The Nativity Fast, practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, is believed to enable participants to draw closer to God by denying the body of worldly pleasure in preparation for celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is held on December 25th (Julian Calendar). Although the fast influences the body, the emphasis is placed on the spiritual facet of the fast rather than physical deprivation. Nativity is the general time and place of a persons birth and early years. ... Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from all food and in some cases drink, for a period of time. ... The Vladimir Icon, one of the most venerated of Orthodox Christian icons of Mary. ... The term God is used to designate a Supreme Being, however, there are countless definitions of God. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The Julian calendar was introduced in 46 BC by Julius Caesar and took force in 45 BC (709 ab urbe condita). ...

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the fast goes from November 15th to December 24th and is traditionally from red meat, poultry, meat products, eggs, dairy products, fish, oil, and wine; where fish is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays, and oil and wine are allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There has been some ambiguity about the restriction of fish, whether it means the allowance of invertebrate fish or all fish. More detailed guidelines vary, but the rules strictly state that from the 20th of December to the 24th of December, no fish may be eaten. On December 25th, the Afterfeast of the Nativity of Christ to Theophany Eve begins, which declares the time period from December 25th to January 4th fast-free. Red meat refers to meat that appears red before cooking. ... Duck amongst other poultry The Poultry-dealer, after Cesare Vecellio. ... Dairy farm near Oxford, New York, July 2001 In many northern-hemisphere countries a dairy is a facility for the extraction and processing of animal milk (mostly from cows, sometimes from buffaloes, sheep or goats) for human consumption. ... Invertebrate is a term coined by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck to describe any animal without a spinal column. ...