Lent: when the beginning of the fast and what its duration

In Orthodoxy there is a large number of fasting days in the year. Most of them fall for long periods. They are timed to the great holidays, and there are four such posts, and the most important is the 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.

The most important Christian post is the Easter

Pre-Easter days (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. 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 have a question about 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.

The spiritual meaning of Lent

In our time, many people perceive fast as a diet. In a sense, this is certainly true, 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 following question may arise: "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 fasting is an excellent opposition to devilish temptations. It is not for nothing that 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 restrictions can 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 strengths and abilities so that fasting can only benefit. For the first time, it is better to observe it a little softer to find out all the pitfalls of your soul.

The beginning of the Easter fast

The beginning of Lent, as already mentioned above, is laid for Monday, which goes right after the Forgiveness Sunday. The date also depends on what day the Passover falls on. 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 on the first Sunday of the spring full moon. This day falls on the day of the vernal equinox or after it. Also, one more moment is 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 most strict refusal of food is observed (especially in the first two days). Also this week, worship services are more durable than on other days.

Holy Fourteen

The first six weeks of fasting (until 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 strictest. The first Monday of the fast in the people is called "clean." In Lent every Sunday, special events and special saints are recalled.

At this time on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday there is no liturgy except those days when it is a holiday. As usual, they perform a morning service, and instead of vespers, a great compliment takes place. Wednesday and Friday are dedicated to the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. In the first five Sundays, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is compulsory, and on Saturdays they perform the Liturgy of John Chrysostom.

Significant dates during fasting

During the Fourteen months, there are many days of memory, in addition to those mentioned above. For example, the beginning of the fast, namely the first four days at the evening is read the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. The first Friday is devoted to reading the canon of Fedor Tiron, as well as the distribution of the consecrated colic.

The first Sunday of fasting is "The Triumph of Orthodoxy", when icons are placed in the temple on the analogues, and at the end of the Liturgy a moleben singing is performed.

The second Sunday is dedicated to St. Gregory Palamas. On the third Sunday of the fast, the holy cross is worshiped, so the next week is called the Crusade.

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

Lazarev is also very important Saturday, when his resurrection is remembered. The sixth Sunday is the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. In the people this holiday is called Palm Sunday.

Passionate Week and leaving the post

The beginning of the Orthodox fast and its end are very strict in observance of meals. His last week is called Holy 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 last conversations of Jesus Christ with his disciples and people. Also the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is performed, the Gospel is read. On Wednesday of the last week of the fast, the moment when Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ is remembered.

On Thursday of Holy Week, before the All-Night Vigil, those parts from the Gospel read about the sufferings of Christ. Then begins the All-night Vigil, which passes on the morning of Friday.

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 laid around the temple, symbolizing the descent of Christ into hell and his victory over death and hell. So the post ends.

Nutrition rules during fasting

The Easter fasting is not only spiritual abstinence from swearing, bad thoughts and the like, but also physical restraint. At this time, you can not eat fish and meat products, eggs, drink wine and milk, you should exclude lean oil. Food should not be taken more than once a day.

The days of Saturday and Sunday are less strict. At this time, you can add to the meal lean oil, as well as drink a small amount of wine. However, this does not apply to that Saturday, which falls on the Holy Week.

Two times since the start date of the post, you can eat fish. This is for the Feast of the Annunciation, and also for Palm Sunday. Still you can eat fish eggs, but only once, namely in Lazarev Saturday. It comes before Palm Sunday.

Also the first week of fasting and the last are the most stringent. By the rules the first two days you can not eat at all. Last week (Passionate Seed) - food is only dry, you can not eat fried, boiled, baked and other similar food.

Of course, all prescriptions can sometimes be difficult to fulfill, especially for those who do this for the first time, are sick or weak. Also less strict apply to pregnant women and children. Clergymen are advised to measure their strength and not do what is impossible to accomplish. There must be some severity, but it should not harm the body. The most important thing that needs to be paid attention during the fast is spiritual cleansing, praying by force, visiting the temple. Before you start incomplete abstinence, you should receive the blessing of the priest.

Other rules during the post

In addition to all of the above, in the Easter post (and in any other), you should limit yourself to amusements for the body (disco dancing, hiking in cafes, restaurants, watching various entertainment programs, etc.). If the family has children, then it is necessary to limit them from watching cartoons (if possible), as well as from various sweets. Of course, you first need to explain to your children why it's done.

A very important point during the post are marital relations. According to the rules, they need to be limited (that is, during fasting they should not be). But here, too, should be included in the position of the family. If the husband and wife live a church life, they constantly visit the temple and for them fasting is not an empty phrase, then the sex life at this time should be absent. Even if someone has 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 this about before the rupture of the relationship. In general, we can say that everything is very individual in this respect. If there are any difficulties, it is better to consult a confessor.

It should also be noted about other rules. It is necessary to refrain from slander, abusive words, malicious and sinful thoughts. Also, you should refrain from smoking and alcohol. This is a time of spiritual purification, which is what we should do.

Summer Orthodoxy Posts

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, also they are timed to specific holidays.

The beginning of the post - Uspensky - should be counted two weeks before August 28, when, in fact, the Assumption of the Mother of God is celebrated. It is considered to be the shortest among the four posts, but in strictness it is similar to the Paschal.

Still there is the Petrov fast, which can last from two to five weeks before the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Its length depends on the number of Easter in the year. In addition, it is considered the easiest and fastest passing.

Christmas post

The second in duration is Christmas. He is not as strict as, for example, Lent. The beginning of the Christmas fast is laid forty days before Christmas, which falls on the seventh of January. Although the fast is not strict, but before Christmas Eve should refrain from food until the service is over and the stars appear. Only after that you can eat osobova or uzvar. On the seventh of January, in spite of the date on which this day falls, you can eat everything.

Other Orthodox Posts

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

It is necessary to monitor the beginning of the post. If it is difficult for you to keep it strictly, then be sure to consult a confessor in order to facilitate its flow. But in any case, do not give up compliance, this is good for your soul and body.