The essence of Lent
The content and nature of this phenomenon can beexplain from several points of view. By definition, this is a strict religious prohibition and restrictions for a certain period on the use of all food or its individual components (milk, meat, etc.).
In the spiritual sense, the essence of Great Lent isrenewal by diligently cleansing your own soul. During this period, it is customary to refrain from all evil and anger. So believers prepare themselves for Easter.
Верующие в дни Поста должны справляться со своими emotions, desires, try to take everything for granted and in many respects deny yourself. During this period, a person's life changes drastically, as well as his values and principles. This is a kind of staircase to heaven.
The history of Lent
The roots of this religious holiday take theirthe beginning was in antiquity, when due to limited food legal taboo-bans arose. So people prepared themselves for the perception of divine knowledge and truths. The question of what Lent is today can only be answered by looking at history.
Before finally formingAs it is today, the holiday has gone through several long centuries. It developed along with the formation and development of the Church itself. Originally, Post existed as spiritual and physical self-restraint before the sacrament of baptism on Easter days at the dawn of history. The origins of this phenomenon also go back to the ancient Easter post of the II-III c. BC er Then he lasted one night and was committed in memory of the Passion of Christ. Subsequently, the Post lasted up to 40 hours, and then up to 40 days.
Later he began to compare with the 40-daythe journey of Christ and Moses in the withering wilderness. However, in different places this period was calculated in different ways. The principles of its implementation were also different. It was only in the 4th century that the Fast was formalized and formalized in the 69th Apostolic Rule.
View of different religions and teachings
The Jews perceive this phenomenon a little differently.Usually they fast in honor of a given vow or honoring their relatives. They also have a public holiday, Yom Kippur. On this day, it is customary to limit yourself according to the laws of Moses. According to this, there are four more such periods.
The history of Lent in Islam is closely linked tothe holy month of Ramadan. His goal is to strengthen the spirit and self-discipline of Muslims, as well as the ability to accurately carry out all the orders of Allah. Fasting lasts about 30 days. Muslims also limit themselves to some other days, such as Sha'ban and Ashura Day.
Buddhists practice two-day fastNyungnai. At the same time on the second day, they completely refuse food and even water. For Buddhists, it is a process of purifying speech, mind and body. This is a great way of self-control and an initial level of self-discipline.
How to properly meet the Great Lent
It is necessary to clearly understand what Post is. After all, these are not only food restrictions. The main thing is self-control and victory over sin, flaws and passions.
Talk to your priest. Only he will be able to correctly explain what Lent is and give some useful advice.
Analyze your own shortcomings and bad habits. This will help to understand, and eventually get rid of them almost completely.
Main principles of Lent
In addition to these generally accepted rules, there isseveral fundamental theses that every believer must adhere to. The whole history of the Great Lent and its existence are based on the following principles:
Spirit rules the flesh. This is the fundamental thesis of this period.
Deny your own weaknesses. It helps to cultivate willpower.
Refusal of alcohol, and also smoking. Their use in everyday life is undesirable, not like in Post.
Watch your own emotions, words and thoughts, as well as actions. To cultivate benevolence and tolerance is one of the main rules of the Post.
Do not hold insults and evil. It destroys a person from the inside, so at least for these 40 days one should forget about these spiritual worms.
Preparation for Post
According to the laws of the Church to prepare for suchTesting set aside some time. These are the three main weeks during which each Christian must morally and physically prepare for Great Lent. And the main thing that he must do is learn repentance.
The first week of preparation is the week of the Publican andThe Pharisee. This is a reminder of Christian humility. It determines the very path to spiritual exaltation. Fasting itself is not so important these days, so it’s not adhered to on Wednesday and Friday.
The second week is marked by a reminder of the prodigal son. This gospel parable is designed to show how God's mercy is infinite. Heaven and forgiveness can be bestowed upon every sinner.
The last week before Lent is calledMeat soup or the Day of the Last Judgment. In the people it is also called Maslenitsa. At this time, you can eat everything. And, finally, the finale of this week - Forgiveness Sunday, when everyone is asking each other forgiveness.
Weeks of Great Lent
The first seven days are still called triumph.Orthodoxy. This is a time of especially strict fasting. Believers venerate St. Andrew of Crete, St. Icon and Theodore of Tyrone. The second, fourth and fifth weeks are dedicated to St. Gregory Palamas, John of the Ladder and Mary of Egypt. All of them called for peace and harmony, told the believers how to fast and behave, so that God's grace and signs would be revealed to them.
The third week of Lent is called believers.crucifixion. The cross should remind the laity of the sufferings and death of the Son of God. The sixth week is dedicated to preparing for Easter and remembering the torment of the Lord. This Sunday is celebrated the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, it is also called Palm Sunday. This ends the first part of the Fast - the Holy Four Lent.
The seventh week, or the Passion Week, is entirely devoted to the last days and hours of the life of Christ, as well as to his death. This is Easter waiting time.
Lent Menu
The most difficult for every modern person -give up your own daily habits, especially in food. Moreover, now the shelves of any store are simply full of various delicacies and exotics.
Lent is the time when the menu is strictlylimited. This is a period of reflection and self-determination. According to centuries-old rules, there are days of complete abandonment of any food, days of limited dry feeding and days of Great Lent, when you can eat boiled dishes and fish.
Cereal. These are wheat, buckwheat, rice, corn and many others. They are extremely rich in vitamins and many beneficial substances.
Legumes These are beans, lentils, peanuts, peas, etc. They are a storehouse of fiber and a variety of vegetable fats.
Vegetables and fruits.
Nuts and seeds - high-grade vitamin complexes.
Mushrooms They are heavy enough for the stomach, so it’s best not to get carried away. By the way, the church also equals mussels, squid and shrimp with mushrooms.
Vegetable oils.
The main mistakes of people observing the Post
As stated in many church canons, thisa time when each person must prevail over their own habits, fears and emotions. He must open himself to God. But not everyone who decided to observe the Fast, is aware of what it is and why it is necessary. Therefore, many mistakes are made:
Надеяться похудеть.If we look at Lent by leaps and bounds, we can see that all food is of an exclusively plant nature. But all of it is rich in carbohydrates and very high in calories. Therefore, you can, conversely, gain extra pounds.
Assign the severity of the post yourself. You can not calculate your own physical and mental strength, and even harm to health. Therefore it is necessary to coordinate everything with the priest.
- Observe restrictions in food, but not in thoughts and expressions. The main principle of Lent is humility and self-control. First of all, you should limit your own emotions and evil thoughts.
