In Orthodoxy there is a large numberfasting days in a year. Most of them fall for long periods. They are timed to great holidays, and there are four such posts, and the most important is Great Lent. Each of them has a special significance for believers, and the beginning of fasting can fall on different days (there are fixed, and there are floating). They also differ in duration.
Pre-Easter days (Lent) and Easter itself -this, perhaps, is one of the most significant events in Orthodoxy. It was established as a memory of the forty-day fast of Jesus Christ and is dedicated to his sacrifice in the name of humanity. The beginning of the Great Lent is laid on the first Monday after the Forgiveness Sunday. Another one of its name is the Holy Fourteen (in memory of Jesus' refusal of food for forty days, soon after baptism).
Since there is no fixed date for this post,Many may ask how to calculate it. The simplest way is to purchase a church calendar, which will indicate all the significant dates in the year. For more information about the date of the beginning of the post, see below.
В наше время пост многие воспринимают практически as a diet. In a sense, it is, of course, so, but the most important thing is not always on the surface. So here - the truth should be sought inside. And it is such that the days of fasting must be dedicated to spiritual purification and only the second place should be the body.
Of course, because of this, the followingthe question: "Why then limit yourself to eating?" The whole point is that limiting the body stimulates the work of the spirit. When a person ceases to think about anything other than prayer and repentance, he begins to turn to God, to see what has been hitherto hidden from his eyes (his vices, for example).
It is also believed that the post is excellentopposition to diabolical temptations. It is not for nothing that the monks pacify their bodies all the time. Of course, do not think that fasting is punishment. A person who constantly observes it, makes his heart subtle and receptive to the penetration of the Holy Spirit.
Also, remember that eating restrictionscan lead to irritability, anger, anger. This is all that you need to get rid of during the fast. Therefore, many confessors recommend that you measure your strength and ability so that fasting can only benefit. For the first time, it is better to keep it a little softer to learn all the pitfalls of your soul.
The beginning of Lent, as mentioned above,laid on Monday, which goes right after Forgiveness Sunday. The date depends on which day Easter falls. Each year is a different date, as it is calculated by the lunar calendar. So, seven weeks before Easter, Lent begins.
This great Orthodox holiday comes infirst Sunday of the spring full moon. This day falls on the day of the vernal equinox or after it. Another moment is also taken into account - when Jewish Passover is celebrated. This Orthodox holiday should be celebrated after it.
The first week of Lent is the most severe. During it the most severe refusal of food is observed (especially in the first two days). Also this week, services are longer than on other days.
The first six weeks of fasting (before Passion Week)- These are special days that are set in memory of the forty-day fast of Jesus Christ. The first week, as was written above, is the most severe. The first Monday of fasting is popularly called “clean”. In Lent every Sunday, special events and special saints are remembered.
В это время в понедельник, вторник и четверг не happens liturgy, except on those days when it is a holiday. Just as usual, they perform morning worship, and instead of vespers, great compline is performed. Wednesday and Friday are dedicated to the liturgy of the pre-consecrated gifts. On the first five Sundays, the liturgy of St. Basil the Great is obligatory, and on Saturdays they celebrate the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
Во время Четыредесятницы очень много дней памяти, besides those mentioned above. For example, the beginning of the fast, namely the first four days of the evening, the Great Canon of the Ave. Andrew of Crete is read. The first Friday is devoted to reading the canon to Fyodor Tiron, as well as to the distribution of the consecrated coliva.
The first Sunday of the fast is the “Triumph of Orthodoxy”, when icons are put up on the lecterns in the church, and at the end of the liturgy prayer is performed.
The second Sunday is dedicated to St. Gregory Palaam. On the third Sunday of Lent, the holy cross is worshiped, so the next week is called the Cross.
The fourth Sunday is dedicated to St. To John of the Ladder. The fifth Sunday of Lent is to follow Mary of Egypt and hope for forgiveness after sincere repentance.
Lazarev Saturday is also particularly significant when his resurrection is remembered. The sixth Sunday is the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. People call this holiday Palm Palm.
The beginning of the Orthodox fasting and its end arevery strict on the observance of meals. His last week is called Passion Week. It is dedicated to the events that happened to Jesus on the cross, his torment and suffering. This whole week must pass in prayer and fasting.
