Do not do during fasting. Great post what is it? Lent food calendar

Posts are one-day and multi-day. Wednesday and Friday are considered one-day, as well as three fasts “in number” - on the Exaltation, on the day of the Beheading of St. John, and on Theophany. There are four fasts of many days: Veliky, Petrovsky, Rozhdestvensky and Uspensky. There is an opinion that fasting involves only abstinence in food. But it is not. Consider what you can not do in a post in order to conduct it correctly.

Entertainment

In fasting, you can’t indulge in fun, go to entertainment events, sing, have fun, dance, attend concerts, film screenings, shows. It is also not recommended to organize holidays on your own, this applies to feasts for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, housewarming, celebrating passing exams or receiving diplomas, seeing off to the army, and so on. It is forbidden to swear, gossip.

Alcohol

In accordance with the diet, alcohol is not prohibited during fasting, it is not of animal origin. But drinking is always associated with fun, so…

To understand what you can’t do during Great Lent 2016, you need to carefully understand what this period is and how it differs from other days during the year. From a spiritual point of view, fasting before Easter is a time of long prayer, restrictions in all areas of life.

Don't start your fast feeling downhearted about how you can live without "normal" food and entertainment. The fact is that fasting is not a time of despondency, but a time of philosophical reflection of a person about eternity, faith and one's attitude towards this. So, in Great Lent you can’t have fun, have intimacy, think badly and do bad deeds. On Forgiveness Sunday, you need to cleanse your soul.

The restrictions on what is forbidden to do in fasting are quite large. They are listed briefly above, but it is necessary to take into account not only these components, but everything that concerns them. For example - the rejection of entertainment, it is even abstaining from watching entertainment programs and films. All in all,…

Home » About M&F, Comfort » Do's and Don'ts during Lent

Just as the prophets, apostles and Jesus himself fasted, the Orthodox Church recommends fasting to all its parishioners. Today begins Great Lent - the longest and most strict of all four fasts of the year. For 48 days, we are not recommended to eat animal food, as well as indulge in passions.

What does this mean for a Christian? Read more about food during Lent here. And in this article we will analyze what can and cannot be done during fasting.

Fast days are every Wednesday and Friday, as well as four fasts throughout the year, which last a different number of days. Lent is the longest and most strict of them.

What can a Christian do while fasting? First of all, read spiritual literature, try not to get angry, not offended, not to experience negative emotions towards anyone. We must understand that as we ourselves are a person (originally ...

Easter is a great Christian holiday that unites all historical churches and a significant part of the Protestant denominations. In order for believers to be able to prepare for it, they observe a fast called the Great. This process of spiritual cleansing, among other things, involves the refusal and restriction in the use of certain types of food. Even during the years of atheism, there were people in our country who faithfully observed the rules prescribed by the Orthodox Church for believers, and today millions of believers observe Great Lent. What is possible, what cannot be eaten, and what should be the menu in preparation for Easter, will be described below.

A bit of history

An example of refusing all earthly joys, including eating food, was shown to his flock by Jesus Christ himself, who, after his baptism by John the Baptist, retired to the desert for 40 days. The early Christians turned this into a tradition and observed only one fast during the year, preceding Easter. In this period…

When preparing for the first time, together with the rest of the believers, to take part in the observance of Great Lent, a novice Orthodox Christian, first of all, seeks information about what cannot be eaten during Great Lent and what cannot be done during fasting. Most of our compatriots have a vague idea of ​​church prohibitions. We know that meat, eggs and dairy products should not be eaten during fasting, and this is where our knowledge of foods that should be avoided during abstinence, as a rule, ends. In fact, the list of restrictions is much wider, moreover, the strict Orthodox Lent is designed in such a way that on some of its days the bans on certain foods are lifted for the sake of the consolation of believers. Conventionally, the days of fasting before Easter can be divided into more and less strict and festive, and, based on this, control your fasting diet. With the second point - what can not be done in fasting - everything is much worse: having learned that in addition to food restrictions, ...

The body of a fasting person, without being burdened with food, becomes light, strengthened to receive grace-filled gifts. Fasting subdues the desires of the flesh, softens the temper, suppresses anger, restrains the impulses of the heart, invigorates the mind, brings peace to the soul, eliminates intemperance. By fasting, as Saint Basil the Great says, by an auspicious fast, by avoiding every sin committed by all the senses, we fulfill the pious duty of an Orthodox Christian.

