Can I smoke in the post?Of course, this question was asked almost every Christian, who suffers from nicotine addiction.However, to get a comprehensive answer, you must first determine that a post.
fasting
There are many definitions of the concept of the church.
Speaking generally, the post - is the period when people should rethink their principles of behavior in society, and they committed deeds, resulting in life must change, and for the better.Naturally, one should refrain from the sins that people commit most often: it almost every day swearing, jealous, angry at others and so on.During the period of spiritual cleansing church also recommends to take control of the power supply system, eliminating certain foods from the diet: meat, fish, milk and so on.
Bad habits
Returning to the question of whether you can smoke in the post, it should be noted that the nicotine addiction and the use of alcohol Church equated with sin, therefore, believers should abandon them.However, it is necessary to mention that on certain days of fasting in the small amount of alcohol is still permitted.
Of course, many people, to answer the question: "Can I smoke in the post?", Will conclude that the Lenten Retreat - not for them because they can not live a day without a cigarette.Well, it is their right, but in this case smokers miss another opportunity to get rid of nicotine addiction, which is provided by church canons.However, many perceive the above addiction as a "lesser evil", although we all know what a serious health damage it causes.
After considering the question of whether it is possible to post to smoke, there is another: "Should we accept the process of abstinence the best, if one can not overcome a nicotine addiction?" One way or another, but smoking - a sinful act, andit can not be considered as a reason to not post.It all depends on the person and how much he is willing to mobilize their inner resources to refuse tobacco.
Argued that the smoke that issues from light smoker puts a barrier between man and God, which prevents the penetration of the grace of the Creator.
Get rid of the addiction help daily prayer.Such an appeal to the conscience of God calls to take tough measures against himself.If absolutely unbearable to quit smoking, then the church recommends to abstain from tobacco use at least 2 times a week: Wednesday and Friday.
An interesting question is whether you can "indulge in tobacco" Muslims during the fast.It should be noted that, as provoslavnoy believers Islamists during Ramadan as an opportunity to kill a craving to smoke.However, you must make a reservation that Muslims can smoke a cigarette after sunset, that would not be considered as a violation of abstinence.
Alcohol
huge number of Orthodox people worried about the question of whether you can drink alcohol in the post.
Note that Scripture does not mention someone, who would in a period of abstinence drinking wine or spirits.In contrast, the Bible provides examples of when the Orthodox during fasting did not touch not only to food but also to the water.
Nevertheless, the statute allows the church to drink wine in small quantities and in strictly certain days - Saturday and Sunday.And this rule applies to all four posts: Christmas, the Assumption, and the Great Petrov.In addition, those who are interested in the question: "Can you drink in a post?", Need to know what to eat are allowed only drink red varieties and strictly dosed amount.Of course, the exact volume you no one will say, but not to lose clarity of thought, priests are advised to be limited to one glass.
remarkable fact that the tradition of drinking wine in a period of abstinence Russia took over from Byzantium and Syria, where the above liquor diluted with water at the rate of 1: 3.Wine thus fill the shortage of water, which was vital.Also, it has been used as a medicine because alternative medicine at the time was not.
Currently, a certain part of the tradition of the priests considered the above wrong, insisting on prohibition to drink alcohol during Lent.
In any case it is necessary first of all to remember what meaning bears post.It is important to develop spiritually, to reflect on their sinful activities, to fight "in itself" hypocrisy, envy, anger, vanity.Naturally, one or two glasses of red beverage will not hinder their eradication.
What to drink during the fasting
during Orthodox fasting is forbidden to drink coffee because of the method of preparation, he is regarded as a decoction, as it is contrary to the basic principle of dry diet.During Lent in addition to water you can drink tea, which is the infusion, which is quite acceptable.At a certain time period taboo applies to fruit drinks and fruit juices.
rules of strict fasting permit and even encourage drinking jelly, fruit drinks, lemonade and kvass.Today you can easily find an arsenal of recipes for the preparation of these drinks, and each day of fasting, you will be able to enjoy new culinary delights.Especially popular and in demand in our country is a recipe cranberry juice - this drink is not only lean and tasty, but also healthy.It should also be noted that the post should be used only natural drinks.
course, numerous fruit cocktails, jelly and soft drinks can be so tasty that even after the end of the post to give them will be very difficult.In any case, fresh Fresh during the fasting will not let you lose courage and enrich the body with vitamins, which it does not receive due to restrictions in the diet.
Features strict fasting
is important to remember that the post should be followed only by people who abstinence in food does not cause harm.If you suffer from disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or you have violated the metabolism, it is impossible to prepare for Communion in any case.Today, even in the monasteries do not always post implies the principle of dry diet.If a person had never in my life I have fasted and eventually decided to abstain in the food, then, before you implement it in practice, you should talk about it with his spiritual mentor, who will give individual advice.
course, all Orthodox restrict themselves in food, when the time of Lent.
However, it should emphasize once again: if you have health problems, you do not have to strictly follow all the rules relating to restrictions on food.Much more important to rethink their behavior, remember the negative actions committed in relation to their family and friends.
way or another, but do not forget that there is a strict fast, when a person can only eat bread and drink water.Such abstinence, in particular, occur in the first week of Lent.The Clean Monday Orthodox do not eat anything, praying for redemption of their own sins.
strict fasting is necessary as the last week of Lent - this period is called Holy Week.The first, second and third days of the last week, you can eat only raw vegetables and fruits.On Holy Thursday may be a small amount of red wine, and food can be flavored with vegetable oil.On Friday, the general can not eat anything - this day is considered the peak of strict fasting.The length of time from Saturday until the first star is also a period of absolute abstinence in food.
What to eat in the post
not lose its relevance, and the question of what should be in the post menu.If you follow the canons of the Church, then on Monday, Wednesday and Friday are allowed to eat raw vegetables, fruits, brown bread, drink water or fruit compote.Tuesday and Thursday you can cook meat in Lent dishes, but without oil (soup, porridge, boiled in water, and so on).
menu to the post at the weekend suggests the addition of vegetable oil as food (a bit), a little variety to the diet.
to fast or not
course, fasting - it's strictly voluntary.Someone accustomed to the shitty childhood, someone comes to this consciously in adulthood, and some are beginning to understand the true meaning of fasting in old age.
very often, and so as a result of a confluence of certain circumstances of life one can not count on anyone, and he devoted only to the Almighty.In what is our surprise when she suddenly comes, and then we have the faith that gives us the strength to fasting.