Great Lent - purification of the mind, soul and body from excesses and negative emotions. This is tireless work on oneself, deliverance from sin. A time for reconciliation and mercy. Pacification of pride, vanity, anger, envy. Physical and spiritual abstinence, which is designed to prepare a person for repentance.
When the post ends, the need for daily prayers, good deeds, good relationships is disappearing. After him, a man decides whether to be piety in his heart. The conscious choice of spirituality is the main goal of Christianity.
What is a post
The church charter explains that Orthodox fasting is for clergy and monks. If a layman does not have the strength and ability to withstand him all, then he should turn to the priest. He, depending on the state of health and the material situation of a person will make an indulgence or allow himself to be limited to prayers.
Fasting is abstinence from eating junk food. It cannot be started at will. All multi-day and one-day posts are dedicated to memorable dates. Therefore, the charter states when the fast ends and begins.
There are 4 long periods of abstinence from fast food in a year. The priests recommend the laity only to keep themselves from excesses during the fast, and not to bring the body to a painful state by severe restriction in food.
The main purpose of fasting is physical and spiritual purification, the submission of the body to the spirit. You can allow a relaxation in food due to illness. Fasting should not be harmful. But daily prayers, modesty and kindness in a relationship should last the whole period until the moment when the fast ends. At the end of abstinence, the Christian himself decides whether to continue to be well-disposed to him or not.
Post history
The story of the origin of the fast began in the time of the apostles. They are the witnesses of the life path of the Savior. The apostles testify that Christ spent 40 days in the wilderness before his baptism. Loneliness, lack of nutritious food, meditation and prayer - these are the fundamental moments of the occurrence of fasting.
You should know that the Savior was subjected to the temptations of Satan during his time in the wilderness. He stood the test, giving up bread and power.
In a desire to become like the Savior, a forty-day fast was formed. Later it was timed to Easter - the brightest holiday in Christianity. The passion of Christ, with its tragedy and subsequent heavenly glory, gave a special meaning to the entire fourteenth century. Fasting before Easter called the Great. It involves not only food restriction, but also worldly joys.
One should start and end fasting and praying in order to avoid temptations. Concentrate forces and opportunities on the spiritual struggle with them.
Fasting before Easter
Over time, to the fourteenth century, the Ecumenical Council added several more memorable dates.
- Lazarev Saturday - in honor of the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus.
- The entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, or Palm Sunday, is the solemn entrance to the capital.
- Passion Week - judgment, suffering, martyrdom of Christ.
Therefore, the post lasts 48 days. It begins on the day after the Forgiveness Sunday. Easter is the day that fasting ends. Each year it falls on different dates. This is due to the fact that the calculation of the days of celebration or fasting is determined by the astronomical calendar.
For example, in 2016, Lent will begin on March 14. The numbers of 2015 are February 23 (beginning of Lent) and April 12 (Easter holiday).
How to pray during Lent
Fasting is a responsible time for the soul. Restriction in food can bring anxiety, irritability. And this is unacceptable during any post. Therefore, great attention should be paid to relationships with loved ones. Avoid quarrels and bad moods. It will not be useful to abstain from food if a person is angry or lying. Therefore, good relations with people and deeds of mercy are so important.
Daily prayers will help keep your soul from evil. You can attend church services. Priests recommend confining themselves to a few prayers, but to read them daily, with love for God.
If possible, then add a reading of akathists, the Psalter, canons in moderation. If you want to add to them the works of Seraphim of Sarov, John Chrysostom, St. Augustine.
What you can not eat in the post before Easter
The church provides for exceptions during fasting. It may not be observed at all or partially sick, traveling, minor children, pregnant and lactating women.
Fasting is not meant to be harmful. Therefore, if there are concerns, you should discuss them with the priest, the attending physician. It is necessary to gradually prepare for fasting, step by step restricting oneself in food.
Forbidden during the entire fasting products of animal origin (meat, eggs, milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter). Unacceptable pastries, sweets, fast food.
- A complete rejection of food occurs on the first day, on Clean Thursday, Good Friday.
- Fish is allowed on the Annunciation and Palm Sunday. Fish roe - on Lazarev Saturday.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday - dry-eating.
- Tuesday, Thursday - hot, boiled food is allowed once a day (without oil).
- Saturday, Sunday - hot, boiled food 2 times a day with oil and dressings (except Great Saturday).
When Lent ends, Do not pounce on holiday treats. This can lead to serious health problems. It is necessary to gradually increase the diet over 2-3 weeks.
Allowable food per post
It must be remembered that for the laity, the severity of fasting is an optional condition. It is better to devote this time to enhanced spiritual growth. If health allows, you can adhere to food restrictions throughout the period of Lent.
Porridge is cooked on the water, without adding oil. Vegetables and fruits are allowed for laymen in any form - boiled, baked, stewed. Nuts, honey, legumes, dried fruits, herbs, jelly, tea, jam. It is permissible to drink alcohol during fasting up to 2 glasses to maintain the body - no more.
When fasting ends, on Easter morning, try not to abuse meat, alcohol, pastry. It is better to limit yourself to one egg per day. Prefer not fresh, but yesterday’s pastries. Add meat to the diet on the 3rd day after fasting, before eating fish.
Restrictions during Lent
Fasting before Easter is a time for perfecting your soul. It is a renunciation of pleasures, excesses in everything. A time of reflection, prayer, loneliness, good deeds. It is necessary to consciously treat Lent. Determine your physical and spiritual capabilities, avoid extremes.
It is not recommended to exhaust your body by fasting or intense prayers. You should not completely abandon it, devoting yourself only to pleasures.
Gradually restrain emotions, pacify the flesh. Avoid anger and irritation. Try to avoid guests (as much as possible). Intimate relationships of spouses are prohibited during fasting. Try to analyze your relationship, make adjustments for their improvement. Ask for forgiveness and forgive the offenders.
If this is the very first post in life, you need to seek help from the priest. He will advise where to start, how to do mercy and overcome pride, how to participate in the liturgy, what prayers to read at home.
Last week before Easter
Holy Week is the last week before Easter. In it, every day is called great. This week is the last days of the Savior's earthly life. His torment, suffering, reflection.
No wonder the phrase "bear your cross" means not only physical abilities or weaknesses. This is the awareness of one’s path, its understanding and acceptance. Not every person is able to submit to the will of God, many try to avoid their problems or shift them to other people.
Each person has his own way. Therefore, the foundations of Christianity are to avoid envy, pride, anger, hypocrisy, revenge, vanity. Acceptance of the path, consent with it are humility, repentance.
In the last week before Easter, you should devote yourself to fasting, prayer. And also to clean up the house. Clear-out will help to clear the room of the accumulated negativity. Water will wash away negative energy. The purity of the house, body, soul will testify to the approaching bright holiday of Easter.
The meaning of Lent
It is worthy to bear one’s cross, one’s suffering is one of the possibilities for spiritual improvement of a person. Another possibility is to help others. Often, for his illnesses, losses, or trials, a person does not see the weakness of another. Reluctance to help, refusal of mercy carry indifference. Therefore, so often in prayers to God are the main requests for patience, humility, and the surrender of the strength to bear your cross.
The last week before Easter is the opportunity to realize what the Savior endured, what spiritual load he endured for the sake of people. Therefore, Lent as a whole is not gastronomic restrictions, but pacification of its negative manifestations. Orthodoxy asks to abandon idleness and idle talk for this period. Fasting is a call to virtue, a special state of mind and spirit. The meaning of Lent is in approaching God, his Grace.