Archbishop Sotirios of Canada calls the faithful to embrace the Nativity Fast as a time of preparation and purification for the birth of Christ. He emphasizes the spiritual depth of this holy season, urging Christians to “turn our hearts toward our Savior Christ, whom we are to welcome as He is born in our souls.”
Addressing the distractions of modern life, he laments that the world has “forgotten the depth and true meaning of Christ’s Nativity,” focusing instead on materialism and vanity. He reminds believers that “the Light of truth, Christ, is what brings peace and joy to the heart,” rather than worldly celebrations.
The Archbishop highlights the purpose of fasting as a means of spiritual struggle, calling it “not merely abstaining from food, but abstaining from sin.” True fasting, he explains, requires humility and repentance, enabling believers to cleanse their hearts and approach God in prayer.
He urges acts of forgiveness, almsgiving, and love during this season, encouraging the faithful to “become the living manger where Christ will be born.” He also invites participation in the Sarantaliturgo (Forty Liturgies) to unite with Christ and commemorate loved ones.
The Archbishop concludes with blessings for a fruitful Nativity Fast, praying that all may “live with Christ and walk with Him, now and unto the ages of ages.”
Read the full message by Archbishop Sotirios of Canada:
Archbishop Sotirios of Canada
Beloved in the Lord,
Once again, we enter the blessed period of the Nativity Fast, a time of preparation and purification. During this holy season, we are called to turn our hearts toward our Savior Christ, whom we are to welcome as He is born in our souls. Christ is born for each of us, bringing His eternal truth, a truth that shines as Light in the darkness of this troubled and deceptive age.
Yet, confusion reigns around us. Sadly, the world today has forgotten the depth and true meaning of Christ’s Nativity. Instead of preparing spiritually, it focuses on consumption, material celebrations, and vanity, things that can never fill the void in the human soul. My beloved Christians, the Light of truth, Christ, is what brings peace and joy to the heart, not the material decorations or the deceptive lights of worldly festivities.
The Church calls us to prepare for the coming of Christ not superficially, but with spiritual purity. This is the purpose of fasting. It is a means of spiritual struggle and return, through which we are called to re-examine the priorities of our lives. Above all, we are called to repent and cleanse our hearts of every impurity. Then to approach God with humility and prayer, bearing in mind, as the Lord reminds us that: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).
Fasting, my beloved, is not merely abstaining from food. It is, first and foremost, abstaining from sin. It is turning away from anything that distances us from God and His love. True fasting is practiced with humility – done in secret, not to be seen by others, but to purify and sanctify our hearts through God’s grace.
This year, during this blessed period of preparation for the Nativity of Christ, let us make our fasting a means to draw closer to and dedicate ourselves to Christ. Let us forgive those who have hurt or wronged us, and let us also seek forgiveness for our own transgressions. In doing so, Christ will find our souls clean and illuminated, ready to welcome Him. And as the Lord said, let us store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys (cf. Matt. 6:20), by offering almsgiving and love to our neighbor during this holy season.
During this joyful period, let us become, my beloved Christians, the living manger where Christ will be born. With faith and courage, let us take up our spiritual struggle. Let us welcome the Incarnate God with humility, joy, and love. Only then will we truly experience the magnificence of His Birth and radiate to those around us the Light of truth and salvation.
The forty-day fasting period is rich with feasts and Holy Services. Make an effort to attend church more frequently with your family. I remind you that our Theological Academy—and many other communities—are conducting the Sarantaliturgo (Forty Liturgies). Do not forget your loved ones. Attend the Divine Liturgies and submit the names of your loved ones to be commemorated in these forty Divine Liturgies. Unite yourselves with Christ and with your departed loved ones who now dwell in heaven.
From the depths of my heart, I wish you all a blessed and fruitful Nativity Fast, filled with the peace and joy of Christ. May we all be united with Christ. May we live with Him. May we walk with Him, now and unto the ages of ages.
With fatherly love and blessings,
ARCHBISHOP SOTIRIOS
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF CANADA
