This most important of many days of Christian fasting prepares believers for a worthy meeting of the Resurrection of Christ - the bright holiday of Easter. Lent is considered a priority for observance among multi-day church fasts. Many believers are interested in eating fasting. What else needs to be observed these days?
According to the Orthodox tradition, the first week is a time of especially concentrated and zealous prayer and strict fasting (prayer). To say is to completely or partially abstain from food, to purify the soul and body, approaching God.
The origin of Lent
We are interested not only in the nutrition of Lent, but also in the essence of the word. According to the Bible, fasting is a complete or partial abstinence from food and water. The Prophet Moses was in the Presence of God for 40 days, not consuming food and water, until he wrote down the words of the Covenant on the tablets. An ordinary person cannot live so much time without water.
Christ was also in the wilderness for forty days in the wilderness, and it is not written that He did not drink water, but He completely abstained from food. Then the Lord Jesus Christ resisted all temptations and returned in the Power of the Holy Spirit. See? Fasting is much more than just abstinence from food.
And here is the food during the fast of the prophet Daniel. The Holy Scriptures say that he did not eat meat and tasty bread, did not drink wine, and did not anoint himself for three weeks. It was thanks to the fast that Daniel was rewarded with a meeting with an angel from God. This post is called Daniilov and they imply a restriction in fast food, which, perhaps, most fully corresponds to nutrition during the Great Lent of Christian believers.
Great Lent has its origin on Mount Sinai, where Moses prayed, and it was established by the Apostles in memory of Christ's fasting in the wilderness.
It is characteristic that the benefits of fasting can hardly be overestimated from the point of view of healing the whole organism. It is practically proven that proper nutrition during Lent strengthens the immune system. Believers who abide by this post are not subject to stress, they are sick less and live longer.
Spiritual cleansing and sanctification at this time implies regular prayer, and it is also imperative to forgive all people with whom conflicts or misunderstandings arose. In the book of the prophet Isaiah in chapter 58 it is written that, with proper fasting, God promises physical healing and His protection.
Eating Great Lent is abstinence from fasting (non-fasting) food. In addition, these days are made:
- regular prayer, spiritual chants;
- giving up bad habits and everything that distracts from the knowledge of God;
- repentance, forgiveness.
The Orthodox Church recommends that believing Christians who strictly observe the proper nutrition of Lent do not eat animal food:
- meat, including fish,
- milk,
- the eggs.
It also refers to abstinence from fast food, which is contained in certain dishes.
Moreover, on the day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, eating fish dishes is allowed. Also, fish dishes are allowed on Palm Sunday (Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem).
Great post in Russia
In Russia, they have long been observing Lent. These were the days of the cessation of fun, theaters were closing, games were stopping. The meat trade also ceased, and pious people, without special need, did not even leave their homes.
Today, few believers, choosing the food of Lent, so strictly adhere to monastic rules. But some Christians, on the contrary, completely refuse food all these days, and do not drink water in the first two days. At least, not an Orthodox Christian can eat meat during fasting.
May the Lord God strengthen you and fill all your needs!