What date does the post start from? Vegetables and greens

Orthodox church calendar of fasts and meals for 2019 with an indication and a brief description of multi-day and one-day fasts and continuous weeks.

Church Orthodox calendar of fasting and meals for 2019

Fasting is not in the belly, but in the spirit
Folk proverb

Nothing in life is easy. And to celebrate the holiday, you need to prepare for it.
In the Russian Orthodox Church, there are four long-term fasts, fast on Wednesday and Friday throughout the year (with the exception of a few weeks), and three one-day fasts.

On the first four days of the first week of Great Lent (Monday through Thursday), the Great (Penitential) Canon is read during the evening service, a work of the brilliant Byzantine hymnographer of St. Andrew of Crete (8th century).

ATTENTION! Below you will find information on dry eating, eating without oil, and fasting days. All this is an old monastic tradition, which even in monasteries cannot always be observed in our time. Such strict fasting is not for the laity, but the usual practice is abstaining from eggs, dairy and meat foods during fasting and during strict fasting - also abstaining from fish. For all possible questions and about your individual measure of fasting, you need to consult with your spiritual father.

Dates are in the new style.

Fasting and meal calendar for 2019

in 2019

The Savior himself was led by the spirit into the wilderness, for forty days he was tempted by the devil and did not eat anything during those days. The Savior by fasting began the work of our salvation. Great Lent is a fast in honor of the Savior Himself, and the last, Passion Week of this forty-eight-day fast is established in honor of the remembrance of the last days of earthly life, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
Fasting is observed with particular rigor during the first week and during Holy Week.
Complete abstinence from food is accepted on Clean Monday. The rest of the time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday - dry food (water, bread, fruits, vegetables, compotes); Tuesday, Thursday - hot food without oil; Saturday, Sunday - food with vegetable oil.
Fish is allowed on the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and on Palm Sunday. On Lazarev Saturday, fish caviar is allowed. On Good Friday, food must not be eaten before the Shroud is taken out.

in 2019

From Monday of the week of all Saints, the fast of the Holy Apostles begins, established before the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul. This post is called a summer post. The continuation of the fast is different, depending on how sooner or later Easter happens.
It constantly starts on All Saints Monday and ends on July 12th. The longest Petrov fast includes six weeks, and the shortest one a week with a day. This fast was established in honor of the Holy Apostles, who by fasting and prayer were preparing for the worldwide preaching of the Gospel and preparing their successors in the work of saving ministry.
Strict fasting (dry eating) on ​​Wednesday and Friday. On Monday you can eat hot food without oil. On other days - fish, mushrooms, cereals with vegetable oil.

in 2019

From 14 to 27 August 2019.
A month after the Apostolic Lent, the many-day Dormition Fast begins. It lasts for two weeks - from 14 to 27 August. By this fast, the Church calls us to imitate the Mother of God, who, before Her transfer to heaven, was incessantly in fasting and prayer.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - dry food. Tuesday, Thursday - hot food without oil. On Saturday and Sunday, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
On the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord (19 August) fish is allowed. Fish day in Assumption, if it falls on Wednesday or Friday.

in 2019

Rozhdestvensky (Filippov) post. At the end of autumn, 40 days before the great feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Church calls us to the winter fast. It is called Filippov, because it begins after the day dedicated to the memory of the Apostle Philip, and Rozhdestvensky, because it happens before the feast of the Nativity of Christ.
This fast was established in order for us to bring the Lord a grateful sacrifice for the earthly fruits collected and to prepare for the grace-filled union with the born Savior.
The food charter coincides with the charter of St. Peter's Lent, until the day of St. Nicholas (December 19).
If the feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos falls on Wednesday or Friday, then fish is allowed. After the feast day of St. Nicholas and before the prefeast of Christmas, fish is allowed on Saturday and Sunday. On the eve of the feast, you cannot eat fish all the days, on Saturday and Sunday - food with butter.
On Christmas Eve, you cannot eat food until the first star appears, after which it is customary to eat soothing - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins.

Continuous weeks in 2019

Week- week from Monday to Sunday. These days there is no fasting on Wednesday and Friday.
There are five continuous weeks:
Christmastide- from 7 to 17 January,
Publican and Pharisee- 2 weeks before
Cheese (Shrovetide)- the week before (no meat)
Easter (Light)- week after Easter
- the week after Trinity.

