food with vegetable oil is allowed):
1. Epiphany Eve (Epiphany Eve) January 18, the day before the feast of the Epiphany. On this day, believers prepare themselves to accept the great shrine - Agiasma - Epiphany Holy Water, for purification and sanctification with it at the upcoming holiday.
2. Beheading of John the Baptist - September 11. On this day, a fast was established in memory of the abstinent life of the great prophet John and his lawless murder by Herod.
3. Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27. This day reminds us of the sad event on Golgotha, when “for our salvation” the Savior of the human race suffered on the Cross. And therefore this day must be spent in prayer, fasting, contrition for sins, in a feeling of repentance.
MULTI-DAY POSTS:
1. Great Lent or Holy Pentecost.
It begins seven weeks before the holiday of Holy Easter and consists of Lent (forty days) and Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter). Pentecost was established in honor of the forty-day fast of the Savior Himself, and Holy Week - in remembrance last days earthly life, suffering, death and burial of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The total continuation of Great Lent along with Holy Week is 48 days. The days from the Nativity of Christ to Lent (until Maslenitsa) are called Christmas or winter meat-eater. This period contains three continuous weeks - Christmastide, Publican and Pharisee, Maslenitsa
. After Christmastide, fish is allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays, until the whole week (when you can eat meat on all days of the week), which comes after the “Week of the Publican and the Pharisee” (“week” in Church Slavonic means “Sunday”). In the next week, after the full week, fish is no longer allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but vegetable oil is still allowed. Monday - food with butter, Wednesday, Friday - cold food without butter. This establishment has the purpose of gradual preparation for Great Lent. The last time before Lent, meat is allowed on the “Meat Eating Week” - the Sunday before Maslenitsa. Next week - cheese week (Maslenitsa) Eggs, fish, and dairy products are allowed all week, but they no longer eat meat. Get started for Lent ( last time
It is customary to observe the first and Holy Weeks of Great Lent with particular strictness. On Monday of the first week of Lent (Clean Monday), the highest degree of fasting is established - complete abstinence from food (pious laymen with ascetic experience abstain from food on Tuesday as well). During the remaining weeks of fasting: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - cold food without oil, Tuesday, Thursday - hot food without oil (vegetables, cereals, mushrooms), on Saturday and Sunday vegetable oil is allowed and, if necessary for health, a little pure grape wine (but in no case vodka). If the memory of a great saint occurs (with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before), then on Tuesday and Thursday - food with vegetable oil, Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot food without oil. You can find out about the holidays in the Typikon or the Followed Psalter. Fish is allowed twice during the entire fast: on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (if the holiday does not fall on Holy Week) and on Palm Sunday, on Lazarus Saturday (the Saturday before Palm Sunday) fish caviar is allowed, on Friday of Holy Week it is customary not to eat any food until it is taken out shrouds (our ancestors in Good Friday did not eat at all).
Bright Week(the week after Easter) - continuous - fasting is allowed on all days of the week. Starting from the next week after the continuous week until Trinity (spring meat-eater), fish is allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays. The week between Trinity and Peter's Fast is continuous.
2. Petrov or Apostolic Fast.
Fasting begins a week after the feast of the Holy Trinity and ends on July 12, the day of the celebration of the memory of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. It was established in honor of the holy apostles and in remembrance of the fact that the holy apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, dispersed throughout all countries with good news, always being in the feat of fasting and prayer. The duration of this post is different years varies and depends on the day of Easter celebration. The shortest fast lasts 8 days, the longest - 6 weeks. Fish is allowed during this fast, except on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Monday - hot food without oil, Wednesday and Friday - strict fasting (cold food without oil). On other days - fish, cereals, mushroom dishes
In the period from the end of Peter's fast to the beginning of the Assumption fast (summer meat-eater), Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting. But if these days fall on the feasts of a great saint with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before, then food with vegetable oil is allowed. If temple holidays occur on Wednesday and Friday, then fish is also allowed.
3. Assumption Fast (from August 14 to August 27).
Erected in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Herself Mother of God, preparing to leave for eternal life, constantly fasted and prayed. We, the spiritually infirm and weak, should all the more resort to fasting as often as possible, turning to Holy Virgin for help in every need and sorrow.
This fast lasts only two weeks, but its severity is consistent with the Great One.
Fish is allowed only on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), and if the end of the fast (Assumption) falls on Wednesday or Friday, then this day is also a fish day. Monday, Wednesday, Friday - cold food without oil, Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, Saturday and Sunday - food with vegetable oil. Wine is prohibited on all days. If the memory of a great saint happens, then on Tuesday and Thursday - hot food with butter, Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot food without butter.
This fast was established on the day of the Nativity of Christ, so that we could cleanse ourselves at this time with repentance, prayer and fasting and with a pure heart we would meet the Savior who appeared in the world. Sometimes this fast is called Philippov, as a sign that it begins after the day of celebration of the memory of the Apostle Philip (November 27). The regulations regarding food during this Lent coincide with the regulations of Petrov's Fast until St. Nicholas Day (December 19). If the feasts of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 4) and St. Nicholas fall on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, then fish is allowed. From the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas until the pre-festival of Christmas, which begins on January 2, fish is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday. On the pre-celebration of the Nativity of Christ, fasting is observed in the same way as during the days of Great Lent: fish is prohibited on all days, food with butter is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday. On Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve), January 6, pious custom requires not to eat food until the appearance of the first evening star, after which it is customary to eat kolivo or sochivo - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins; in some areas sochivo is called boiled dry fruits with sugar. The name of this day comes from the word “sochivo” - Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is also before the feast of the Epiphany. On this day (January 18), it is also customary not to eat food until taking Agiasma - Epiphany holy water, which begins to be blessed on the very day of Christmas Eve.