Lent is one of the most important periods in the calendar of the Orthodox believer. Great reverence allows you to prepare for the big holiday - Holy Pascha, to purify yourself spiritually and physically, and also to get closer to God. That is why the fast before Christ's Sunday is given increased attention by believers.
History of Lent
Proper Lent has a long history. According to scientists, the first mention of Great Reverence was written by Saint Athanasius the Great in his Easter message. In accordance with Scripture, fasting begins 6 weeks before the feast of life, hope and joy. The period lasts for 40 days, excluding Saturday and Sunday, as well as Holy Week before Easter.
In modern concepts, Lent is associated with the period of Christ's wandering in the wilderness. However, there is no such mention in the message of Athanasius the Great. But, despite this, the fast of the Holy Lent is characterized by ascetic preparation for this grandiose religious holiday.
The final establishment of Great Lent happened only at the end of the 4th - beginning of the 5th century. Greatfasting by day in different areas was observed not according to a single canon. Both the rules of spiritual purification themselves and the food that was permissible for Christians during the specified period differed.
Parts of Lent
If you cover Great Lent by day, then the entire period can be divided into 4 important stages. Forty days is a fasting period that lasts for 40 days. This stage is a symbol of the life of Christ in the wilderness before the sermon. At this time, one should fight all sins with the help of prayer, appeals to the Lord, and an ascetic lifestyle. Here it is very important to know what to eat in Lent, what prayers to say, what time to go to services.
The second important stage of the Great Reverence is Lazarus Saturday. In the Christian calendar, on this day, they remember the miracle that Christ performed - the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus resurrected the deceased Lazarus, while forcing him to rise from the tomb on the 4th day after death. Such a phenomenon instilled in the Jews faith in God, in Jesus Christ. Therefore, when the Son of the Lord entered Jerusalem, the local Jews met him as a King, laying palm branches and their clothes at his feet.
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, or Palm Sunday, symbolizes the Second Coming of Christ. These were the last days when Jesus Christ was an earthly inhabitant. The time was approaching when the Son of God would be put to death on the cross.
The final stage of Great Lent is Holy Week lasting 6 days. During this period, you should know for sure that Great Lent is onevery day has its own specific canons. Since the time of mourning has come, when believers remember all the torments of the Son of the Lord, his death and burial.
Preparing for Lent
To prepare for Great Lent, one should not only learn how to fast during Great Lent, but also realize the very fact of this asceticism. To get closer to God, it is not enough just to refuse fast food. It is necessary to cleanse yourself mentally, forgive all your enemies, get rid of anger and anger. Prayers should contain words of appeal to God for help, healing and cleansing. The grace of the Lord will descend on all who ask during this period.
Conversations with a priest
As soon as you understand that the first week of Great Lent is coming soon, you should go to church and talk to the clergyman. Why is this needed? This is necessary so that the clergyman can explain what to eat in Lent in accordance with age, he alth status. Every post should be worth it. Therefore, the Church allows sick people, pregnant and lactating women, travelers and children to refrain from fasting.
Saving Week
Lent (the first day and the entire following week), in accordance with Orthodox canons, is considered a period of cleansing believers from sins. What is happening at this time? In the first days of Great Lent, all clergy urge their parishioners to take the path of the Lord, to get rid of all the vices and sins that they received during their earthly life. Get rid of this spiritualcargo is possible only through fasting, humility and prayer.
The first days of Great Lent, like the last week, are spent in the church with the greatest zeal of both the clergy themselves and the parishioners. It is at this time that spiritual and physical feats are carried out. Food in Great Lent (the first day) is a forbidden fruit for all believers. In accordance with Orthodox customs, food is not supplied on the first two days of Lent (and for the physically able - on the first four days). Thus, the body is cleansed of the vices of earthly life.
The first week of Lent is marked by lengthy sermons. Divine services begin with the canon of St. Andrew of Crete during Compline. Scripture awakens in the soul of believers a special repentance, humility and increases the mood to observe fasting. Other scriptures during the first week are the hymns of Joseph and Theodore the Studites, which are obligatory for preaching in the church.
How to fast?
The question of how to fast during Great Lent remains the most crucial for believers. During Great Reverence, it is recommended to completely exclude from food all foods and dishes that contain meat and offal. Milk, cheese, vegetable oil, fish, eggs and other fast foods are prohibited. Do not forget about alcohol, which is taboo during Lent.
However, there are some indulgences that become possible during the holidays. So, fish and all derivative products can be eaten on the AnnunciationHoly Mother of God, on Palm Sunday. Fish caviar becomes available on Lazarus Saturday.
What can you eat in the first week of Lent?
As noted above, the first week of Lent is quite strict. It is recommended to abstain from food completely. However, those who decide to fast for the first time should not completely deprive themselves of the meal. Entry into the fast should be gradual, without a sharp rejection of meat and fish.