Fasting Wednesday and Friday

The weekly fast days are Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday fasting is established in remembrance of Judas' betrayal of Christ, on Friday - in memory of the sufferings of the Cross and the death of the Savior. On these days of the week, the Holy Church prohibits the use of meat and dairy foods, and during the week of All Saints before the Nativity of Christ, abstinence from fish and vegetable oil should also be followed. Only when Wednesday and Friday are the days of the celebrated saints is vegetable oil allowed, and on the biggest holidays, such as the Intercession, fish.
Some indulgence is allowed for the sick and those who are busy with hard work, so that Christians have the strength for prayer and the necessary work, but the use of fish on the wrong days, and even more the complete permission of fasting, is rejected by the charter.

One-day fasts

Epiphany eve- January 18, on the eve of the Epiphany of the Lord. On this day, Christians prepare for cleansing and consecration with holy water on the feast of Epiphany.
Beheading of John the Baptist- 11 September. This is the day of remembrance and death of the great prophet John.
Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord- September 27. Memory of the Savior's suffering on the cross for the salvation of the human race. This day is spent in prayer, fasting, contrition for sins.
One-day fasts- days of strict fasting (except Wednesday and Friday). Fish is prohibited, but food with vegetable oil is allowed.

Orthodox holidays. About the meal on holidays

According to the Church Charter, there is no fast on the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and the Epiphany, which happened on Wednesday and Friday. On Christmas and Epiphany Eve and on the feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord and the Beheading of John the Baptist, food with vegetable oil is allowed. On the feasts of the Meeting, the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Dormition, the Nativity and the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Her Entry into the Temple, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Theologian, which happened on Wednesday and Friday, as well as from Easter to Trinity on Wednesday and Friday fish allowed.

When there is no marriage

On the eve of Wednesdays and Fridays of the whole year (Tuesday and Thursday), Sundays (Saturday), Twelve, Temple and Great Feasts; in continuation of the posts: Velikiy, Petrov, Uspensky, Rozhdestvensky; during Christmastide, on Meat Week, during Cheese Week (Maslenitsa) and on Cheese Week; during the Easter (Bright) week and during the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27.

• You just read the article Church Orthodox Calendar for 2019... If you want to know more about Orthodox posts then pay attention to the article.

In the spring, Orthodox Christians begin to prepare for the bright holiday of Easter, observing Great Lent. Forty days, as it is called according to church tradition, symbolizes solidarity with Jesus Christ, who fasted for 40 days in the wilderness after his baptism, praying and preparing for the mission of saving mankind. Lent in 2019 begins on March 11 and ends on April 27.

When calculating, it becomes clear: it lasts a little more than 40 days, namely 47 (48 days). The last 6 days are Passion Week, that is, the week leading up to Easter. Fasting at this time becomes especially strict, as the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior is approaching.

During Great Lent, an Orthodox Christian needs not only to fast, but also to actively pray, to be cleansed of sin before the beginning of Easter. During this period, food and entertainment is limited: it is not recommended to visit, celebrate holidays, visit cinemas, cafes, restaurants. It is better to devote time to prayer, repentance, worship in the church, when it is held.

Preparation stages

Fasting does not begin immediately from the first week, before that Christians spend four weeks preparing for it. It is important not so much to prepare physically as spiritually. Show humility, get closer to God. Each week has its own meaning based on the New Testament. For example, the first week is associated with chapter 19 of the Gospel of Luke and the story of Zacchaeus revealed there, who, being a great sinner, repented and wanted to atone for his sins.

The next week is connected with the 18th chapter of the Gospel of Luke and the story of the publican and the Pharisee. In churches at this time, the chants of the repentant troparion begin, the mentioned parable is read to the parishioners. In this week, you can eat everything: meat, fat, milk, eggs. After the week of the prodigal son begins. Psalm 136 is read, animal products (fermented) are excluded on Wednesday and Friday. On these days, it is allowed to replace meat with fish.

The last week of preparation marks the imminent beginning of the fast. During these seven days, you can no longer eat meat, but you can still eat cheese, eggs, fish, milk and products from it. This meal is restricted to Wednesday and Friday when only one, evening meal is allowed.

Before the fast begins, another significant event takes place - Forgiveness Sunday. The end of Vespers bears witness to the beginning of Great Lent.

