Lent is one of the most important periods in the calendar of the Orthodox believer. Divinity allows you to prepare for the great holiday - Holy Easter, to be cleansed spiritually and physically, and also to draw closer to God. That is why fasting before Christ's Sunday is given increased attention from believers.
Great Lent History
Right Great Lent has a long history. According to scientists, the first mention of the Almighty was spelled out by St. Athanasius the Great in his Easter message. According to the Scriptures, fasting begins 6 weeks before the celebration of life, hope and joy. The period lasts for 40 days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Holy Week before Easter.
In modern ideas, Lent is related to the period of Christ's wandering in the desert. However, in the message of Athanasius the Great there is no such mention. But, despite this, the fast of the Holy Pentecost is characterized by ascetic preparation for this grand religious holiday.
The final establishment of Lent occurred only at the end of the 4th - beginning of the 5th century. Lent every day in various places was not observed according to a single canon. The very rules of spiritual cleansing differed, as did the nutrition that was permissible for Christians during the indicated period.
Parts of Lent
If you cover the Great Lent by the day, then the entire period can be divided into 4 important stages. Fourfold is a fasting period that lasts for 40 days. This stage is a symbol of the life of Christ in the wilderness before the sermon. At this time, one should fight with all sins through prayer, appeals to the Lord, and an ascetic lifestyle. It is very important to know what to eat during Lent, what prayers to say, what time to go to worship.
The second important stage of Almighty is Lazarev Saturday. The Christian calendar on this day recalls the miracle that Christ performed - the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus resurrected the dead Lazarus, while forcing him to stand up from the tomb on the 4th day after death. Such a phenomenon instilled in the Jews faith in God, in Jesus Christ. Therefore, when the Son of the Lord entered Jerusalem, the local Jews met him as King, laying palm branches and their clothes at their feet.
The Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, or Palm Sunday, symbolizes the Second Coming of Christ. These were the last days when Jesus Christ was an earthly inhabitant. The period was approaching when the Son of God would be put to a painful execution on the cross.
The final stage of Lent is Holy Week lasting 6 days. During this period, you should know for sure that Lent every day has its own specific canons. Since the time of mourning has come, when believers remember all the torments of the Son of the Lord, of his death and burial.
Preparing for Lent
To prepare for the Great Divine Life, one should not only learn how to fast during Great Lent, but also realize the very fact of this asceticism. For rapprochement with God, it is not enough just to give up fast food. It is necessary to purify oneself mentally, forgive all your enemies, get rid of anger and anger. Prayers must contain words of appeal to God for help, for healing and purification. The grace of the Lord will come upon all who ask, during this period.
Conversations with the Priest
As soon as you understand that soon the first week of Lent is coming, you should go to church and talk with the clergyman. Why is this needed? This is necessary so that the clergyman can explain what to eat during Lent in accordance with age, state of health. Each post should be able to. Therefore, the Church allows abstain from sickness, women who are pregnant and nursing, travelers and children.
Saving week
Lent (the first day and the whole subsequent week), in accordance with the Orthodox canons, is considered a period of cleansing of believers from sins. What is happening at this time? In the early days of Lent, all clergymen convince their parishioners to embark on the Lord’s path, to get rid of all the vices and sins that they received during their earthly life. It is possible to get rid of this spiritual burden only by means of worship, humility and prayer.
The first days of Lent, like the last week, are held in the church with the greatest zeal of both the clergy themselves and the parishioners. It was at this time that spiritual and physical exploits were carried out. Food during Lent (first day) is a forbidden fruit for all believers. In accordance with Orthodox customs, food is not delivered in the first two days of the Fourteenth (and for the physically capable - in the first four days). This cleanses the body of the evils of earthly life.
The first week of Lent is marked by lengthy sermons. Divine services begin with the canon of St. Andrew of Crete during the Compline period. Scripture awakens in the soul of believers a special repentance, humility and increases the mood for observance of worship. Other scriptures during the first week are the hymns of Joseph and Theodore the Studites, which are required for preaching in the church.
How to fast?
The question of how to fast in Lent remains the most crucial among believers. During the Most Holy Spirit, it is recommended to completely exclude from food all foods and dishes that contain meat and offal. Milk, cheese, vegetable oil, fish, eggs and other small-scale food are banned. Do not forget about alcohol, which is taboo during Lent.
However, there are some indulgences that become possible on holidays. So, fish and all derivative products can be eaten on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on Palm Sunday. Caviar becomes available on Lazarev Saturday.
What can you eat in the first week of fasting?
As noted above, the first week of Lent is quite strict. It is recommended to completely refrain from food. However, those who decide to enter the veneration for the first time should not be completely deprived of their meal. Entry into the post should be gradual, without a sharp rejection of meat and fish.