Great Lent (the first day) is associated among Orthodox believers with cleansing and repentance before God, which comes after Forgiveness Sunday. On the first day, it is customary to clean up the house, wash and put on clean clothes. The intestines also require cleansing, so there are strict requirements for the meal.
In the monastery, according to the charter, all confessors must completely refuse food on the first day. To maintain strength, only holy water is offered. Lay people on the first day of fasting are allowed to eat raw food of non-animal origin. In other words, during this period of time raw food is common. Fruits, vegetables, bread and water are allowed. Great Lent, the first day and the second in particular, follows the same scenario.
On the third, fourth and fifth day, according to church canons, it is recommended to eat hot food, but without the addition of oils. Mushrooms, oven-roasted vegetables, lean soups, honey, and fruits can serve as main ingredients.
On Saturday and Sunday, lay people are allowed to eat dishes with the addition ofa small amount of oil. In addition, on the Sabbath day you can drink light grape wine. Food should be hot, contain vitamins.
What can you eat on the second week of Lent?
The second week of Great Lent is quite strict. Of the seven days, there are three for dry eating: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These days, you should adhere to a strict menu, which can contain only raw vegetables, fruits, bread and water. On Tuesday, Thursday, laymen are allowed to eat steamed food, but without the addition of vegetable oil of any type. The meal can be varied with lean cereals, vegetable soup, oven-baked mushrooms. On Saturday and Sunday, the fast is softened. On these days, the laity can eat food with vegetable oil and drink a glass of wine.
What can you eat on the third week of Lent?
The third week of Great Lent in the church lexicon is listed as the Adoration of the Cross. During this period, parishioners should reflect on what it means to "bear your cross." The post is still strict. On Monday, a raw food diet is recommended. It is better to give preference to nuts, figs, raisins, fruits and vegetables. On Tuesday, you can include boiled or baked food in the amount of 200 grams in the meal. On the Wednesday of the Cross, it is allowed to eat two dishes with a little oil, as well as to drink a glass of grape wine. Saturday is Parent Universe Saturday.
What can you eat in the fourth, fifth and sixth week of Lent?
The presented weeks of fasting do not differ from the first three. However, insome days are allowed indulgences for fasting. On the feast of the Annunciation, confessors are allowed to eat fish food once a day. In addition, you can taste dishes with butter, as well as drink a glass of wine. On Lazarus Saturday, when Christians remember the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, fish caviar is allowed in quantities up to 100 grams. Oil and grape wine can be used.
Holy Week
Passion Week begins on Palm Sunday, when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem. What do they eat during Great Lent in Holy Week? On Sunday, laymen are allowed to eat hot cooked food without oil. Next, the post gets tougher:
- Maundy Monday is the day when confessors remember the prototype of Jesus Christ - Patriarch Joseph. On this day, dry eating is recommended 1 time per day. A serving should not exceed 200 grams. Food should be raw, without oil added. As a drink, you can choose a decoction of berries with honey.
- Maundy Tuesday is marked by the sermon of the son of God, which was read in Jerusalem. The chief priests asked Jesus incriminating questions about the second coming, but did not dare to arrest him because of the betrayed people. On Tuesday, lay people eat raw food: vegetables, fruits, nuts, bread.
- Great Wednesday in Christian Scripture is overshadowed by the betrayal of Judas. In addition, the anointing of Jesus Christ took place on this day. On this day, dry eating should be preferred. From a drink, choose water or a decoction (tincture) of berries onhoney.
- Maundy Thursday. On this day, one of the most important events took place - the Last Supper. On Thursday, Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples. It was a gesture of brotherly love as well as divine humility. At the Last Supper, a rite was established, called Holy Communion (according to the Gospel). On this day, confessors take bread and wine, thus referring to the body and blood of the Son of God, remembering the suffering of Christ.
- Good Friday. Good Friday is marked by the arrest of Jesus Christ, his trial, the way of the cross, crucifixion and death on the cross. On this day, the laity do not eat anything. The elderly are allowed to take bread and water after sunset.
- Great Saturday is dedicated to the memories of how Christ arrived in the tomb and descended into hell to save the souls of the dead from eternal torment. On this day, it is recommended to abstain from food until Easter.
How to get out of a fast?
What they eat in Lent is not the only issue that needs clarification. To avoid complications, special attention should be paid to breaking the fast. The process of leaving the fast should be gradual. This is due to the fact that over the past seven weeks the body has adapted to light plant foods. Therefore, in the Easter week, you should gradually dilute the menu with food of animal origin. This will allow the production of enzymes that help the processing of a heavy meal.
Lent is a time of hope and humility, which is achieved through spiritual rapprochement with God and physical cleansing. But don't resort tofasting if there are he alth problems.
