Lent is one of the most important periods in the calendar of the Orthodox believer.Velikogovene allows you to prepare for the big holiday - the Holy Easter, cleansed spiritually and physically, as well as to get closer to God.That is why the post before the Resurrection of Christ is given increased attention on the part of the faithful.
history Lent
correct Lent has a long history.According to scientists, the first mention of Velikogovene been prescribed Saint Athanasius the Great in his Easter message.According to Scripture, fasting begins for 6 Weeks to a celebration of life, hope and joy.Lasts for a period of 40 days, excluding Saturday and Sunday, as well as the Holy Week before the coming of Easter.
The current understanding of Lent relates to the period of Christ's wanderings in the desert.However, in a letter of Athanasius the Great there is no such mention.But, despite this, Lent is characterized by fasting ascetic preparation for this grand religious festival.
final establishment of Lent took place only at the end of IV - beginning of V century.Lent by day in different areas are not respected by a single canon.Distinguished as the rules themselves spiritual purification, and food that was permissible in this period Christians.
Part Lent
If illuminate Lent by day, the whole period can be divided into 4 major stages.Lent - a period of fasting, which lasts for 40 days.This stage is a symbol of the life of Christ in the desert before the sermon.During this time must be fought with all the sins by means of prayer to the Lord, ascetic lifestyle.It is very important to know what to eat during Lent, what prayers to say at what time to go to worship.
second important step Velikogovenya considered Lazarus Saturday.In the Christian calendar this day I remember the miracle that Christ did - the resurrection of Lazarus.Jesus raised the dead Lazarus, thus forcing him to rise from the grave on the 4th day after the death.This phenomenon has given the Jewish faith in God, in Jesus Christ.Therefore, at the entrance to Jerusalem, the Son of God, local Jews greeted him as King of laying at the feet of palm branches and their clothes.
Entry into Jerusalem or Palm Sunday, symbolizes the Second Coming of Christ.These were the last days when Jesus Christ was a resident of the earth.We are approaching a time when the Son of God would be betrayed agonizing death on the cross.
final stage of Lent - Holy Week in duration of 6 days.During this period, you should know exactly what Lent every day has its certain canons.So how come mourning, when all the believers remember the throes of the Son of God, his death and burial.
Preparing for Lent
To prepare for Velikogovenyu should not only learn how to fast during Lent, but also realize the fact of this asceticism.To get closer to God is not enough just to give up fasting foods.You must be cleansed spiritually, to forgive all his enemies to get rid of anger and rage.Prayers should contain the words, turning to God for help, for healing and cleansing.The grace of the Lord will come down on all the asylum in this period.
Discussions with the priest
Once you understand that soon the first week of Lent, you should go to the church to talk to a priest.Why do it?This is necessary in order to minister of religion could not explain what to eat during Lent according to age, state of health.Each post should be able to do.Therefore, the Church permits to refrain from fasting the sick, pregnant and lactating women, children and travelers.
Saving Week
Lent (the first day and all subsequent weeks), according to the Orthodox canons, it is a period of purification of believers from sins.What happens at this time?In the first days of Lent all clerics urge their parishioners to take the path of the Lord, get rid of all vices and sins which they have received during his earthly life.Get rid of this spiritual cargo is possible only by fasting, humility and prayer.
first days of Lent, as last Week, held in the church with the greatest diligence of both the clergy and parishioners.It was at this time made spiritual and physical feats.Meals during Lent (the first day) is a forbidden fruit for all believers.According to Orthodox tradition, in the first two days of Lent (and physically able to - in the first four days) the food is not delivered.Thus, the body is purified from the evils of earthly life.
first week of Lent is celebrated lengthy sermons.Worship begins with the canon of St. Andrew of Crete during Compline.Scripture, awakens in the soul of the faithful a special repentance, humility, and increases the disposition to comply with fasting.In other writings during the first week are the chants of Joseph and Theodore Studite, who must be preaching in the church.
How fast?
question of how to fast during Lent, remains the core of the believers.During Velikogovenya recommended to completely eliminate all of the food products and dishes that contain meat and offal.Milk, cheese, vegetable oil, fish, eggs and other food-fasting is prohibited.Do not forget about alcohol, which imposed a taboo on Lent.
However, there are some exemptions that are possible on holidays.For example, fish and all derivative products can be eaten on the Annunciation, Palm Sunday.Fish roe is available on Lazarus Saturday.
What can be eaten in the first week of Lent?