The first three days of this week recall the lastconversations of Jesus Christ with his disciples and people. The liturgy of the pre-ordained gifts is also performed, the Gospel is read. On Wednesday of the last week of fasting, the moment is remembered when Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ.
On Thursday, Holy Week, before the all-night vigil, read those parts of the Gospel, which speak of the sufferings of Christ. Then begins the Vigil, which passes on Friday morning.
В пятницу выносится плащаница, что символизирует the removal from the cross of the body of Christ, and after his burial. On Saturday, this shroud is surrounded around the temple, which symbolizes the descent of Christ into hell and its victory over death and hell. So ends the post.
Easter fasting is not only spiritualabstaining from swearing, bad thoughts and the like, but also abstaining from the body. At this time, you can not eat fish and meat products, eggs, drink wine and milk, you should exclude vegetable oil. Food should be taken no more than once a day.
The days of Saturday and Sunday are less severe.At this time, you can add to the food vegetable oil, as well as drink a small amount of wine. However, this does not apply to the Sabbath, which falls on Holy Week.
Twice since the start date camefasting, you can eat fish. This is for the feast of the Annunciation, and also on Palm Sunday. You can also eat caviar, but only once, namely on Lazarus Saturday. It comes before Palm Sunday.
Also the first week of the post and the last arethe most stringent. According to the rules, the first two days you cannot eat at all. Last week (Holy Week) - food is only dry, you can not eat fried, boiled, baked and other similar foods.
Of course, all prescriptions are sometimes difficult.perform, especially those who do it for the first time, sick or feeble. Also less strictly apply to pregnant women and children. The priests advise to measure their strength and not to do what can not be done. There must be some severity, but it should not harm the body. The most important thing that you need to pay attention to during fasting is spiritual cleansing, prayer according to strength, visiting the temple. Before proceeding to partial abstinence, you should receive the blessing of the priest.
In addition to all of the above, on Easterfasting (and in any other) you should limit yourself to body entertainment (disco dancing, going to cafes, restaurants, watching various entertainment programs, etc.). If there are children in the family, then it is worth limiting them from watching cartoons (if possible), as well as from various sweets. Of course, you first need to explain to your children why this is being done.
A very important point during the post aremarital relationship. According to the rules, they should be limited (i.e. there should not be any during fasting). However, here, too, should be included in the position of the family. If the husband and wife live the church life, constantly attend the temple and for them fasting is not an empty phrase, then the sex life at this time should be absent. Even if someone changed his mind, the spouse must refuse. Of course, if the second half does not share the spiritual aspirations of the spouse, then, of course, it is not necessary to bring about this to the end of a relationship. In general, we can say that in this respect everything is very individual. If there are any difficulties, it is better to consult with the confessor.
It should be noted also about other rules.It is necessary to refrain from slander, swear words, evil and sinful thoughts. You should also refrain from smoking and alcohol. This is the time of spiritual purification, and this should be done.
Also in Orthodoxy there are two summer posts — one at the beginning of this season, the other at the end. Each has a shorter duration than Lent, and they also coincide with certain holidays.
The beginning of the post - Ouspensky - should be countedtwo weeks before August 28, when, in fact, the Assumption of the Mother of God is celebrated. It is considered the shortest among the four posts, but in severity it is similar to Easter.
There is also a Petrov post, which can last fromtwo to five weeks before the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Its length depends on the date on which the Easter fell. In addition, it is considered the easiest and fastest.
Вторым по длительности является Рождественский fast. He is not as strict as, for example, Lent. The beginning of the Nativity Fast began forty days before Christ, which falls on the seventh of January. Although the post is not strict, but before Christmas Eve you should refrain from eating until the service ends and the stars appear. Only after that can you taste it with juice or uzvar. Immediately on the seventh of January, despite what day this date falls on, you can eat everything.
The great post and the other three big posts are notthe only ones in Orthodoxy. There are also minor posts. For example, every week there are two fasting days - Wednesday and Friday. Also, a strict fasting should be observed on September 11 - on the day of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, September 27 - the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, January 18 - on Epiphany Eve.
It is necessary to watch how the beginning passed.post. If it is difficult for you to observe it strictly, be sure to consult your confessor to facilitate his flow. But in any case, do not refuse to comply, it is good for both your soul and body.
