What is Lent?

Radiant Resurrection of Christ - a celebration of spring, kindness and rebirth of all living things.For all Christians, it is also one of the greatest religious holidays.It is a day of joy and hope for the future.But everyone knows the Bible, which was in front of this holiday.Therefore, it is preceded by several weeks of rigorous abstinence and reflection.But what is Lent, when he appeared, and what are its main customs and rules, not everyone knows.

essence of Lent

content and nature of this phenomenon can be explained in several ways.By definition, it is a strict religious prohibitions and restrictions on certain period of time to eat all the food or its individual components (milk, meat, and so on. D.).

In a spiritual sense, the essence of Lent - is updated by diligent cleansing of his soul.During this period taken to refrain from all evil and anger.So believers prepare themselves for Easter.

Lent - it is the longest of all the Orthodox positions.It lasts for almost seven weeks.The first six are called "Lent", and the last - "Holy Week."During this period, all the prayers and references to God are different special repentance and humility.This time the church liturgies.Particular importance is attached to Sunday.Each of the seven is devoted to landmark celebrations and events.

believers in the days of Lent have to cope with their emotions, desires, try to take anything for granted and largely indulge.In this period of life is changing dramatically, as well as its values ​​and principles.This kind of ladder to heaven.

history Lent

roots of this religious festival has its origins in ancient times, when due to limited food arose legislated bans taboo.So people are preparing themselves for the perception of divine knowledge and truths.Asked what Lent today, can be answered only by looking at history.

Before finally emerge in the form it is today, the festival was held for several long centuries.It is developed together with the formation and development of the Church itself.Initially Fasting existed as a spiritual and physical self-restraint before the sacrament of baptism during the Easter days at the dawn of history.The origins of this phenomenon and go back to the ancient Passover post in II-III.BC.e.He lasted one night and performed in memory of the Passion of Christ.Subsequently, the Post has lasted up to 40 hours and then to 40 days.

Later, he began to compare with a 40-day journey of Christ and Moses on the searing desert.However, in various towns of this period was calculated in different ways.Also, different and very principles of his conduct.Only in the IV century post was formalized and is decorated in the 69th Apostolic Canon.

views of various religions and doctrines

Besides Orthodox canons, there are also many others of his concepts and variations in individual beliefs.Therefore, the notion that this Lent, every nation completely different.For example, in some Protestant churches has been completely abstain from food and even water.This is due to a special agreement with the community.But this last post, unlike the Orthodox, a fairly short time.

Jews perceive this phenomenon is somewhat different.Usually they fast in honor of a vow, or veneration relatives.Also they exist, and a public holiday Yom Kippur.On this day limit yourself to the laws of Moses.According to this there are four such period.

History of Lent in Islam is closely associated with the holy month of Ramadan.Its purpose is to foster a spirit of self-discipline and Muslims, as well as the ability to accurately perform all the mandates of God.Fasting lasts about 30 days.Muslims also limit themselves in some other days, for example, in Sha'ban, and Day of Ashura.

Buddhists practice two days of fasting Nyungnay.At the same time on the second day, they completely refuse from food and even water.For Buddhists, the process of purification of speech, mind and body.It's a great way to self-control and the initial level of self-discipline.

How to meet Lent

go all the way to Easter, and not be tempted to excesses untrained person is difficult.So many priests allocate some pretty important points:

• should be clearly understood that such a post.It is not only limited to the food.The main thing is self-control and victory over sin, weaknesses and passions.

• Talk to your priest.Only he can correctly explain what Lent, and give some useful tips.

• analyze own shortcomings and bad habits.This will help understand, and eventually almost completely get rid of them.

Basic principles of Lent

In addition to these common rules, there are a few fundamental theses, which must adhere to every believer.The entire history of the origin of Lent and its existence is based on the following principles:

1. Spirit reigns over the flesh.This is the fundamental thesis of the period.

2. Indulge in your own weaknesses.This helps education willpower.

3. Avoiding alcohol and smoking.Their use in everyday life is not desirable, not in post.

4. monitor their own emotions, words and thoughts, and actions.Cultivate goodwill and tolerance - one of the main rules of Lent.