As noted above, the first week of Lent is quite strict.It is recommended to completely abstain from food.However, those who decided to start fasting for the first time, we can not completely deprive yourself of the meal.Entering the post should be gradual, not abrupt renunciation of meat and fish.
Lent (the first day) is associated with the Orthodox believers with the purification and repentance before God, which comes after the Forgiveness Sunday.On the first day, decided to restore order in the house, bathe and put on clean clothes.It requires cleaning and intestines, so the meal strict requirements.
In the monastery, according to the charter, all professing the need to completely abandon the food on the first day.To maintain the strength offered only holy water.Lay people in the first day of Lent allowed to eat raw food of non-animal origin.In other words, during this period extended syroyadenie.Allowed fruits, vegetables, bread and water.Lent, the first day and the second in particular, runs on a single scenario.
On the third, fourth and fifth day, according to church canons, it is recommended to eat hot food, but without the addition of oil.The main ingredients can act mushrooms, vegetables, baked in the oven, meatless soup, honey and fruit.
Saturday and Sunday allowed the laity to eat meals with the addition of a small amount of oil.In addition, the Sabbath can be easy to drink wine.Food should be hot, contain vitamins.
What can I eat the second Week of fasting?
Second Week of Lent strictly enough.Because there are three to seven days to dry diet: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.These days should adhere to a strict menu, which may contain only raw vegetables, fruits, bread and water.Tuesday, Thursday laity are allowed to try on a pair of cooked food, but without the addition of any type of vegetable oil.Meals can vary meatless cereals, vegetable soup, baked mushrooms.On Saturday and Sunday the post softened.These days, the laity can trapeznichat food with vegetable oil and a glass of wine.
What can I eat the third Week of fasting?
third week of Lent in the Church of the Cross appears as the lexicon.During this period, the congregation should think about what it means to "carry his cross."Post still strict.Monday recommended syroyadenie.Preference is better to give nuts, figs, raisins, fruits and vegetables.Tuesday could be included in the meal cooked or baked foods at 200 grams.The environment of the Cross are allowed to eat two meals with a little butter and enjoy a glass of wine.On Saturday, the universe comes Parental Saturday.
What can I eat the fourth, fifth and sixth week of Lent?
Presented Week post is not different from the first three.However, some days are allowed breaks for those fasting.On the feast of the Annunciation of professing allowed to receive food fish 1 time per day.In addition, you can sample dishes with butter and drink glass of wine.On Lazarus Saturday, when Christians remember the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus is allowed to fish caviar in the amount of up to 100 grams.You can use butter and grape wine.
Holy Week Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem.What to eat during Lent in the Holy Week?On Sunday, the laity are allowed to eat hot food, cooked without oil.Next post tougher:
- Great Monday is the day when professing remember the prototype of Jesus Christ - the patriarch Joseph.On this day xerophagy recommended 1 time per day.Portion not exceed 200 grams.Food should be raw, without adding oil.As a drink, you can choose a decoction of the berries with honey.
- Great Tuesday commemorated the preaching of God's son, which was read in Jerusalem.The chief priests asked Jesus, compromising questions about the second coming, but did not dare to arrest him because of the faithful people.On Tuesday, the laity eat raw food: vegetables, fruits, nuts, bread.
- Great Wednesday in the Christian Scriptures marred by betrayal of Judas.In addition, this day was the anointing of Jesus Christ.This day should be preferred xerophagy.From drinking water or broth to choose (tincture) berries with honey.
- Maundy Thursday.This day was one of the main events - the Last Supper.On Thursday, Jesus washed his disciples feet.It was a gesture of brotherly love and divine humility.At the Last Supper was established rite, called the Holy Communion (the gospel).On this day, confessors take the bread and wine, thus implying 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, by the court, by the cross, crucifixion and death on the cross.On this day, the laity do not eat anything.Older people are allowed to take the bread and water after sunset.
- Holy Saturday is dedicated to the memories of how Christ has come in the tomb and descended into hell to rescue from eternal damnation of souls.This day is recommended to refrain from eating before Easter.
How to leave the post?
What to eat during Lent - is not the only issue that needs clarification.To avoid complications, you should pay special attention to the breaking.How to exit from the post should be gradual.This is due to the fact that over the past seven weeks, the body has adapted to the plant light food.Therefore, Easter must be gradually thinned menu food of animal origin.This will develop enzymes that help the processing of the heavy meal.
Lent - a time of hope and humility, which is achieved through spiritual rapprochement with God and physical purification.But do not resort to fasting unless there are health problems.
