Tag: fish

“Little Lent”, the 40-day Nativity Fast begins on Friday for Orthodox following the Revised Julian (New) Calendar. The Nativity Fast is also known as St Philip's Fast because it begins the day after his feast day (Nov 14). It is not as strict as the Lenten Fast before Pascha.

Forty days till Christmas, Nativity Fast begins

The **Nativity Fast**, one of the four main fasting periods in the Orthodox Church, begins on **November 15** and ends on **December 24**, leading up to the celebration of the **Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ** on **December 25**. This period invites faithful Christians to prepare spiritually for the joyous occasion of Christ’s birth. It is a time of reflection on the mystery of the **Incarnation**, when God became flesh. As part of this preparation, the Church calls on believers to engage in fasting, embracing the discomfort and sacrifice it brings, as a means of drawing closer to Christ in anticipation of His coming.

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Greek Port City Declares State of Emergency Due to Dead Fish Inundation

The central Greek port city of Volos has declared a state of emergency due to an overwhelming influx of dead fish, raising concerns among local residents about the potential threat to their livelihoods. In response, authorities are deploying resources to expedite cleanup efforts along the Pagasetic Gulf and rivers. This marks the second environmental crisis for Volos following last year’s catastrophic floods in the Thessaly region.

med

Mediterranean Diet Linked to Improved IVF Success, Greek Study Finds

A new study published in *Nutrients* suggests that the Mediterranean diet may significantly enhance success rates for women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Researchers from Athens found that higher adherence to this diet was associated with increased clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. The diet, known for its health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and reduced inflammation, appears to positively impact fertility outcomes, although further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the effects on different age groups.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday Traditions

“Every year for as long as I can remember, Palm Sunday was of great importance to my family. With bay leaves and palm crosses in our hands at our local church we proclaim our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and our readiness and willingness to follow Him in every prayer and sacrament, in every act of love, kindness and mercy. And after the liturgy my mother and I always put on a delicious seafood lunch at home for our family.”