This publication considers the Assumption Post not only from the position of proper nutrition. The fact is that people who are believers and approaching God are often interested in exactly what is possible and what cannot be eaten these days. But the meaning of fasting is not just a complete or partial refusal of food. On days when you can eat certain dishes, the diet also can not be put in the first place. What then matters?
It is no secret that the Bible is the most important and sacred book for Christians. Such a phrase as “Orthodox fasting” is absent in it, but enough has been written about how to fast properly. In particular, the eighth chapter of the Book of Ezra tells us that a law teacher named Ezra proclaims a fast whose purpose is to humble the Lord. At this time, the mentioned scribe, together with other believers, appealed to Heavenly Father with a request for a Blessing for his people: a safe journey and protection of property. It is written that the fasting were heard by the Lord and received an answer.
Another husband of God - the prophet Daniel also practiced fasting. At the same time, the condition in which he stayed for 21 days was translated by the canonical texts as “lamentation”. The same word from chapter 10 of the book of Daniel can be translated like this: "sob, cry, mourn, lament, grieve, be sad." In addition, the Prophet did not eat bread and completely abandoned meat and wine. As a result, an angel appeared to him and conveyed a message from God.
It is important to understand and learn that we can and should complain at home, in a secluded place, and not in public. On the contrary, Jesus Christ calls hypocrites people who fast for show so that everyone sees their piety. For believers, the gospel recommends washing your face and anointing your head. The meaning of fasting in this case is to appear before Heavenly Father in humility, and to people in their usual form. With regard to nutrition, Christ did not say anything, but all believers know that He, at least once, did not eat for forty days. It is important to understand that any Orthodox fast has a biblical foundation and can be either with a complete or partial refusal of food and drink.
The Assumption Post is named after the Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It lasts exactly ten days (in 2012: 14.08 - 28.08) and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to the Savior of the human race. As you can see - it is not long, but it is considered quite strict. In this respect, he is even compared to the Great Lent. For almost its entire length, Christians abstain not only from meat, but also from fish. It is somewhat reminiscent of Daniil's post, but it is important to remember that the prophet paid his main attention not to the diet, but to his inner man.
So Jesus - the Son, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, recommends to appear in a certain state of the Spirit before the Father. In this case, since this is the Assumption post, the faithful who worship Mary, of course, pray in front of her icon. But the general principles remain unchanged, and in the first place - spiritual concentration. Of course, as during Great Lent, and any other fasting, noisy entertainments are unacceptable, one should not only avoid quarrels, but also forgive all offenders and ask that you be forgiven.
On Saturdays and Sundays of the Assumption Lent, vegetable oil can be added to food, and you can also drink wine. When the Transfiguration of the Lord comes, then on this day you can eat fish dishes, add oil to food. On the same day you are allowed to drink some wine. Tuesday, Thursday are fasting days on which traditionally no oil is added to food, and Wednesday and Friday means dry eating.
This does not mean that water should not be drunk at all, but these days you should limit its consumption, do not cook with water and refrain from vegetable oil.
You can cook, for example, in the microwave. Assumption fasting, despite the severity, is loved by believers. It is short-lived, and by this time, as you know, many fruits appear.