Dos and don'ts

The first week begins with strict restrictions:

• On the first day, those who fast do not eat anything at all - they only pray and repent.
• In the second, the use of bread, salt and water is allowed, but no more.
• On Wednesday and Thursday, you can eat any raw fruits and vegetables without butter or any other butter.
• On Friday, they eat fruits or boiled vegetables, also without fat.
• On Saturday and Sunday you can eat cooked plant foods with sunflower or similar oil and drink wine.

Earlier, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from the second week to the last, they fasted on vegetable food without heat treatment and vegetable oil. These customs continue to exist today. Until the sixth week, this diet is also observed on Fridays. Also during Holy Week, which is especially important for Orthodoxy, since it immediately precedes Easter, raw, even minimally unprocessed vegetables and fruits, not flavored with butter, are eaten on Tuesday.

On Tuesday and Thursday, from the second week to the seventh, they eat boiled or steamed vegetables with added fruits, such as potatoes and beets, without vegetable oil. The only exception is Thursday of the fifth week, when it is allowed to add vegetable oil to the meal. During the Annunciation, it is allowed to eat fish. Also, fish is allowed on Sunday before the beginning of Holy Week according to the church calendar.

On Saturday and Sunday, until the last week, you can drink wine and eat boiled vegetables and fruits with butter. On Saturday the sixth they eat fish caviar, and on Week, as mentioned above, the fish itself, since Palm Sunday is celebrated on this day.

In Holy Week, the order of food changes somewhat. So, on Thursday you can eat boiled vegetables with butter, and on Friday they don't eat anything at all. It is forbidden to eat cooked food on Saturday, but it is allowed to drink wine. On Sunday, there is an Easter lunch and breaking the fast.

In Russia, during the fast, they consume not only vegetables and fruits in their unprocessed and processed form, but also legumes, dried fruits, nuts, honey, bread, cereals and cereals.

Divine service

During Great Lent, daily circles of worship are held on certain days:

• on Mondays;
• Thursdays;
• Tuesdays.

The only exceptions are those days on which church holidays fall. In 2019, all holidays occur on Saturdays and Sundays, so the liturgy is held on all days except those listed.

Thus, knowing what date Great Lent will begin in 2019, you can properly prepare for it in order to observe it until Easter. Faith in God and humility will help you easily cope with the unusual period of giving up meat and fish. The main thing is not to forget that the meaning of fasting is hidden in deep unity with the Savior, for which it is imperative to read prayers and repent, if necessary.

Lent in 2018 is the most important and longest in Orthodoxy. The time interval when believing Christians need not only to refrain from eating certain foods, but also to supplement their existence with various spiritual practices that are predominantly ascetic in nature. The distinction of fasting is the holding of special services, the offering of certain prayers, as well as repentance in combination with memories of the life and death of Christ.

• What date does Great Lent 2018 begin: February 19
• When Lent ends in 2018: April 7

Food calendar in Lent in 2018

When does Great Lent 2018 begin and how long, how is its date set?

Fasting starts in 2018 on February 19 (Monday) and ends on April 7 (Saturday). Immediately after the end of the fast, on Sunday April 8, Christians will celebrate Easter. The duration of Lent is 48 days, during which people who observe the fast are required to adhere to certain rules. This period consists of 6 weeks and 1 Passion Week, a feature of which is abstinence from carnal pleasures and eating some food.

Lent serves as an eternal reminder to Christians of the time Jesus spent in the desert, where he fasted for 40 days in a row. After a while, these 40 days began to be called the Great Lent. It is immediately followed by 8 equally important days of fasting. They include Holy Week, Palm Sunday and Lazarev Saturday. It is on these days that they pay tribute to the memory of the Passion of the Lord and the events that preceded them: the Last Supper, the last sermons of Christ, the entry of Jesus into the gates of Jerusalem, the Resurrection of Lazarus in Bethany.

The date of the beginning of Great Lent depends on the "floating" date of the Bright Resurrection of Christ. Every year the date of Easter changes, therefore, the date of fasting cannot be fixed either. It is noteworthy that the time period of March 8-21 always falls on the period of Great Lent, regardless of the date of its beginning and end. Preparation for Great Lent Preparation for fasting begins, as a rule, in 4 weeks before its beginning. During this time, it is important to spiritually prepare for correct repentance within 48 days. Each of the 4 weeks that precedes the start date of the post has a name.

What is the meaning and essence of Lent?

