According to the ortodox church calendar, November 15th marks the first day of the Advent fastening. The 40 days before Christmas are a time of prayers, repentance and forgiveness. During the period to December 24th, the Church Law does not allow the consumption of animal based foods. Meat, milk, cheese, yellow cheese, eggs are forbidden. Wine and vegetable oil are forbidden on Wednesday and Friday. On Nikulden – December 6th – wine and fish are allowed.

The strict Advent fastening is traditional for the orthodox christians. The catholic church forbids meat consumption only on Fridays, and the protestant church denounces fastening altogether.