Lent is the longest (lasts 48 days) and strict of the multi-day fasts of the Orthodox Church. Established in memory of the Savior's 40-day fast, is the highest manifestation of the ascetic ideal of Christianity and a great spiritual feat. The first six weeks of Lent in the canons are called the Holy Pentecost, the last of the weeks before the bright holiday of Easter is Holy Week. Let's talk today about how to properly observe Lent ?
How to properly observe the Great Lent - the name of the weeks
- Triumph of Orthodoxy. The first week of Lent is connected with memories of the unconditional victory of the Church over enemies who sought to pervert the essence of faith.
- St. Gregory Palamas. Glorifies the champion of monastic life, the spokesman of the church doctrine of the blessed heavenly light.
- Cross-worshiping. Reminds believers that the salvation of the soul without the patience of suffering and sorrow, struggle with passions and sins is impossible.
- St. John of the Ladder. The Fourth Week of Great Lent gives memory to St. John the ascetic, who devoted all his earthly life to monastic deeds.
- The Monk Maria of Egypt. It is dedicated to the life of Mary of Egypt - a sinner, who showed an example of the depth of the fall of the sinful and fertile uprising.
- The entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem. Praises the beginning of the Lord's Way of the Cross.
- Holy Week. It is dedicated to the memories of the Last Supper, crucifixion, suffering, burial of Jesus Christ.
Attend worship to properly observe Lent
How to observe the Great Lent - go to solemn services
The Church offers the laity to attend services as much as possible and refrain from fast food. Prayers in the days of Lent should be more in-depth and penitential. Each day, except Sundays and Saturdays, the prayers of the Monk Ephrem the Syrian are read in the churches, the first four days of the Holy Fourth Covenant at the Compline are read the penitential canon of the Monk Andrew of Crete, on Thursday the 5th Vespers the vespers with the communion are performed - the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
On Sundays Lenturgy of St. Basil the Great is read. In the Annunciation, Vespers are served, combined with the liturgy of John Chrysostom. On Holy Thursday of Holy Week in the Orthodox churches after the Liturgy of Basil the Great, the footing of the feet is performed, in the evening reading of the 12 Gospel of the Passion of the Lord, one of the most beautiful and lasting services of the church year. Great Friday is a day of strict fasting, in which the Liturgy is not served. The evening and the removal of the Shroud pass after noon, then the "Weeping of the Most Holy Theotokos" is sung. On the Great Sabbath, a divine service is performed, on which the Gospel and the illumination of the Easter dishes are read.
Observance of the Lent implies earnest prayer
How to comply with the Great Post fast food table
In the canons of the Orthodox Church, very strict rules regarding the Great Lent are prescribed, but they are obligatory for observance only in the monastery walls. Laymen are allowed various indulgences depending on the state of health and life circumstances. Pregnant women and children under the age of seven, from the need to fast are freed.
What can you do during Lent
- fruits / vegetables: peas, pomegranates, citrus fruits, bananas, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beets, apples, cucumbers;
- cereals: wheat, buckwheat, barley, rice, oatmeal, corn;
- pasta: rye / wheat flour, macaroni;
- sweets: halva, marmalade, jam, jam, bitter chocolate;
- pickles, mushrooms (honey agarics, champignons, white, chanterelles, oyster mushrooms), dried fruits (figs, prunes, raisins, dried apricots);
- nuts, rusks, black bread;
- germinated grains of wheat, maize, oats;
- beans: soy, lentils, peas, beans;
- tea, honey.
During the observance of Lent, refuse fast food
What is not allowed during Lent
- meat / meat products, fish (except for non-strict days);
- eggs, poultry, dairy products / milk;
- alcohol, baking, baking, sweets;
- ice cream, traditional cakes, milk chocolate, desserts with creams
Strict and not strict days
The last of the weeks before Easter and the first four days of fasting are considered to be the harshest days. On Good Friday and Pure Monday, the church statute completely prohibits meals. On the first Friday of the fast, it is allowed to eat boiled wheat sweetened with sugar or honey.
On other days, the believers' menu should be made according to the schedule:
- Friday, Wednesday, Monday: compotes, fruits, vegetables, water, black bread;
- Thursday, Tuesday: hot food without adding oil;
- Sunday, Saturday: fish, seafood, food with butter.
During Lent, eat only lean food
Basic rules of fasting
- The daily calorie content of the diet should be kept within the usual range - 1500-1900 kcal;
- in the daily menu must necessarily include soy products, cereals, beans, mushrooms, lentils, nuts;
- from drinks it is better to prefer green tea, still mineral water, fresh juices;
- do not overreact to pickles - they increase blood pressure and contribute to exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
- to people with weak health the holy fathers recommend consulting with the confessor and choosing a feasible fasting system;
- it is impossible to start fasting fast - it is fraught with problems with health. In the Orthodox tradition, it is not in vain that the Great Post is preceded by Maslenitsa, when it is possible to eat milk products and milk, it is impossible - poultry and meat;
- fasting provides for the rejection of any abuse - spices, fried, sweet, sour, spicy food is banned.
Purify the soul with repentance during Lent
How to observe Lent with benefit for body and soul
Vegetable food contains much less calories than fish and meat, so during fasting, they should be replenished, including a paste with mushroom / vegetable lean sauces, lean soup with mushrooms , porridge , lean pastries . Do not forget about fruits, vegetables, whole grains, greens, sauerkraut, asparagus.
Observing Lent, you will approach the Savior
The true fast is inextricably linked with sincere repentance, relentless prayer and abstinence from all evil. To observe the Great Lent is to fast spiritually and bodily, approaching the mystery of Christ by repentance, humility, deepening of spiritual life, purification of the heart from sinful thoughts.
The word of the shepherd: how to observe the Great Lent