Lent - purification of the mind, body and soul from the excesses and negative emotions.This tireless work on a deliverance from sin.The time for reconciliation and mercy.Pacification of pride, vanity, anger, envy.Bodily and spiritual abstinence, which is intended to prepare a person to repentance.
When does the post, out the need for daily prayers, good deeds, good attitude.After a person decides whether to be piety in his heart.Informed choice of spirituality - that is the main goal of Christianity.
What is fasting
The church charter explains that the Orthodox post - for clerics and monks.If a layman and have no strength to withstand it all possible, you should contact the priest.He is, depending on the health and economic status of a person would do or would limit relief prayer.
Post - is to abstain from taking fasting foods.It can not start at will.All multi-day and one-day positions are confined to the memorials.Therefore, the statute stipulates that begins and ends with the post.
Just a 4 year long period of abstinence from fasting foods.Clergymen recommend laity just to keep himself from the excesses during fasting, and not to bring the body to a disease condition severe restriction in food.
main purpose of the post - cleansing of the physical and the spiritual, the subordination of the body to the spirit.You can let the indulgence in food due to diseases.Fasting should not be harmful to health.But the daily prayer, humility and kindness in relationships must continue throughout the period up to the moment when the end position. After abstinence Christian decides to be his more well-behaved or not.
history post
History of fasting began in the days of the apostles.They are the witnesses of the Savior's way of life.The Apostles testify that before his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert.Loneliness, lack of high-grade food, meditation and prayer - that is the fundamental moments of the post.
should know that the Savior was tempted of Satan during his stay in the desert.He passed the test, giving up bread and power.
In the desire to become like the Savior, and was formed by forty-day fast.Later, it was timed for Easter - the lightest holiday in Christianity.Passion of the Christ and follow his tragedy heavenly glory gave special meaning throughout Lent.Fasting before Easter named Great.It involves not only the restriction in food, but in worldly pleasures.
should properly begin and end fast, pray to avoid temptation.Concentrate on the strengths and opportunities of spiritual combat.
Fasting before Easter
Over time, Lent Ecumenical Council added a few more anniversaries.
- Lazarus Saturday - in honor of the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus.
- Entry into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday - a solemn entry into the capital.
- Passion Week - the court, the suffering, the martyrdom of Christ.
Therefore, Lent lasts 48 days.Getting it falls on the day after Shrove Sunday.Celebration of Easter - is the day, the end of the post.Each year, it falls on different dates.This is due to the fact that the calculation of the days of celebration or a post is determined by the astronomical calendar.
For example, in 2016 from 14 March to begin Lent.The numbers in 2015 - is 23 February (beginning of Lent) and 12 April (Easter holiday).
How to pray during Lent
Post - responsible for the souls of time.Restricting food can bring anxiety, irritability.And this is unacceptable in any post.Therefore, much attention should be paid to relationships with loved ones.Avoid quarrels and bad mood.There will be no use in abstinence from food, if a person is angry or lying.Therefore, it is important good relations with people and works of charity.
Hold your soul from evil help daily prayers.It is possible to attend church services.Priests recommended to limit a few prayers, but to read them daily, with the love of God.
If possible, add something to read hymns, Psalms and canons in moderation.If you wish to join them works of St. Seraphim of Sarov, St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine.
What you can not eat in front of the post Easter church
provides exceptions during Lent.It may not comply with all or part ill, traveling, minor children, pregnant and lactating women.
Fasting is not intended to cause harm to health.Therefore, if you have concerns, you should discuss them with the priest, doctor.It is necessary to gradually prepare for the post, step by step, limiting themselves to the food.
prohibited during the entire post products of animal origin (meat, eggs, milk, cheese, cream, butter).Unacceptable pastries, sweets, fast food.
- complete refusal of food takes place on the first day, on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday.
- allowed to fish in the Annunciation and Palm Sunday.Fish roe - on Lazarus Saturday.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday - xerophagy.
- Tuesday, Thursday - permissible hot, cooked food 1 time per day (without oil).
- Saturday and Sunday - hot, cooked food 2 times a day with butter and ingredients (except Holy Saturday).
When Lent ends, should not go for a festive meal.This can lead to serious health problems.It is necessary to gradually increase the diet for 2-3 weeks.
Acceptable food in post
must be remembered that for laymen the severity of post - optional condition.It is better to spend this time of increased spiritual growth.If health permits, you can adhere to restrictions in the food the entire period of Lent.
Kashi prepared on the water, without the addition of oil.Vegetables and fruits are allowed to lay in any form - boiled, baked, steamed.Nuts, honey, legumes, dried fruits, herbs, jelly, tea, jam.It is permissible to drink alcohol while fasting and 2 glasses to maintain the body - no more.
When does the post, on the morning of Easter, try not to abuse meat, alcohol, sweet pastries.It is better to be limited to one egg a day.Prefer not fresh, and baked yesterday.Meat add in the diet for 3 days after fasting before eating the fish.
restrictions during Lent
Fasting before Easter - the time to improve his soul.This renunciation of pleasures, excesses in all.Time of reflection, prayer, solitude, good deeds.You must consciously take for Lent.Determine your physical and mental capabilities, avoid extremes.
Do not deplete your body by fasting or fervent prayer.Do not completely abandon it, devoting himself only pleasures.
gradually restrain emotions, subdue the flesh.Do not allow anger and irritation.Try to avoid the guests (as possible).Prohibited during Lent intimate relations between spouses.Try to analyze their relationship, to make adjustments to improve them.Ask for forgiveness and forgive the offenders.
If this is the first post in life, you need to seek help from a priest.He will advise where to start, how to work the works of mercy and to overcome pride, how to participate in the liturgy, which read prayers at home.
Last week before Easter
Holy Week - the last week before Easter.It called great every day.This week - the last days of the earthly life of the Savior.His anguish, suffering, thinking.
No wonder the phrase "bear the cross" does not mean only physical ability or weakness.This awareness of the way, his understanding and acceptance.Not everyone is able to submit to the will of God, many are trying to avoid their problems or to shift them to other people.
For each person prepared for their journey.Therefore, the foundations of Christianity is to avoid envy, pride, anger, hypocrisy, revenge, vanity.Adoption of the way, agreed with him are humility, repentance.
In the last week before Easter should devote themselves to intensified fasting, prayer.And clean house.General cleaning will help clean the room from the accumulated negativity.The water will wash away the negative energy.Clean the house, body, soul, will testify about the approaching happy Easter.
Meaning of Lent
worthy to carry his cross, their suffering - one of the possibilities to improve the spiritual man.Another possibility - helping others.Most of their illness, loss, trials person does not see the weakness of the other.The reluctance to help, the rejection of a charity are for indifference.Therefore, it is often in your prayers to God sound basic requests for patience, humility, loyalty forces to carry his cross.
Last week before Easter - it is an opportunity the realization that sustained the Savior, which ruled the spiritual burden for the people.Therefore, Lent as a whole - it's not gourmet restrictions and suppression of its negative manifestations.From idle babblings and refuse requests for this period Orthodoxy.Post - call for virtue, a special state of mind and the mind.Meaning of Lent is approaching to God, His grace.
