Orthodox people have been familiar with fasting for centuries. Fasting is not only a restriction in food, that is, a bodily restriction. It also implies spiritual limitations. It is impossible to imagine a human body without a soul. Therefore, to say that one can limit oneself in food and at the same time be unbridled spiritually means not to observe fasting.
How and why to fast
Faith, above all, lives within each person. The Lord is in thoughts, deeds, spiritual torment. If there is no God within a person, then fasting does not make sense. This is not a fad. This is a kind of tempering, a test of spiritual strength.
If a person is able to abandon everything that can rekindle sinful thoughts in him, including abundant food, then he can count on the grace of God.
Observing fasting in August, as in other months, it should be remembered that bodily fasting is primarily a rejection of delicious and sweet food. The abundance of lean food should also be neglected. If we talk about spiritual abstinence, then the forefront is the rejection of passionate movements that sweeten base vices and lead to sins.
What is needed and what cannot be done in fasting?
It is worth refraining from reading secular literature. It is better to use the Internet only for official purposes, and you should not turn on the TV. If this state of affairs is difficult for the fasting person, you can allow yourself an indulgence.
It will be expressed in viewing news feeds and programs. In addition, you can not protect yourself from reading spiritual literature, watching programs and films of spiritual content.
Keeping fasting in August requires more prayer. To pray not only in the mornings and evenings, but also to read penitential canons. It is during this period that more time should be devoted to repentance and excommunication from passions.
You can repent both at home, in front of the icon, and in the church under epitrahil. The priest will not only listen, but will also guide the true path with advice. A conversation with him will help to realize the severity of the perfect act and ease the soul.
Throughout the fast, and throughout the rest of life, one should do as many good and charitable deeds as possible: to help those in need, to give alms, to make pilgrimage trips, etc.
The most correct result of the post will be spiritual growth and rejection of addictions and passions. If you manage to defeat your flesh, then the soul will be able to prevail over it.
History reference
Speaking about the need for fasting, many are wondering: what post in August? The answer to it will be more than unambiguous. This month, believers, in addition to one-day, expects a long Assumption of Lent. In its importance and severity, it is equated with Lent.
Speaking about its history, it should be noted that the first mention of it dates back to the distant 450 year. The post could finally be approved much later. This happened in 1166, at the Council of Constantinople.
Saint Simeon of Solunsky said in 1429 that this post was established in honor of the Mother of God. After all, she, learning of her destiny, was worried and fasted for the whole people, although, being a saint, she might not have done so. No less zealously she performed prayers and fasts before moving to another life. That is why people should fast and thereby encourage the Virgin to pray for the whole human race.
The severity of this post was noted in tsarist times. In 1917, it was forbidden to hold carnivals or to entertain with jesters during the days of August Lent.
The beginning of the post. Honey saved
In the Orthodox faith, the Lord God and the Mother of God take predominant positions. The Assumption Lent in August includes several church holidays. But for starters, many believers are interested in when fasting begins in August. Since the fasting began on August 14, it coincides with the feast of the Origin (wear) of the honest trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord.
The festival has its roots in the 9th century, in the city of Constantinople. It was there, in St. Sophia Cathedral, that the cross on which Jesus was crucified was located. At the end of the summer, Byzantium suffered various epidemics. In order to somehow alleviate the situation, it was decided on August 1, according to the old style (the 14th - according to the new one) to take out the cross from the temple. Everyone could bow before him and thereby receive protection from adversity. After this procession, people walked to rivers and springs for the blessing of water. It is also important that Prince Vladimir baptized Russia on this very day.
Nowadays, some call this holiday a honeycomb. On this day, Orthodox people consecrate jars of honey in the church. This gives additional healing power to an already very useful product. From this day honey can be eaten, and housewives can bake delicious cakes with it.
Transfiguration and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Orthodox fast in August is short. Its duration is no more than two weeks. The post will end on August 27th. In its middle, Orthodox people will celebrate another holiday. He will be the Transfiguration of the Lord. On this day, August 19, the Lord, praying on a mountain with his three disciples, showed them his divine power.
On this day, parishioners bring apples and grapes to the temple. After consecration, they can be tasted. This cannot be done before. The Holy Fathers said that early consumption of these foods in food was punishable by a ban on their use throughout August. Mistresses on this day can make pies with apples and grapes. You can cook compotes and fruit jam with a new crop.
The end of the post will be the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28). It is marked by the death of the mother of God. According to the Scriptures, it was on this day that preachers from all over the earth gathered in Jerusalem to bid farewell to the Virgin.
What and how to eat in a post
Speaking about how to properly observe the posts in August, you must remember about their severity. It is recommended to eat foods of plant origin only. Prohibited food of animal origin. More specifically, the calendars show daily meals.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the Orthodox Church recommends adherence to dryness. Boiled foods are recommended to be excluded. On Tuesday, you can eat boiled food, but do not add oil to it. On Saturday and Sunday, prepare food with a small addition of sunflower oil. To diversify the menu on weekends will allow a small amount of wine.
On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, you can allow fish to be added to food. On other days, this is prohibited. August 28, on the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you can eat any food, as the day is not considered to be lean. It is he who ends the multi-day posts in August. And on August 29, the congregation expects a walnut saved.