Orthodox people have been familiar with fasting for centuries. Fasting is not only a restriction in food, that is, a bodily restriction. It also implies spiritual limitations. It is impossible to imagine a human body without a soul. Therefore, to say that one can limit oneself in food and at the same time be spiritually unbridled means not to fast.
How and why to fast
Faith, first of all, lives inside every person. The Lord is in thoughts, deeds, mental anguish. If there is no God inside a person, then fasting does not make sense. This is not a tribute to fashion. This is a kind of hardening, a test of spiritual strength.
If a person manages to refuse everything that can kindle sinful thoughts in him, including abundant food, then he can count on the mercy of God.
When observing fasts in August, as in other months, one should remember that bodily fasting is, first of all, the rejection of tasty and sweet food. The abundance of lean food should also be neglected. If we talk about spiritual abstinence, then the rejection of passionatemovements that delight base vices and lead to sins.
What should and should not be done in fasting?
You should refrain from reading secular literature. It is better to use the Internet only for business purposes, and you should not turn on the TV. If this state of affairs is difficult for the fasting person, you can afford to relax.
It will be expressed in viewing news feeds and programs. In addition, you can not protect yourself from reading spiritual literature, watching programs and films of spiritual content.
Following fasts in August, you need to pray more. Pray not only in the mornings and evenings, but also read the penitential canons. It is during this period that more time should be devoted to repentance and excommunication from passions.
You can repent both at home, in front of the icon, and in the temple under the stole. The priest will not only listen, but also guide with advice on the true path. A conversation with him will help to realize the severity of the perfect deed and ease the soul.
During the fast, and throughout the rest of life, one should do as many good and charitable deeds as possible: help the needy, give alms, make pilgrimage trips, etc.
The most correct result of fasting will be spiritual growth and the rejection of addictions and passions. If you manage to defeat your flesh, then the soul will be able to prevail over it.
Historical background
Speaking of the need to fast, many people ask: what is the fast in August? The answer to it will be more than unambiguous. This monthbelievers, in addition to the one-day, expect a long Assumption fast. In its significance and severity, it is equivalent to Great Lent.
Speaking about its history, it should be noted that the first mention of it dates back to the distant 450. They were able to finally approve the post much later. It happened in 1166, at the Council of Constantinople.
Saint Simeon of Thessalonica said in 1429 that this fast was established precisely in honor of the Mother of God. After all, having learned about her destiny, she worried and fasted for the whole people, although, being a saint, she could not do this. No less diligently she performed prayers and fasts before passing into another life. That is why people should fast and thereby encourage the Mother of God to pray for the entire human race.
The severity of this fast was also noted in tsarist times. In 1917, it was forbidden to hold carnivals or have fun with the performances of jesters during the days of the August fast.
The beginning of the post. Honey Saved
In the Orthodox faith, the leading positions are occupied by the Lord God and the Mother of God. Assumption fast in August includes several church holidays. But for starters, many believers are interested in when fasting begins in August. Since the beginning of the fast is August 14, it coincides with the feast of the Origin (wearing) of the honest trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
The holiday has its roots in the 9th century, in the city of Constantinople. It was there, in the St. Sophia Cathedral, that the cross on which Jesus was crucified was located. At the end of the summer, various epidemics befell Byzantium. Toto somehow smooth the situation, it was decided on August 1, according to the old style (on the 14th - according to the new one), to take the cross out of the temple. Everyone could bow before him and thereby receive protection from adversity. After that, people went to the rivers and springs in a procession to bless the water. It is also important that Prince Vladimir baptized Russia on this very day.
In our time, some call this holiday a honey-savior. On this day, Orthodox people consecrate jars of honey in the temple. This gives additional healing power to an already very useful product. From this day on, honey can be eaten, and housewives can bake delicious pies with it.
The Transfiguration of the Lord and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Orthodox Lent in August is short. Its duration is no more than two weeks. The closing date will be August 27th. In the middle of it, the Orthodox people will celebrate another holiday. They will be the Transfiguration of the Lord. On this day, August 19, the Lord, praying on the mountain with his three disciples, showed them his divine power.
On this day, parishioners bring apples and grapes to the temple. After consecration, they can be eaten. You cannot do this before. The holy fathers said that the early use of these dishes for food was punishable by a ban on their use throughout August. Housewives on this day can do pies with apples and grapes. You can cook compotes and jams with fresh fruit.
The end of the fast will be the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28). Hemarked by the death of the mother of God. According to Scripture, it was on this day that preachers from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem to say goodbye to the Mother of God.
What and how to eat in fasting
Speaking of how to properly observe the fasts in August, you need to remember their severity. It is recommended to eat only foods of plant origin. Food of animal origin is prohibited. To be more specific, the calendars list meals by day.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the Orthodox Church recommends dry eating. Cooked foods are recommended to be excluded. On Tuesday, you can eat boiled food, but do not add oil to it. On Saturday and Sunday, food is prepared with a little sunflower oil. A small amount of wine will allow you to diversify the menu on weekends.
On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, you can allow fish to be added to food. On other days, this is prohibited. On August 28, on the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you can eat any food, since the day is not considered fasting. It is with him that multi-day fasts end in August. And on August 29, parishioners are waiting for a walnut savior.
