Lent: when does Lent start and how long does it last?

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

In Orthodoxy, there are a large number of fasting days a year. Most of them fall for long periods. They are timed to coincide with great holidays, and there are four such fasts, and Great Lent is considered the most important. Each of them has a special meaning for believers, and the beginning of fasting can fall on different days (there are fixed ones, and there are floating ones). They also differ in their duration.

The most important Christian fast is Easter

The days before Easter (Lent) and Easter itself are perhaps 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. Great Lent begins on the first Monday after Forgiveness Sunday. Another name for it is the Holy Forty Day (in memory of the refusal of Jesus from food for forty days, shortly after baptism).

Since there is no fixed date for this post, manythe question may arise as to how to calculate it. The easiest way can be to purchase a church calendar, where all the significant dates of the year will be indicated. More information about what date the post starts will be described below.

The spiritual meaning of Great Lent

In our time, fasting is perceived by many as almost like a diet. In a sense, this is, of course, true, but the most important thing is not always on the surface. So here - the truth should be sought within. And it is such that the days of fasting must be devoted to spiritual purification, and only the body should be in second place.

Of course, because of this, the following question may arise: “Why then limit yourself to food?” The whole point is that the restriction of the body stimulates the work of the spirit. When a person stops thinking about anything other than prayer and repentance, he begins to turn to God, to see what has been hidden from his eyes until now (his vices, for example).

It is also believed that fasting is an excellent opposition to the devilish temptations. After all, it is not for nothing that the monks pacify their bodies constantly. Of course, you should not think that fasting is a punishment. A person who constantly observes it makes his heart thin and susceptible to the penetration of the Holy Spirit.

It should also be remembered that food restrictions can lead to irritability, anger, anger. This is all that you need to get rid of during fasting. Therefore, many confessors recommend measuring your strengths and capabilities so that fasting brings only benefits. At first times it is better to observe it a little softer in order to know everything.the pitfalls of your soul.

Beginning of Easter Lent

The beginning of Great Lent, as mentioned above, is set for Monday, which comes immediately after Forgiveness Sunday. The date depends on what day Easter falls on. This is a different date each year, as it is calculated according to the lunar calendar. So, seven weeks before Easter, Lent begins.

This great Orthodox holiday comes on the first Sunday of the spring full moon. This day falls on or after the vernal equinox. Another point is also taken into account - when the Jewish Passover is celebrated. This Orthodox holiday should be celebrated after it.

The first week of Great Lent is the strictest. During it, the strictest refusal of food is observed (especially in the first two days). Also this week the services are longer than other days.

Holy Fortecost

The first six weeks of fasting (before Holy Week) are special days that are set in memory of the forty-day fast of Jesus Christ. The first week, as it was written above, is the most strict. The first Monday of Lent is popularly called "pure". During Lent every Sunday, special events and special saints are commemorated.

There is no liturgy at this time on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, except for those days when it is a holiday. In the same way, as usual, they celebrate the morning service, and instead of Vespers, Great Compline is served. Wednesday and Friday are dedicated to the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Mandatory on the first five Sundaysthe liturgy of St. Basil the Great, and on Saturdays they celebrate the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

Significant dates during Lent

During Lent, there are a lot of days of remembrance, in addition to those mentioned above. For example, the beginning of Lent, namely the first four days at the vespers, the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is read. The first Friday is dedicated to the reading of the canon to Fyodor Tiron, as well as the distribution of the consecrated koliva.

The first Sunday of Lent is the “Triumph of Orthodoxy”, when icons are placed on lecterns in the temple, and prayer singing is performed at the end of the liturgy.

The second Sunday is dedicated to St. Gregory Palamas. On the third Sunday of Lent they worship the holy cross, so the next week is called the Adoration of the Cross.

The fourth Sunday is dedicated to St. John of the Ladder. The fifth Sunday of Lent is the following of Mary of Egypt and the hope for forgiveness after sincere repentance.

Lazarus Saturday is also especially significant, when his resurrection is remembered. The sixth Sunday is the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. People call this holiday Palm Sunday.

Holy Week and exit from Lent

The beginning of the Orthodox fast and its end are very strict in terms of observing meals. Its 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 should be spent in prayer and fasting.

