In Orthodoxy there are a large number of fasting days per year. Most of them fall for long periods. They are dedicated to the great holidays, and there are four such posts, and the most important is Great Lent. Each of them is of particular importance for believers, and the beginning of fasting can fall on different days (there are fixed, but there are floating). They also differ in their duration.
Most Important Christian Fasting - Easter
Pre-Easter days (Lent) and Easter itself - this is perhaps one of the most significant events in Orthodoxy. It was established as a memory of the forty-day fasting of Jesus Christ and is dedicated to his sacrifice in the name of mankind. Great Lent began on the first Monday after Forgiveness Sunday. His other name is the Holy Pentecost (in memory of Jesus refusing food for forty days, shortly after baptism).
Since there is no fixed date for this post, many may wonder how to calculate it. The easiest way can be to purchase a church calendar, which will indicate all the significant dates of the year. More information on what date the start of the post will be described below.
The spiritual meaning of Lent
Nowadays, many perceive the post almost as a diet. In a way, this is, of course, true, but the most important thing is not always on the surface. So here - the truth should be sought inside. But it is such that fasting days must be devoted to spiritual purification, and only in second place should be the body.
Of course, because of this, the following question may arise: “Why then limit yourself to food?” The whole point is that limiting the body stimulates the work of the spirit. When a person ceases to think about anything other than prayer and repentance, he begins to turn to God, to see what has been hidden until now from his eyes (his vices, for example).
It is also believed that fasting is an excellent confrontation with evil temptations. It is not in vain that the monks pacify their body constantly. Of course, you should not think that fasting is a punishment. A person who constantly observes it makes his heart subtle and receptive to the penetration of the Holy Spirit.
It should also be remembered that restrictions on food can lead to irritability, anger, anger. This is all that you need to get rid of during fasting. Therefore, many confessors even recommend measuring their strength and capabilities so that fasting is only beneficial. For the first time, it is better to observe it a little softer to find out all the pitfalls of your soul.
Beginning of Easter Lent
The beginning of Lent, as mentioned above, is laid on Monday, which goes immediately after Forgiveness Sunday. The date depends on what day Easter falls. Each year is a different date, as it is calculated according to the lunar calendar. So, seven weeks before Easter, Great Lent begins.
This great Orthodox holiday begins on the first Sunday of the spring full moon. This day falls on or after the vernal equinox . Another point is also taken into account - when Jewish Passover is celebrated. This Orthodox holiday should be celebrated after it.
The first week of Lent is the most severe. During it, the most severe refusal of food is observed (especially in the first two days). Also this week the services are longer than on other days.
Holy Pentecost
The first six weeks of fasting (before Holy Week) are special days that are set in memory of the forty-day fasting of Jesus Christ. The first week, as was written above, is the most severe. The first Monday of fasting is popularly called "clean." Every Sunday during Lent, special events and special saints are recalled.
At this time on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday there is no liturgy, except on those days when it is a holiday. Just as usual, they perform morning worship, and instead of Vespers, a great supper is performed. Wednesday and Friday are dedicated to the liturgy of the blessed gifts. In the first five Sundays, the liturgy of St. Basil the Great is obligatory, and on Saturdays they celebrate the liturgy of John Chrysostom.
Significant dates during the post
There are a lot of days of remembrance during the Decade, besides the ones mentioned above. For example, the beginning of the fast, namely the first four days at the evening read the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. The first Friday is devoted to the reading of the canon to Fedor Tyrone, as well as the distribution of the consecrated coliva.
The first Sunday of Lent is the “Triumph of Orthodoxy”, when icons are placed on the analogs in the church, and at the end of the liturgy, prayer songs are performed.
The second Sunday is dedicated to St. Gregory Palamas. On the third Sunday of fasting, the Holy Cross is worshiped, therefore the next week is called the Cross-worship.
The fourth Sunday is dedicated to St. John Climacus. The fifth Sunday of fasting is the following of Mary of Egypt and the hope of forgiveness after sincere repentance.
Lazarev Saturday is also especially significant when his resurrection is remembered. Sixth Sunday is the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem. People call this holiday Palm Sunday.
Passion Week and leaving the post
The beginning of the Orthodox Lent and its end are very strict on the observance of meals. His last week is called Holy Week. It is dedicated to the events that happened with Jesus on the cross, his torment and suffering. This whole week should pass in prayer and fasting.