In ancient times, fasting was very strict. It was allowed to eat only bread, dried fruits and vegetables, and this could be done only once a day - in the evening. Joy, fun, holidays - everything was excluded during the fast. In Russia, during the days of Lent, all entertainment events were also prohibited, various spectacles were canceled, butcher shops were closed, and even court proceedings were suspended. The main…

Text: Evgenia Bagma

Fasting is always a limitation. Moreover, not only in food, but also in habits and even entertainment. However, there is nothing superfluous in such abstinence - people have been observing Great Lent for centuries, and the fact that something cannot be eaten or something cannot be done does not frighten them.

It is more important to know what is forbidden during fasting than what is allowed. After all, one single flaw will cross out the whole good deed, and additional abstinence has never brought harm to anyone.

What can not be eaten during fasting?

Great Lent consists of many prohibitions, many different “not allowed”, which is quite logical. What can not be eaten during fasting? You should deny yourself the following products:

animal products (meat, fish, chicken, milk, eggs);
white bread, buns;
candies;
mayonnaise.

Also, most of the post you will not be able to cook and ...

1. all products containing meat and meat products
2. all products containing milk and dairy ingredients, incl. powdered milk
3. all products containing eggs
3. fish
4. vegetable oil and alcohol

Under the ban: chocolate, pastries and mostly “fast food”.

What you can eat and what you can’t eat during the weeks (weeks) of Great Lent

1, 4, 7 weeks of Great Lent from Monday to Friday inclusive - dry food, food even without vegetable oil.
Lay people are allowed to eat boiled food, as an exception, vegetable oil is allowed.

2, 3, 5, 6 weeks from Monday to Friday: according to the charter - boiled food.
Lay people are allowed food with vegetable oil. As an exception, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, the laity can eat ...

We have all wondered more than once about what you can eat in Lent and how to diversify the table so as not to harm the body. After all, it is known that Great Lent will help to cleanse only if you follow the rules of eating and provide yourself with good nutrition.

If you decide to adhere to the rules of strict fasting, this does not mean that you will have to starve. Be prudent and try not to harm your body by earnest "mortification" of the flesh. Even during fasting, you can provide yourself with a complete, healthier diet.

Great Lent: Allowed Foods

In order for you to feel the joy and holiness of eating in your soul and body, your food should be varied, but simple.

Vegetables and fruits: boiled, stewed, baked - should be the basis of your diet. Let carrots, potatoes, beets, sauerkraut and cucumbers be on your table. Don't forget corn, peas, lettuce, apples,…

If you have decided to endure Great Lent 2015, our tips will help you to spend this time according to the rules.

During the Great Lent it is forbidden to eat meat, fish, eggs, milk, smoke and drink alcoholic beverages; eat more than once a day.

Only plant foods are allowed (fruits, vegetables, dried fruits), pickles (sauerkraut, pickled and pickled cucumbers), crackers, dryers, tea, mushrooms, nuts, black and gray bread, kissels, cereals on the water.

On Saturdays and Sundays during Great Lent, you can eat vegetable oil, wine and eat twice a day. On holidays that coincide with fasting, fasting becomes less strict: on Lazarus Saturday you can caviar, and on the Annunciation, on Palm Sunday - fish.

The first four days of Great Lent, as well as the entire Passion Week, are the strictest days of Lent. On Good Friday, you can't eat anything. Complete abstinence from food is accepted on Clean Monday. On Friday of the first week, you can only eat (boiled wheat sweetened with honey or ...

Foods that are excluded during fasting

The list of products that the Church forbids to eat during fasts includes everything for the production of which raw materials of animal origin were used. First of all, the ban applies to meat and any meat products, as well as poultry and eggs. Under the ban milk and everything connected with it: butter, sour cream, cottage cheese, dairy products and drinks, cheeses. In fasting, it is forbidden to eat pasta, white and rich bread, cakes, cookies, waffles and any pastries that contain butter, eggs and milk. Do not forget that you can not eat mayonnaise, because eggs are also used to make it.

Some foods, such as fish and vegetable oil, can only be eaten on fasting days that are considered non-strict, even though vegetable oil is not of animal origin. The ban also applies to chocolate and fast food, which are high in fat. Alcoholic beverages, including beer, should not be consumed during fasting.