Many Christian believers call this fast the most fertile time for spiritual and physical preparation for the meeting of the bright Resurrection of Christ. Accordingly, the meaning of fasting is to carefully prepare for one of the main Orthodox holidays - Easter. The most important goal of fasting is sincere and deep repentance.

The essence of Great Lent boils down to the fact that Jesus, while in the wilderness, showed by his example how after these events the power of his Spirit and faith were only strengthened. After some time, Christ told his disciples that the machinations of the Devil can be eliminated only by observing fasting and offering prayers.

Weeks before Great Lent

The first week (about Zacchaeus)

During this week, we must follow the example of Zacchaeus, the man whom Jesus honored with his attention. This means that people should have a free expression of will, which will allow them to spiritually approach the Lord. Scripture says that Zacchaeus was a narrow-minded and sinful man, but his faith, strong will, and great desire to be righteous overcame the dark side of his nature.

The second week (about the Pharisee and the publican)

Services are held in churches, during which special prayers and chants of repentance are offered. Such services last until the 5th week of Lent. Priests call Christians to true and ostentatious repentance. This is reminiscent of the actions of Jesus, who punished the Pharisee who exalted himself in every possible way and, on the contrary, justified the publican, who constantly condemned himself.

The third week (about the prodigal son)

In churches, the clergy, in addition to the usual polyeleos psalms, sing the 136th psalm. It continues to be sung throughout the Meat Week, as well as the week of the Last Judgment. During the 7 days that follow the Meat Week, Orthodox believers are still allowed to eat meat. The only exceptions are Friday and Wednesday days.

The fourth week (about the Last Judgment)

Dedicated to the great sin committed by Eve and Adam, their complete expulsion from Eden, as well as the subsequent Last Judgment. Sunday is the last day of this week when people planning to fast can break their fast with meat products. The last Sunday before fasting is called Forgiveness Sunday, which is the final day of Cheese Week. After Vespers, it is supposed to perform the rite of forgiveness (universal and necessarily mutual).

Weeks of Great Lent

The first "Triumph of Orthodoxy"

It personifies the victory over the heresy regarding the veneration of icons. Once the Byzantine ruler forbade the veneration of icons, so many of them were destroyed. However, a quarter of a century later, a collection was held with the support of Emperor Constantine, during which the ban was lifted.

Second "Gregory Palamas"

This bishop is considered the winner of one of the most bitter theological disputes in the entire history of Orthodox Christianity. The essence of the dispute boiled down to explaining the connection between the world and its creator - the Lord.

Third "Christ of the Cross"

It is the central week of Lent. Its name is associated with the removal of a cross from the altar, decorated with various flowers and plants. This object of veneration is erected in the middle of the temple, and brought back only on Friday of the next week.

Fourth "John Climacus"

The Church sets people up as an example of the Monk Righteous John Climacus, who led an exclusively fasting life. The son of the holy parents (Mary and Xenophon) spent all the years of his adult life in the monastery, spending time in prayers addressed to the Lord.

Fifth "Mary of Egypt"

This amazing story of the Venerable Righteous Mary is read as the most vivid example of how people, observing fasting and trusting in God, with his help can let Divine light into their lives. This story shows that even from the most spiritually dead-end situations there is a way out if you fast and pray correctly.

Sixth "Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem"

The name of the week is due to the Greek word "vayi". This is what palm leaves are called. They covered the road along which Christ passed 7 days before his Crucifixion. This week is considered both sad and festive at the same time.

Seventh "Passionate"

This week occupies a special position during the entire period of fasting. The 4 weeks preceding it (Forty days) are timed to coincide with 40 days spent by Jesus in the desert. And this week is the period when the Orthodox remember the last days of Christ's earthly existence.

Features of nutrition in Lent

Observance of Great Lent is advisable not only from a spiritual point of view, but also in relation to the restoration of health. Any physician will say that abstaining from heavy protein foods in the spring, when the body is most overloaded and needs strengthening, is very beneficial. But many believers, especially those who have never sustained fasting, doubt their strength. In fact, fasting is not that difficult, so let's figure out what you can eat during these seven weeks.

Fruits and berries

Fruit can be used to make salads, add them to any ready-made meals, or eat them raw. Choose pomegranates, cranberries, grapes, apples, pears, and all citrus fruits.

