Fasting for pregnant and mommy nursing
Here you can make distributions into two categories: profoundly believing women, whose knowledge of this issue is imbued with the traditions of the family and ordinary Christians, not very experienced in matters of faith, but still at a subconscious level understand that fasting is an important component of our spiritual life. They do not know how to introduce themselves into the post and how to comply with it; for all eternity, one wants something and wants to restrain oneself in food, it is often easy to hysterical.
Timofey of Alexandria in its 8th rule says that a woman who has given birth to a child does not need to fast, but to reinforce herself with a normal diet for the sake of the child's health. Asamo birth is already a feat in front of God and therefore if he wants to fast, in order to not harm his health and the health of the baby. And her condition in this period must be blissful, joyful, because it is passed on to the baby. God is not an accountant who writes down how much you eat fast, it's more important to him how you grow your baby and in what traditions you will bring up.
Limit oneself to fasting first and foremost in idleness, entertainment, condemnation, and increase attention to others, and strengthen the help of others. This will be the best fasting.
Is it necessary to keep fasting in a matrimonial relationship ?
In this regard, especially zealous clergymen often peregibayut stick, taking the liberty to assert that during fasting, in no case should a spouse have sex. It's not true or we will say so, half-truth. Again, let us turn to competent sources. Even the Apostle Paulald to family couples such edification: do not shy away from each other or only by agreement for a short time, which you yourself will allocate for prayers and fasting. Azatem again be together, so that Satan does not tempt you with intemperance. And who else should we trust in these issues, how not to one of the disciples of Christ?
So here everything is very clear: the husband and wife must decide the measure of fasting and how much they should abstain. The Lord does not need a family to break up because of abstinence in married life. Such a post is absolutely necessary, after all, the most important thing is to keep warm relations in the family with every circumstance.
St. Timothy explains that the days of rest are mandatory for abstinence, and this is for the reason that these days in the Liturgy Church the Divine Passes. As for the Great Lent, only the first and last weeks will be mandatory. In other days - only at will.
Do we need to fast the children?
This question is complicated. In principle, there is no categorical answer to it. Here, and converge, and the opinions of doctors and clergymen disagree. By and large, the child, as an actively growing body, should not give up sweating and dairy products.
Thus, it is desirable to limit the child not in the products that he needs for the development of the body (the post is still long), but, for example, in games, sitting at the computer, watching cartoons. You can also limit the diet, excluding from the ration of the child products that are originally from the body do not bring. For example, cakes, cakes and sweets. That is, these are delicacies, which for the development of the child are even more harmful than useful. Therefore, it is possible to introduce such restrictions to the child. And they will not harm the body and bring soul to the soul.
Do we need to follow the old people and sick people ?
Among the people now a complete confusion in opinions. Someone believes that it is necessary to keep the post strictly according to the regulations, the only one refuses meat, and the next one "does not eat fish, but eats a person," as Seraphim of Sarov said. It means - from animal products refuses and post zealously observes, but the near-disturbance with its anger and irritability does not. But who needs this post? Fasting is the same, first of all spiritual abstinence, and then physical.
So, the Church Fathers say that fasting is necessary, as someone can do. Some pundits believe that severely limiting eating is useful for a healthy person, but the patient should have great relaxation, especially if the illness is serious. Clerics also hold to this opinion, arguing that the Church does not force a person to take on what is beyond his power. The rules of fasting are created to the maximum and there is no separation of monks and laymen in them, therefore everyone must determine his own measure of abstinence. And if the fast breaks, then one must lament over his infirmity, so that the Lord will forgive it.
Disease is already a limitation in itself, says Father John, and if a person does not complain at the time of illness, but takes it kindly, realizing that this is all from our sins, then this is already a move. And if at the same time he does not restrict himself too much in food, but his heart is peaceful and the mood is joyful, then the post is so correct. And if a person at this time does charity works, helps the needy, shares a piece of bread - this post is all the more pleasing to God.
How fast a modern person - general recommendations
In former times, of course, people were more strictly fasted. But then the ecology was different, people were healthier. The food was natural and water-clean, key, useful for humans. We are now much different from the ancestors of the ancients with their own health, moreover, both physical and, undoubtedly, spiritual. Everyone agrees, including clergymen and doctors. Therefore, the traditions of our ancestors are not entirely acceptable to us, today, with our crazy mumps, city vanity and nervous overloads.
Orthodox physicians assert that the main purpose of fasting is to cleanse the heart from sins, to stop in everyday vanity and think about your life, about deeds and deeds, about your surroundings. Purify the heart of anger, condemnation, envy, pride and add to your life at least a little more love and compassion for others.
Therefore, it is incorrect to relate fasting only to food restrictions. Fasting is a training of will, an effort that a person makes over himself, refusing from addictions, habits, drunkenness, gluttony and a relaxed way of life. Share a piece of bread to the competing, guide the patient and help the old man - and your post will be more propitious to the Lord than if you starve, but in your heart will reside anger and hatred towards others.
Summarizing, we can identify the main points of the post today:
- Observe Lent, and also during the year without fail - Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Lent without meat and dairy to carry.
- The first and last weeks - a strict post, in the rest - you can afford fish and seafood.
- Delicious treats on weekends allow.
- Do not follow the monastic rule and do not impose an improper zeal on yourself and others.
- Train yourself in the affairs of charity, bring up love for people and help the suffering.
- Go to church, confess and receive communion.
- Do not entertain, lead a more calm and balanced way of life. Not to keep in the heart of anger, anger, irritability and dislike, not to condemn anyone and not to slander. Do not be at enmity with anyone, be tolerant of other people's shortcomings and try to correct your own.
These are the rules that can be overpowered by every person who wants to fast and keep his soul clean.