The Nativity Fast is a 40-day period of prayer, repentance, and spiritual preparation before the celebration of the Nativity of Christ (Christmas) in the Orthodox Church. It begins on November 15 and lasts until December 24 on the Revised Julian calendar(Gregorian) (celebrated as November 28 – January 6 on the Old Julian calendar).
During this time, Orthodox Christians traditionally abstain from meat and dairy products, while fish, wine, and oil are allowed on certain days until the stricter final days before Christmas. The Nativity Fast invites believers to focus not only on dietary discipline but also on prayer, charity, humility, and spiritual reflection as they prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. 