Vegetables and greens

This includes cabbage of any kind. It can be stewed or eaten raw. It is also permissible to use: basil, dill, parsley, cilantro, sorrel, spinach, lettuce and green onion feathers; tomatoes and sweet peppers; pumpkins and potatoes; corn and carrots; celery.

Legumes

Peas, lentils, beans, beans are a rich source of protein, which is so necessary for the body, especially since you should not eat the usual protein foods during fasting. From the listed products, you can prepare mashed potatoes, stews, lobio, various side dishes and additives to main dishes.

Cereals

During the fasting period, you can eat porridge made from any cereal. As a rule, people prepare side dishes using only 2-3 types of cereals. But the range of cereals is much richer.

Fish and seafood

According to the strict rules of fasting, fish can only be eaten on Palm Sunday and Annunciation. On Lazarev Saturday, which precedes Palm Sunday, it is permissible to eat fish caviar. As for seafood, opinions differ here. Some argue that they are allowed to be eaten, like fish, only for two days. Others are inclined to believe that it is allowed to eat seafood on the other days of the fast.

Sweet preservation and dried fruits

During Lent, it is allowed to use compotes, confitures, jams and preserves. On their basis, you can prepare various uzvars, jelly, fruit drinks. It is also permissible to eat these products with tea and other permitted drinks. Dried fruits can also be put on the lean table. They can be added to main courses, for example, porridge or stewed vegetables, as well as used for a snack. Dried fruits are welcome: pineapple; from figs; from apples, cherries and pears; from plums and apricots; from grapes; from bananas and dates.

Sweets and drinks

Those who cannot do without sweet treats are allowed to eat: sugar; honey; dark chocolate (make sure that it does not contain milk); kozinaki; halva; lean marshmallow; lollipops; marmalade. Milk lovers can be advised to drink soy or coconut milk. By the way, there are soy yoghurts on sale in many stores. From drinks, compotes, fruit drinks, juices and jelly, coffee and teas, cocoa (without milk) are acceptable.

For all people of the Orthodox faith, Great Lent is an intense spiritual work, for which the Lord will certainly reward. Each week ends on Sunday. During this day, it is customary to remember a certain significant event or deed committed by any righteous man, whose feat the church recorded as those that brought invaluable benefits to Christianity.

Great Lent 2018: Holy Week

Great Lent is a time of repentance and transformation of the human soul. After six weeks of prayer, rejection of earthly joys and animal products, Great Holy Week begins. A special time comes for believers - compassion and cleansing of their hearts. The week is dedicated to the last earthly days of the Son of God, his inhuman suffering and death. In 2018, Holy Week begins on Monday 2 April and ends on Saturday 7 April.

• The days of the Holy Forty are approaching, some of the believers are waiting for them with impatience and love, and some are afraid of these days of abstinence. It all depends on spiritual growth and attachment to your flesh. The beginning of Lent in 2018 will be quite early compared to previous years. This is because Easter is early this year. Easter is celebrated at different times each year and depends on the vernal equinox.
  

  What is Great Lent

  Lent is the time when preparations begin for the most important holiday of Orthodox Christians - Easter. It will start unusually early in 2018, as it is early Easter this year. Preparation for such a bright and great holiday should be twofold: external and internal.

  Preparations will be in full swing soon

  External preparation implies bodily abstinence: from light food and carnal pleasures, and internal - abstinence from entertainment, dissipation of the mind, passions.

  Abstaining from food humbles the flesh and refines the soul, making it receptive to prayer. And abstaining from entertainment and passions prepares her to receive Grace. All this is needed only in order to adequately meet the bright holiday of Easter.

  Lent appeared in memory of the forty-day stay of the Savior in the wilderness, where, according to the Gospel narrative, He did not eat anything at all, but only prayed. But perhaps the reason for the appearance of the forty-day fast was the procession of Moses and the Jews from Egypt to the Promised Land, as well as the forty-hour stay of Christ in the tomb.

  However, in the first centuries of our era, Christians' fast before Easter lasted only a day, then it lasted up to forty hours. And only later did it become as long as it exists now.

  The entire Lent from beginning to end is mainly aimed at fighting passions, 2018 is no exception. Bodily abstinence is given only to help spiritual fasting, and it implies restriction from entertainment.

  This means that it is not recommended to go to cinemas, theaters, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, circuses, and you cannot watch entertainment films and programs on television and the Internet. As for the Internet, this is a separate conversation, many priests recommend avoiding communication and hanging on social networks, since all this clogs the mind, distracts the soul from the most important thing.