The first three days of this week remember the last conversationsJesus Christ with his disciples and people. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is also celebrated, and the Gospel is read. Wednesday of the last week of Lent commemorates the moment when Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ.

On Thursday of Holy Week, before the Vespers, those parts from the Gospel are read, which speak of the sufferings of Christ. Then Vespers begin and continue into Friday morning.

On Friday, the shroud is taken out, which symbolizes the removal from the cross of the body of Christ, and after his burial. On Saturday, this shroud is carried around the temple, which symbolizes the descent of Christ into hell and his victory over death and hell. This is how the post ends.

Eating rules during Lent

Easter fasting is not only a spiritual abstinence from swearing, bad thoughts and the like, but also bodily abstinence. At this time, you can not eat fish and meat products, eggs, drink wine and milk, vegetable oil should be excluded. Food should be taken no more than once a day.

Saturdays and Sundays are less strict. At this time, you can add vegetable oil to food, as well as drink a small amount of wine. However, this does not apply to the Saturday that falls on Holy Week.

Two times since the start date of the post, you can eat fish. This is for the feast of the Annunciation, as well as on Palm Sunday. You can still eat fish caviar, but only once, namely on Lazarus Saturday. It comes before Palm Sunday.

Also, the first week of Lent and the last week are the strictest. According to the rules, the first two days you can not eat at all. The last week (Holy Week) - only dry food, you can not eat fried, boiled, baked and other similar foods.

Of course, all prescriptions are sometimes difficult to follow, especially for those who do it for the first time, sick or infirm. Also less strictly apply to pregnant women and children. Priests advise to measure your strength and not to do what is impossible to do. There should be some strictness, but it should not harm the body. The most important thing to pay attention to during fasting is spiritual cleansing, prayers according to one’s strength, and visiting the temple. Before embarking on partial abstinence, you should receive the blessing of the priest.

Other rules while fasting

In addition to all of the above, on Easter fast (and in any other) you should limit yourself to entertainment for the body (disco dances, going to cafes, restaurants, watching various entertainment programs, etc.). If there are children in the family, then it is worth restricting 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 fasting is the marital relationship. According to the rules, they must be limited (that is, they should not be during fasting). However, here, too, one should enter into the position of the family. If a husband and wife live a church life, constantly attend the temple, and fasting is not an empty phrase for them, then sexual life at this time shouldabsent. Even if someone changes their mind, the spouse must refuse. Of course, if the other half does not share the spiritual aspirations of the spouse, then, of course, you should not bring this to a break in relations. In general, we can say that in this regard, everything is very individual. If there are any difficulties, it is better to consult with the confessor.

Note about other rules as well. It is necessary to refrain from slander, swear words, evil and sinful thoughts. You should also refrain from smoking and alcohol. This is a time of spiritual cleansing, which should be done.

Summer fasts in Orthodoxy

Also in Orthodoxy there are two summer fasts - one at the beginning of this season, the other at the end. Each has a shorter duration than Lent, and they are also timed to coincide with certain holidays.

The beginning of Lent - Assumption - should be counted two weeks before August 28, when, in fact, the Assumption of the Mother of God is celebrated. It is considered the shortest among the four fasts, but it is similar in severity to Easter.

There is also Peter's fast, which can last from two to five weeks before the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Its length depends on what date Easter falls in the year. In addition, it is considered the easiest and fastest.

Christmas post

The second longest is the Christmas Lent. It is not as strict as, for example, Lent. The beginning of the Nativity Fast was laid forty days before the Nativity of Christ, which falls onseventh of January. Although fasting is not strict, before Christmas Eve one should abstain from food until the service ends and the stars appear. Only after that you can eat juicy or uzvar. Directly on the seventh of January, regardless of what day this date falls on, you can eat everything.

Other Orthodox posts

Lent and the other three Lent are not the only ones in Orthodoxy. There are also small posts. For example, every week there are two fast days - Wednesday and Friday. Also, a strict fast should be observed on September 11 - the day of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, September 27 - on the day of the Ex altation of the Cross of the Lord, January 18 - on Epiphany Christmas Eve.

You need to keep track of how the beginning of the post went. If it is difficult for you to observe it strictly, then be sure to consult with your confessor to facilitate its flow. But in no case do not refuse to comply, this is good for both your soul and body.