Lent (the first day) is associated among Orthodox believers with the cleansing and repentance before God that comes after Forgiveness Sunday. On the first day, it is customary to clean up the house, wash and put on clean clothes. The intestines also need to be cleaned, so strict requirements are imposed on the meal.
In the monastery, according to the charter, all confessors must completely refuse food on the first day. Only holy water is offered to maintain strength. The laity on the first day of fasting are allowed to eat raw food of non-animal origin. In other words, a raw-eater is common during this period of time. Allowed fruits, vegetables, bread and water. Lent, the first day and the second in particular, takes place according to a single scenario.
On the third, fourth and fifth day, according to church canons, it is recommended to eat hot food, but without the addition of oils. The main ingredients can be mushrooms, vegetables, baked in the oven, lean soups, honey and fruits.
On Saturday and Sunday, lay people are allowed to eat dishes with the addition of a small amount of oil. In addition, on Saturday you can drink a light grape wine. Food should be hot, contain vitamins.
What can I eat in the second week of fasting?
The second week of Lent is quite strict. Of the seven days, there are three for dry-eating: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These days, you should adhere to a strict menu, which can contain only raw vegetables, fruits, bread and water. On Tuesday, Thursday, lay people are allowed to taste steamed food, but without the addition of any type of vegetable oil. The meal can be varied with lean porridges, vegetable soup, mushrooms baked in the oven. On Saturday and Sunday, fasting is relaxed. On these days, laity can eat with vegetable oil and drink a glass of wine.
What can I eat in the third week of fasting?
The third week of Lent in church lexicon is listed as the Cross-worshiping. During this period, parishioners should reflect on what it means to "bear their cross." The post is still strict. On Monday, a raw food diet is recommended. It is better to give preference to nuts, figs, raisins, fruits and vegetables. On Tuesday, you can include boiled or baked food in an amount of 200 grams in a meal. In the Cross-worshiping environment it is allowed to eat two dishes with a small amount of oil, as well as a glass of grape wine. On Saturday, the Parent Universe comes Saturday.
What can I eat in the fourth, fifth and sixth week of fasting?
The presented fasting weeks are no different from the first three. However, some days allow fasting relief. On the Feast of the Annunciation, confessors are allowed to eat fish once a day. In addition, you can taste dishes with butter, as well as a glass of wine. On Lazarev Saturday, when Christians recall the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, fish caviar is allowed in an amount of up to 100 grams. You can use oil and grape wine.
Holy Week
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem. What do they eat at Lent in Holy Week? On Sunday, laity are allowed to eat hot, cooked foods without oil. Further, the post is tightened:
- Great Monday is the day when confessors remember the type of Jesus Christ - Patriarch Joseph. On this day, dry eating is recommended once a day. Serving should not exceed 200 grams. Food should be raw without oil. As a drink, you can choose a decoction of berries with honey.
- Great Tuesday is marked by the preaching of the son of God, which was read in Jerusalem. The high priests asked Jesus incriminating questions about the second coming, but did not dare to arrest him because of a devoted people. On Tuesday, the laity eat raw food: vegetables, fruits, nuts, bread.
- The great environment in Christian Scripture is overshadowed by the betrayal of Judah. In addition, the anointing of Jesus Christ took place that day. On this day, dry-eating should be preferred. From drinking, choose water or a decoction (tincture) of berries on honey.
- Maundy Thursday. On this day, one of the most important events happened - the Last Supper. On Thursday, Jesus Christ washed his disciples' feet. It was a gesture of brotherly love, as well as divine humility. At the Last Supper, a rite was established called the Holy Communion (according to the Gospel). On this day, the confessors receive bread and wine, thereby implying the body and blood of the Son of God, remembering the sufferings of Christ.
- Good friday. Good Friday is marked by the arrest of Jesus Christ, his judgment, the way of the cross, the crucifixion and death on the cross. On this day, the laity do not eat anything. Elderly people are allowed to take bread and water after sunset.
- Great Saturday is dedicated to the recollections of how Christ arrived in the tomb and descended into hell to save the souls of the dead from the eternal torment. On this day, it is recommended to refrain from food until Easter.
How to leave a post?
What is eaten during Lent is not the only issue requiring clarification. To avoid complications, special attention should be paid to conversation. The process of leaving the post should be gradual. This is due to the fact that over the past seven weeks the body has adapted to plant light foods. Therefore, in the Easter week, the menu should be gradually diluted with food of animal origin. This will allow the development of enzymes that contribute to the processing of heavy meals.
Lent is a time of hope and humility, which is achieved through spiritual rapprochement with God and physical purification. But do not resort to honor if there are health problems.