Great post - cleansing the mind, soul and body fromexcesses and negative emotions. This is a tireless work on yourself, getting rid of sin. Time for reconciliation and mercy. Tame pride, vanity, anger, envy. Physical and spiritual abstinence, which is designed to prepare a person to repentance.
When the post ends, the need for daily prayers is gone,good deeds, good relations. After him, the person decides whether to be piety in his heart. The conscious choice of spirituality is the main goal of Christianity.
The church statute explains that the Orthodoxfasting - for clergy and monks. If the lay person does not have the strength and ability to withstand it all, then you should turn to the priest. Depending on the state of health and the material situation of a person, he will relax or allow one to confine himself to prayers.
Fasting is abstinence from taking lavish food.It cannot be started at will. All multi-day and one-day posts are confined to memorable dates. Therefore, the statute spelled out when the post ends and begins.
Всего в году 4 длительных периода воздержания от ambitious food. The clergy recommend that the laity only keep themselves from excess during fasting, and not bring the body to a painful state by a strict restriction on food.
The main purpose of the post - the purification of the physical andspiritual submission of the body to the spirit. You can allow relief in food due to illness. Fasting should not be harmful to health. But daily prayers, modesty and kindness in a relationship should last the entire period until the moment when the fast ends. At the end of abstinence, the Christian himself decides whether to continue to be well-behaved or not.
The history of fasting began inthe times of the apostles. They are the ones who witness the life journey of the Savior. The apostles testify that before his baptism, Christ spent 40 days in the wilderness. Loneliness, the absence of full-fledged food, meditation and prayer are the fundamental moments of the onset of fasting.
You should know that the Savior was subjected to the temptations of Satan during his time in the wilderness. He stood the test, giving up bread and power.
In a desire to become like the Savior and was formeda forty day fast. Later it was timed to Easter - the brightest holiday in Christianity. The passion of Christ with its tragedy and subsequent heavenly glory gave special meaning to the whole four-grader. Post before Easter called the Great. It involves not only a restriction in food, but also in worldly joys.
You should start and finish the fast properly, pray to avoid temptations. To concentrate forces and possibilities on the spiritual struggle with them.
Over time, a few more memorable dates were added to the four-dozen Ecumenical Council.
Therefore, the post lasts 48 days.It begins on the day after Sunday Forgiveness. Easter is the day when the post ends. Every year it falls on different dates. This is due to the fact that the calculation of the days of celebration or fasting is determined by the astronomical calendar.
For example, in 2016, Lent will begin on March 14th. The numbers of 2015 are February 23 (the beginning of the fast) and April 12 (the holiday of Easter).
Fasting is a time for the soul.Restriction in food can bring anxiety, irritability. And this is unacceptable during any post. Therefore, much attention should be paid to relationships with loved ones. Avoid quarrels and bad mood. There will be no benefit in abstaining from food if a person is angry or lies. Therefore, good relations with people and mercy are so important.
Daily prayers will help keep your soul from evil. You can attend church services. The priests recommend confining themselves to a few prayers, but read them daily, with the love of God.
If there is an opportunity, then add reading akaphists, the Psalms, canons in moderation. If you wish to join them to the works of Seraphim of Sarov, John Chrysostom, Augustine of the Blessed.
The church provides for exceptions during the post. It may not be observed in general or partially ill, traveling, minor children, pregnant and lactating women.
Fasting is not intended to bring harm to health. Therefore, if there are concerns, you should discuss them with the priest, the attending physician. It is necessary to gradually prepare for fasting, step by step limiting oneself in food.
Products of animal origin (meat, eggs, milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter) are prohibited during the whole fast. Baking, sweets, fast food are not allowed.
When the Great Post ends, should not pounce on a festive treat. This can lead to serious health problems. It is necessary to gradually increase the diet for 2-3 weeks.
It must be remembered that for laymen the severity of the post- optional. It is better to devote this time to enhanced spiritual growth. If health allows, you can adhere to restrictions in food throughout the period of Lent.
Porridges are cooked in water, without adding oil.Vegetables and fruits are allowed for laymen in any form - boiled, baked, stewed. Nuts, honey, legumes, dried fruits, greens, jelly, tea, jam. It is permissible to consume alcohol during fasting up to 2 glasses to maintain the body - no more.
When the fast ends, on the morning of Easter,try not to abuse meat, alcohol, pastry baking. It is better to limit one egg per day. Prefer not fresh, but yesterday's pastries. Add meat to the diet on day 3 after fasting, before that eat fish.
Fasting before Easter - time to improveyour soul. This is a renunciation of pleasures, excesses in all. The time of thoughts, prayers, loneliness, good deeds. It is necessary to consciously refer to Lent. Determine your physical and spiritual abilities, to avoid extremes.
It is not recommended to deplete your body with fasting or enhanced prayers. Nor should he completely abandon it, devoting himself only to pleasures.
Gradually restrain emotions, pacify the flesh.Avoid anger and irritation. Try to avoid guests (as far as possible). Intimate relationships of spouses are prohibited during fasting. Try to analyze your relationships, make adjustments for their improvement. Ask for forgiveness and forgive offenders.
If this is the very first post in life, you need to ask for help from the priest. He will advise where to begin, how to do works of mercy and overcome pride, how to participate in the liturgy, what prayers to read at home.
Holy Week is the last week before Easter. It is called great every day. This week is the last days of the earthly life of the Savior. His torment, suffering, reflections.
No wonder the phrase "carry your cross" means notonly physical abilities or weaknesses. It is the awareness of your path, its understanding and acceptance. Not every person is able to submit to the will of God, many try to avoid their problems or pass them on to other people.
For each person prepared their own way.Therefore, the foundations of Christianity consist in avoiding envy, pride, anger, hypocrisy, revenge, and vanity. Accepting the path, agreeing with it brings humility, repentance.
The last week before Easter should be devotedyourself strengthened fasting prayer. And also to clean up the house. General cleaning will help clean the room from the accumulated negative. Water will wash away negative energy. The cleanliness of the house, body, soul will be evidence of the approaching bright Easter holiday.
Worthy to bear your cross, your sufferings aloneof the possibilities of spiritual improvement in man. Another possibility is to help others. Often, behind his illnesses, losses, or trials, a person does not see the weakness of another. Reluctance to help, refusal of mercy are indifferent. Therefore, so often in prayers to God, there are basic requests for patience, humility, the tradition of the strength to bear your cross.
Last week before Easter is an opportunitythe realization that the Savior endured, the spiritual burden he endured for the people. Therefore, Lent as a whole is not a gastronomic constraint, but a pacification of its negative manifestations. From idleness and idle talk requests to abandon for this period Orthodoxy. Fast - a call for virtue, a special state of mind and mind. The value of the Great Lent is to approach God, His Grace.
