The Great Lent was sent to us by the Savior of this world forpurification of the soul, deliverance from passions. Jesus fasted for forty days, not taking food and water. Lent is a very strict and most important fasting. It consists of forty days of the month and the Holy Week (the week before Easter). The fourteenth calendar is in honor of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who was fasting in the desert. The Holy Week is intended for the memories of the last days of Jesus' life on earth (suffering, crucifixion and burial).
When does Lent begin? Stages of fasting
Lent begins seven weeks before Easter -the bright holiday of Christ's resurrection. The preparatory stage is the three preceding weeks. During this period, the Church begins spiritual preparation. Each stage of preparation has its own name:
- "Week of the Publican and the Pharisee" (continuous week) - the first week of preparation. This week, fasting on a meal is excluded. The Church calls on all to humility and repentance.
- "Week of the Prodigal Son" - the second week. During this period the fasting is Wednesday and Friday. There is a call of the Church for the lost to repent, hoping for the mercy of God.
- "Meat or cheese" (carnival) - the third preparatory stage to the Great Post. It is forbidden to eat meat during this period.Wednesday and Friday - not lean, it is allowed to eat eggs, milk, fish, cheese, butter. Pancakes are usually baked on Shrovetide. This week the Church calls for repentance, for doing good deeds, because for their deeds it is necessary to keep an answer before the Lord. Married people are advised to refrain from marital intimacy.
On the last Sunday before the main postlast time allowed to eat dairy products, eggs. This day is called "syroepest". It is necessary to forget all the grievances inflicted by other people, as well as ask forgiveness from those who were insulted and hurt. Nobody can receive forgiveness from God, if he does not forgive his neighbor. Such a day is called "forgiven Sunday". How long is Lent, you can learn from the orthodox calendar. The total duration of the main post is equal to forty-eight days, including the Passion Week. Also from the Orthodox calendar, you can find out which days of fasting are allowed to eat those or other products. In addition, the publication has all the necessary information for an Orthodox believer. From the calendar you can find out when Lent begins.
Soborovanie in Lent
During the Great Lent there is a purificationhuman soul, if it is properly observed. Fasting is given to us to reinforce the whole organism. The Orthodox Church has developed a tradition to perform the Sacrament of the Unction of the Saints - Sobor. It is conducted with the purpose of helping seriously ill and infirm people.
Clergymen during the Sacrament of Soborthe oil is consecrated. This healing oil is applied by the priest to various parts of the patients' body (palms, forehead), accompanying the action with prayers. To each person, according to his faith, God's help is sent.
An Orthodox Christian must know whenLent begins to adequately prepare for him and pass, fully respecting. The time of fasting is the most fertile period when you can overcome your passions, thanks to abstinence in food, in a conjugal relationship. It is necessary to understand a very important rule: fasting without correction is an exhausting diet. Therefore, he must necessarily be accompanied by compulsion to correct his life, to do good deeds, to fight against passions. However, this should be remembered not only when the Lent begins, but to follow your whole life. The fulfillment of the commandments of God is our way to saving the soul.
