My Husband and I joined the Byzantine Catholic Church in America, which is under the umbrella of Rome, as soon as we knew that we were to be married.  It was our great compromise between his Orthodox faith and my Roman Catholicism.  It may surprise some to know there are 22 Catholic rites under Rome.  The Eastern Churches usually have a cultural and ethnic tradition behind them.  The local parish we joined is Ruthenian, or Ukrainian origins (for more information).  Therefore the traditions we celebrate in our home are Ukrainian.  Even though we are not Ukrainian ethnically, it does not lessen the value of the Catholic Christian traditions we celebrate.  Over the years, I have come to know and have incorporated many beautiful Eastern traditions into our family’s faith practice.

The most transformative traditions are the four fasts before great feast days.  The four times of fasting during the liturgical year include the well-known 40 day fast during Lent (Great Fast to the East); Apostles Fast (timing and length varies) in the summer before the Feast of Apostles Peter and Paul; Dormition Fast (Assumption of Mary to Rome) 15 days before the Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Mother and Nativity Fast, 40 days before Christmas.  Many people, even Catholics accustomed to fasting, are caught off guard and think that we are some sort of zealots when we tell them we are in a time of fasting.  However, before every great feast there is a fast.  For what is a feast without first fasting?

Since we are soon entering Nativity Fast I reflect upon the traditions of the East and perhaps it is one that might be incorporated in the Western Church as well.  Most people are familiar with the 40 day Lenten Fast however, we are also obliged to participate in a 40 day fast before the Feast of Christmas in order that we might prepare and cleanse ourselves for Christ’s coming.  November 15 is the Feast of St. Philip and is precisely 40 days before Christmas and therefore the Nativity Fast is often also called St. Philip’s Fast (Philipovka in Ukraine).  The fast is one and half meals with no meat or animal product such as dairy or egg and any substitute (e.g. margarine, tofu) for these products on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  No substitutes are allowed, because if it is replaced with something faux, then it is not missed and one is not reminded to pray and change in the Lord.

Our priest reminds us that it is not the quantity of the fast, but the quality.  Your fasting ought to be full of prayer, scripture, reconciliation and Eucharist.  St. John Chrysostom said,

Let the hands fast, by being free from avarice.  Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.  Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.  Let the ears fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.  Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.  For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?

Our priest also reminds us that Advent is about self-denial, prayer and works of mercy.  Therefore during this season, we are not to be merry-making but we are entreated to give alms.  In the East, there is greater attention given the Feast of St. Nicholas.  St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra during the early fourth century.  He was known for his generosity.  One story tells of how he provided the dowry for three sisters by tossing bags of money through their window at night and it landed in their shoes.  This led to the tradition of putting coins and gifts into shoes on St. Nicholas feast.  St. Nicholas inspires us all to give more alms.  “Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:3,4).

Christmas Eve is the last day of Advent.  After a day of fasting, prayer and preparation for the impending holy day a meal is eaten called Holy Supper.  It is in remembrance of the hardships that Mary endured as she and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem.  The supper includes twelve meatless dishes (no meat, eggs, or dairy) that represent the twelve Apostles who gathered at the Last Supper.

Just before evening the table is set and hay spread on the table and on the floor to remind everyone that Christ was born in a stable.  Garlic is placed at the four corners of the table as a symbol of the health and strength of the family.  The centerpiece decoration is a round braided loaf of bread (sometimes three loaves stacked on top of each other) encircled with evergreen branches.  A white candle is placed in the center of the bread with a two white candles placed on either side of the loaf.  The loaf is known as a Kolach symbolizing prosperity and the decoration is left on the table for three days.  The central candle is left burning to symbolize the Holy Spirits presence (candle should be in a glass container).  The meatless dishes include: Kutya (cooked wheat with honey and ground poppy seeds), Borsch (or a beets dish) stuffed fish, cabbage rolls, pyrogis, cooked beans, sautéed mushroom, sauerkraut and peas, fruit compote, sweet poppy pastry, spiced honey cake, poppy bread (Twelve Meatless Dishes Recipes).

It is customary that all members of the family are home for the meal.  The children watch for the first star in the eastern sky symbolizing the star of Bethlehem and the commencement of the meal.  The ceremony is begun by the master of the household.  The master holds a few stalks of wheat from the last gathered harvest as a symbol of the gathering of the family.  The master places the stalks in a vase in the family’s prayer corner.  Then the table candles are lit and the meal is begun with the Lord’s Prayer.  The father then leads the thanksgiving grace and asks for health for his family and expressed hope that they would all be together the following year.  Each family member then eats one spoonful of Kutya.  Everyone is expected to have at least one small helping of each dish.

After the meal merriment may begin and nuts and chocolates are served.  Whatever your tradition, make this Advent season holy and charitable together with your family.

Renee is a Byzantine Eastern Catholic, stay-at-home mom of preschoolers, writing about her faith and family at Claytonopolis.

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