  And after all the amusements are removed, the soul should be tuned in to meditation, prayer, soulful reading, awareness of the many sins and repentance of them. Nothing should distract a person during Great Lent from this occupation, especially if the beginning of repentance has already been made. Of course, it's hard that in 2018 very little time passed between Christmastide and Great Lent, but what to do. The essence of Orthodoxy is largely in asceticism.

  Fasting bodily

  There is a lot of controversy about this issue, but fasting is unthinkable without bodily abstinence. This means deliberately avoiding fast food. What does it mean?

  

  Fasting observed

  The concept of "fast food" includes:

  • meat products (red meat, chicken, dumplings, sausages, sausages, cutlets, etc.);
  • dairy products (milk, kefir, butter, fermented milk products, cheese, etc.);
  • eggs (chicken, duck, quail);
  • fish (sea, river, fish cakes, canned fish, fish caviar, etc.)

  Of course, all dishes made from these products are prohibited during Lent. You should also limit sweets, you must stop smoking during the fast. Excess alcohol is also not encouraged, but moderate consumption of wine on some days of the fast is allowed (mainly on holidays) to maintain bodily strength.

  If you look at the Orthodox calendar, you can see that on certain days of fasting, dry eating is recommended. This means that all food must be raw, not boiled. These are mainly vegetables, fruits, bread, lean cookies, honey, juices. Even vegetable oil is not recommended. Basically, this food is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent. On other days, you can eat boiled food, but without vegetable oil.

  On Sundays, during the entire fast, you can eat boiled food with vegetable oil and drink a little wine. Fish is allowed on Palm Sunday and Annunciation. On some days nothing is eaten at all, this is usually on Monday, Thursday of the first week and on Friday of Holy Week. On the Tuesday of the first week, they eat only bread and drink water.

  But, of course, only very strong physically and healthy people can fulfill all the prescriptions regarding food restriction.

  Relaxation in fasting is allowed:

  • pregnant and lactating women;
  • children and adolescents;
  • elderly and sick people.

  So before imposing the burden of fasting on yourself, you need to consult with the priest, tell him about your chronic diseases, if any. Because there is another extreme - excessive jealousy in fasting. This is when a person takes on food restrictions more than he can handle. In this case, fasting can even seriously harm some, because the body weakens, and this makes the soul immune to prayer.

  One saint said: "The body of a man is like a donkey - if you do not feed it, you will not take it to the Kingdom of Heaven, but if you overfeed it, it will go mad." Therefore, it is necessary to observe the golden mean in everything. But at the same time, limiting food rich in animal fats for a while is very beneficial. After all, it is these products that cause an increase in blood cholesterol and, as a result, blockage of blood vessels. And this, in turn, leads to serious diseases: atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, heart attack, hypertension, stroke, angina pectoris, obesity.

  And some people specifically limit animal products for health (vegetarians), and medical fasting is also widely used to improve the body's health. Therefore, fasting is beneficial from the point of view of health, the Church, like a caring mother, warns us against troubles, recommending time restrictions in some food.

  Some sick people cannot do without certain dairy products (cottage cheese, milk, etc.). With the blessing of the priest, they are allowed to eat these products. The same goes for fish or oil.

  But even the sick can do without meat for the entire period of fasting, because it can be replaced with other lean foods, for example, soy. Now there are many soy products on sale, these are: soy meat, soy cutlets, soy cheese, etc. They are tasty and healthy, while at the same time they contain a lot of protein that the body needs.

  Those who cannot eat soy due to the presence of certain diseases can replace meat with seafood, mushrooms or legumes. Few people know that a kilogram of squid contains the same amount of protein as a kilogram of meat. Moreover, squid is much healthier than meat: they contain iodine. And in meat, as scientists have proven, sometimes there are antibiotics, hormones or harmful bacteria.

  Some people fast for several days during the period of Lent, usually at the beginning and at the end. Because the first week and the last one are the strictest. Interestingly, in 2018 Easter is so early that the Annunciation falls on Holy Saturday, i.e. celebrated the day before Easter. Therefore, on Holy Saturday, you can not fast this year strictly, but eat fish.

  In addition, bodily abstinence implies not only restriction in food, but also in sexual activity. Spouses are encouraged to take a break from certain relationships, and singles are strictly forbidden to marry throughout the entire period of fasting, starting with Maslenitsa and ending with Bright Week. These days the Church does not marry anyone, and weddings are not played.