The first three days of this week recall the last conversations of Jesus Christ with his disciples and people. Also, the liturgy of the blessed gifts is performed, the gospel is read. On Wednesday of the last week of the fast, I recall the moment when Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ.
On Thursday of Holy Week, before the all-night service, those parts of the Gospel are read that speak of the sufferings of Christ. Then begins the Vespers, which goes on Friday morning.
On Friday the shroud is taken out, which symbolizes the removal of the body of Christ from the cross, and after its burial. On Saturday this shroud is surrounded around the temple, which symbolizes Christ's descent into hell and his victory over death and hell. So the post ends.
The rules of nutrition during fasting
Easter fasting is not only spiritual abstinence from abuse, bad thoughts and the like, but also bodily abstinence. At this time, you can not eat fish and meat products, eggs, drink wine and milk, vegetable oil should be excluded. Food should be taken no more than once a day.
Saturdays and Sundays are less stringent. At this time, you can add vegetable oil to food, as well as drink a small amount of wine. However, this does not apply to that Saturday, which falls on Holy Week.
Two times from the moment the start date for fasting came, you can eat fish. This is the feast of the Annunciation, as well as Palm Sunday. You can still eat fish caviar, but only once, namely on Lazarev Saturday. She comes before Palm Sunday.
Also, the first week of the post and the last are the most stringent. According to the rules, you can’t eat at all for the first two days. Last week (Holy Week) - only dry food, you can’t eat fried, boiled, baked and other similar food.
Of course, all prescriptions are sometimes difficult to follow, especially for those who do this for the first time, sick or weak. Also less strictly apply to pregnant women and children. The priests advise to balance their strength and not do what is impossible to accomplish. There must be some severity, but it should not harm the body. The most important things that you need to pay attention to during fasting are spiritual purification, strength prayers, and temple visits. Before proceeding to incomplete abstinence, you should receive the blessing of the father.
Other post rules
In addition to all of the above, in Easter post (and in any other) you should limit yourself to body entertainment (disco dances, going to cafes, restaurants, watching various entertainment programs, etc.). If there are children in the family, then you should limit them from watching cartoons (if possible), as well as from various sweets. Of course, you first need to explain to your children why this is done.
A very important point during fasting is marital relations. According to the rules, they must be limited (i.e., they should not be present during the fast). However, here, too, one should enter the position of the family. If the husband and wife live a church life, constantly visit the temple and for them fasting is not an empty phrase, then the sex life at this time should be absent. Even if someone changed their minds, the spouse should refuse. Of course, if the second half does not share the spiritual aspirations of the spouse, then, of course, it is not worth bringing the relationship to break. In general, we can say that in this regard, everything is very individual. If there are any difficulties, it is better to consult with a confessor.
It should be noted also about other rules. It is necessary to refrain from slander, swear words, evil and sinful thoughts. You should also refrain from smoking and alcohol. This is a time of spiritual cleansing, which is what we should do.
Summer posts in Orthodoxy
Orthodoxy also has two summer posts - one at the beginning of this season, the other at the end. Each has a shorter duration than Lent, and they are also confined to certain holidays.
The beginning of the fast - the Assumption - should be counted two weeks before August 28, when, in fact, the Assumption of the Mother of God is celebrated. It is considered the shortest among four posts, but in severity it is similar to Easter.
There is also a Petrov post, which can last from two to five weeks before the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Its length depends on how much Easter has fallen in a year. In addition, it is considered the easiest and fastest passing.
Christmas post
The second longest is the Christmas post. It is not as strict as, for example, Lent. The beginning of the Christmas Lent was laid forty days before the birth of Christ, which falls on the seventh of January. Although the post is not strict, but before Christmas Eve, you should refrain from eating until the service is over and the stars appear. Only after this can you eat comfy or uzvar. Immediately on the seventh of January, no matter what day this date falls on, you can eat everything.
Other Orthodox posts
Great Lent and the other three large posts are not the only ones in Orthodoxy. There are also small posts. For example, every week there are two fasting days - Wednesday and Friday. Also, fasting should be observed on September 11 - the day of the Beheading of the head of St. John the Baptist, September 27 - the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, January 18 - on the Epiphany Eve.
It is necessary to monitor how the beginning of the post has passed. If it is difficult for you to abide by it strictly, then be sure to consult a confessor to facilitate its course. But in no case do not refuse to comply, this is good for both your soul and body.