Orthodox believers begin Great Lent

March 7, MINSK. For Orthodox believers, Great Lent begins today - the time of prayers, services, spiritual and bodily feats, which ends with the triumph of the Holy Resurrection of Christ - Easter.

Lent is the strictest and longest of the multi-day fasts of the Orthodox Church. it lasts seven weeks and consists of the forty-day fast itself (Fourteen), which personifies the forty-day fast of Jesus Christ in the wilderness, and the fast of Passion Week. This year Lent will last from March 7 to April 23.

The first and last weeks of Lent are considered the strictest. On Saturday of the sixth week, the church commemorates the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus. Saturday is followed by Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week - the last week of fasting, during which the suffering of Jesus Christ is remembered.

This fast is called the Great Lent not only because of its duration and severity, but also because of its great significance in the life of an Orthodox Christian. The main tasks during the period of Great Lent are increased prayer practice, repentance for sins and renunciation of sensual fuss. For the sake of the mournful days of Great Lent, for the sake of the days of "contrition and mourning," the order of church services is also changing. The daily celebration of the Divine Liturgy ceases. It is served on Saturdays and Sundays of fasting. Throughout Great Lent, the books of the Old Testament are read at morning and evening services.

On the day before Easter - Holy Saturday - believers gather in the temple for prayer. The divine service is dedicated to the memory of the stay of Jesus Christ in the tomb. On Great Saturday morning, the clergy take the Shroud out of the temple and, with the participation of the people, wrap it around the temple in remembrance of the descent of Jesus Christ into hell and his victory over hell and death. On this day, believers bring Easter food with them to the temple in order to consecrate it.

During Great Lent, according to the church charter, it is forbidden to eat animal products - MEAT, MILK , eggs and fish. From Monday to Friday, if there is no holiday on these days, it is necessary to refuse vegetable oil. Wednesday and Friday are dry days. You can only eat boiled vegetables. On Sundays, weak wine is allowed in small quantities. Fish is allowed only twice - on the Annunciation and on Palm Sunday.

There are also possible relaxations in fasting, which depend on the HEALTH of the person and the type of his activity. Fasting is facilitated for the sick, the elderly, pregnant women, people engaged in hard work.

Many believers do not eat food at all for the first three days.

Speaking of Great Lent, Orthodox theologians emphasize that asceticism should be expressed not so much in the correct diet (as many mistakenly believe), but in spiritual concentration. During this period, believers devote their free time, their efforts to knowing the Creator, reasoning about the meaning of life, about the soul, about good and evil. During Lent, Christians are advised to refrain from entertainment, smoking, and drinking ALCOHOL. Be sure to focus on your inner state and deal with manifestations of anger, resentment, condemnation.

The Church teaches that the main thing in Great Lent is spiritual purity. The measure during the period of fasting should be observed in everything. The deep essence of fasting is that a person rises morally, purifies his soul, imbued with love and mercy for others.