Daniel Olson Gives the Rules for the Nativity Fast:

Since we are beginning the Nativity Fast soon I thought it would be worthwhile to pass on a translation of the fasting rules provided in Chapter 33 of the Typicon:

“It is fitting to know, that during the fast of the Holy Apostles, and of the Nativity of Christ, on Tuesday and Thursday, we do not eat fish, but oil and wine only.

On Monday, on Wednesday and Friday, we taste neither oil nor wine, but we fast until the ninth hour, and on these days we eat dry food.

On Saturdays and Sundays we eat fish.
“If a saint having the [Great] Doxology occurs on a Tuesday or on a Thursday, we eat fish.
“If on a Monday, likewise.”

If on a Wednesday or a Friday, we permit oil and wine only; we eat once a day.
“If a saint having a vigil [occurs] on a Wednesday or a Friday, we permit oil and wine and fish. “If the memorial of the saint whose temple it is occurs on a Wednesday or a Friday, we do likewise.”

These are the strict rules. Some will abstain from meat and dairy products on the first day of the Fast (November 15, mitigated this year because it falls on Sunday) and on Christmas Eve until the Velija in the evening. Hence, you can abstain from meat on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the rest of the Fast. One should never boast about fasting, if I am able to keep this, it is only by God’s grace and only to remind myself of the need for God’s grace.

Edited text from Archpriest David Petras