5. not hold grudges and evil.It destroys a person from the inside, so at least for those 40 days, you should forget about these spiritual worm.

Preparing for Lent

For any person a few weeks food restrictions and strict self-control - a huge test for the soul as well as for his own body.Therefore, the week of Lent should be prepared in advance.

According to the laws of the Church to prepare for such tests set aside a certain time.These are the three basic week during which every Christian should be morally and physically prepare for Lent.And most importantly, he is obliged to do - is to learn how to repent.

first week of training - Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee.It is a reminder of Christian humility.It defines itself a way to spiritual elevation.These days, the post itself is not so important, so on Wednesday and Friday it does not adhere.

second week saw a reminder of the prodigal son.This Gospel parable is intended to show how the infinite mercy of God.Every sinner can be granted Paradise and forgiveness.

last week before Lent is called Cheese-fare or weeks of the Last Judgment.In people, it is also called Carnival.At this time, you can have it all.And finally, the final this week - Forgiveness Sunday, when all ask each other for mutual forgiveness.

Week of Lent

According to the canons, abstinence before Holy Sunday lasts about 7 weeks.In addition, each of them devoted to some events, people and events.Week of Lent are divided into two parts: Lent (6 weeks) and Holy sedmits (week 7).

The first seven days are also called the triumph of Orthodoxy.This is a time especially strict fast.Believers revere St. Andrew of Crete, St.Icon and Theodore of Tyrone.The second, fourth and fifth weeks are devoted to St. Gregory Palamas, John of the Ladder, and Mary of Egypt.All of them called for peace and accord, told the faithful how to fast and to behave, so they opened the grace of God and miracles.

third week of Lent is called believers the Cross.The cross should remind the laity of the suffering and death of the Son of God.The sixth week is dedicated to the preparation for Easter and witness the torment of the Lord.This Sunday is celebrated the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, also called Palm Sunday.This concludes the first part of Lent - Lent.

seventh week, or Holy sedmits, entirely devoted to the last days and hours of Christ's life and his death.This waiting time of Easter.

Menu Lent

most difficult thing for everyone today - to give up their own daily habits, especially eating habits.Especially now that the shelves of any shop just bursting with a variety of delicacies and exotic.

Lent - a time when the menu is limited.This is a period of reflection and self-determination.According to the centuries-old rules, there are days of complete rejection of any food, limited suhoedeniem days and days of Lent, when you can eat cooked food and fish.

But what can be there for sure?The list of authorized products consists of the following elements:

• Cereals.This wheat, buckwheat, rice, corn, and many others.They are extremely rich in vitamins and many nutrients.

• beans.This beans, lentils, peanuts, peas and so on. D. They are the fount of fiber, and a variety of vegetable fats.

• Fruits and Vegetables.

• Nuts and seeds - complete vitamin complexes.

• Mushrooms.They are quite heavy on the stomach, so it is better not to get involved in them.By the way, the church is still equal to the mushrooms and mussels, squid and shrimp.

• Vegetable oils.

main mistakes people observe a fast

As stated in many of the canons of the church, is the time when everyone should take precedence over their own habits, fears and emotions.It should open up to God.But not everyone who has decided to observe the Fast, is aware of what it is and what you need.Therefore, committed many mistakes:

• Hoping to lose weight.If we look at Lent by day, we can see that all the food is exclusively vegetarian nature.But all of it is rich in carbohydrates and very high in calories.Therefore, we can, on the contrary, gain extra weight.

• Appoint the severity of fasting alone.You can not get your own physical and mental strength, and even harm health.Therefore it is necessary to coordinate all the priest.

• Observe restrictions in food, but not in the thoughts and expressions.The main principle of Lent - the humility and self-control.First of all, should be limited to their own emotions and evil thoughts.