  Lent weeks

  The entire Great Lent lasts 48 days, but why then in the literature it is called “Holy Forty-days”? The fact is that fasting consists of 7 weeks (49 days), of which the last (Passionate) is not included in the days of Great Lent. And two days in the week Vai - Lazarev Saturday and Palm Sunday also do not apply to fasting due to the fact that on these days the fast is relaxed (on Saturday you can eat fish caviar, and on Palm Sunday - fish).

  

  It is worth eating strictly according to the rules.

  Each week of Lent, which begins on February 19 in 2018, has its own meaning and name. The beginning of the fast is usually strict, the first week is the most demanding in terms of restrictions on food and entertainment. Many diligent and strong parishioners eat only bread and drink water this week. Be sure to visit the temple on these days, where the Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian bows down to earth. This is a very beautiful service (during Lent, there are generally the most beautiful services of the year).

  On the first week, it is recommended for everyone to have a detailed confession and communion of the Holy Mysteries with the blessing of the spiritual father. You can learn more about this in the church and related literature. At the end of the first week, the Triumph of Orthodoxy is celebrated. This is a special service commemorating the ancient victory of the Orthodox faith over heretical teachings.

  The second week is dedicated to St. Gregory Palamas and his teaching about the Uncreated Light.

  The third week is called the Worship of the Cross, at which time the Cross is brought to the middle of the temple for worship.

  Fourth week - St. John of the Ladder, who wrote the spiritual book The Ladder.

  The fifth week is dedicated to the exploits of St. Mary of Egypt, and teaches us the power of repentance through the example of her miraculous conversion from a sinful life. On Wednesday of this week, the entire canon of St. Andrew of Crete (which was read every day in the first week), this service is called "The Standing of Mary of Egypt." The life of the saint is read on it. The Saturday of this week is called "Saturday of the Akathist," and the Akathist of the Mother of God is read at the evening service.

  The sixth week is Palm, on which Saturday is called "Lazarev", and Sunday is Palm (the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem).

  And finally, the last week of Great Lent is Passionate. The most severe week, in which the sufferings of the Savior, His crucifixion, and death are remembered. The beginning of Passionate in 2018 - April 2.
  

  The total duration of the fast is 48 days. It starts on Monday, seven weeks before Easter and ends on Saturday, before Easter.

  The first week of fasting is carried out with particular rigor. On the first day, complete abstinence from food is taken. Then, from Tuesday to Friday, dry eating is allowed (they eat bread, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, honey, drink water), and on Saturday and Sunday - hot food with butter.

  In the second to sixth weeks of Great Lent, dry eating is established on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, hot food without oil is allowed on Tuesday and Thursday, and hot food with oil on Saturday and Sunday.

  During Passion Week (the last week of fasting), dry eating is prescribed, and on Friday you cannot eat until the shroud is taken out.

  On the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos (April 7) (if it did not fall on Holy Week) and Palm Sunday (a week before Easter), it is allowed to eat fish. On Lazarev Saturday (before Palm Sunday) you can eat fish caviar.

  Begins on Monday 57th day after Easter (one week after Trinity), and always ends on July 11 (inclusive). In 2017, it lasts 30 days.

  On Petrovsky fast, fish is allowed on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, hot food without oil on Monday, and dry food on Wednesday and Friday.

  On the feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7), you can eat fish (no matter what day it falls on).

  During the Dormition Lent on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, dry eating is allowed, on Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, on Saturday and Sunday - hot food with oil.

  On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), you can eat fish (no matter what day it falls on).

  From November 28 to the feast of St. Nicholas (December 19 inclusive), hot food without oil is allowed on Monday, fish is allowed on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and dry eating is allowed on Wednesday and Friday.

  From December 20 to January 1, on Tuesday and Thursday, it is already forbidden to eat fish; instead, hot food with butter is allowed. The rest of the days remain unchanged.

  From January 2 to January 6, dry eating is prescribed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, hot food without oil on Tuesday and Thursday, hot food with oil on Saturday and Sunday.

  On Christmas Eve (January 6), you cannot eat until the first star appears in the sky, after which it is customary to eat juicy wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins.

  On the feast days of the Entry of the Virgin into the Temple (December 4) and St. Nicholas (December 19), fish can be eaten on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.