Great post - the main (or only) long post in many Christian denominations (Orthodoxy, Catholicism and others), the purpose of which is to prepare for the celebration of Easter; also the corresponding period of the liturgical year, marked in the service by the motives of repentance and remembrance of the death on the cross and the resurrection of Christ. Installed in imitation of Jesus Christ, who fasted in the wilderness for forty days. The duration of Lent is somehow related to the number 40, but its actual duration depends on the calculation rules adopted in this particular denomination.
Meals in Lent
With regard to the meal, the Church Charter prescribes the following rules:
in the first and last (Holy Week) weeks - a particularly strict fast;
"fast" products are completely prohibited;
you can eat once a day, in the evening; but on Saturdays and Sundays - twice, at lunchtime and in the evening;
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - cold food without oil;
Tuesdays and...

THE MEANING OF THE POST

WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND WHAT CANNOT BE EATED IN LASTING?

POST AND SPORT

LASTING AND UNBELIEVING RELATIVES

WEDDING AND POST

HOW TO FAST FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN?

THE MEANING OF THE POST

Why are there so many restrictions on pleasures, food, and sexual relations in Orthodoxy? It seems that no harm is done to others, the commandment to love one's neighbor is not violated. Why is it necessary to “kill your body”, your desires? Why such lack of freedom?

- Our body is not killed by restrictions on food and other pleasures, but by excess in them. And besides, even if we do not harm others and do not violate the commandment to love our neighbor, we still need to love God. This is where certain restrictions on pleasure come from, since love, when it exists, is manifested in action, in our actions.

For example, it's easy to say, "I don't love myself," but our deeds show that we love ourselves exactly as we should love God. And you can just as easily say: "I ...

Priest Pavel Gumerov, cleric of the church of St. Nicholas at the Rogozhsky cemetery in Moscow:

- I remember when Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" was released, it made a huge impression on many people, especially non-church people. One of my acquaintances went to watch this picture in the cinema, and then he told me that the young people, who, as always, prepared popcorn and various drinks before the show to have a good time, could not eat a crumb until the very end of the film. Everyone sat in silence for the entire session. There are known cases of coming to faith, baptism of people after watching this film. There have been cases abroad when people who committed crimes many years ago and escaped punishment repented and came to surrender to justice.

Such an impression on them was made by the events of Holy Week, described in the picture. They realized: what a terrible sacrifice was made for us, and how great were the sufferings of Christ. But Gibson, as a Catholic, of course, made the main emphasis ...

What is not allowed in Great Lent?

Great Lent is an ideal time to indulge in asceticism, give up fun and idleness, and devote your time to simple labor for body and soul. Now many do not fast at all, and some do it only formally - for example, refusing meat dishes. It is important to understand what is forbidden during fasting, not only in terms of food, but also in terms of actions.

What can not be done in Lent?

The basis of fasting is not a dietary restriction at all, but spiritual restrictions. It is during the period of fasting that the ascetic lifestyle, repentance, and observance of the commandments are considered the most favorable. Consider the prohibitions in the post in more detail:

it is forbidden to lead an active social life, have fun, indulge in idleness and laziness; you should not attend any entertainment events, whether it be cinema, theater or an interest club; it is important to carefully observe all the commandments and repent if such emotions as anger, envy, aggression, ...

Great Lent has begun. Someone decided to fast for the first time, but for someone it is an annual ceremony. But, there are still people who ask the question: “Why is it important? Is it really necessary?”, “What can and cannot be eaten?”.

Great post what is it?

Fasting is an important part of Christians. The majesty and meaning of Great Lent lies not only in abstaining from food. Fasting teaches temperance in general. The inability to deny yourself leads to disaster. First of all, fasting is a spiritual exercise, a pursuit of God, not a diet.

The fast lasts for 40 days or seven weeks.

Let's take a look at popular misconceptions about fasting.
1. Fasting is not a diet, not hunger, and clearly does not include the goal of losing weight. Many, even completely unbelievers, refuse meat and other products, but this does not mean that they are fasting. Fasting is possible in the presence of prayer, communication with God.
2. The main thing is not to lose God during fasting, and not to strive to fulfill the external obligations of fasting. To experience pangs of conscience after biting off a piece of meat, but not to experience it when you are angry with your own children, yell at your spouse, etc. The main thing is not to eat each other, especially during fasting.
3. Avoid arrogance. During fasting, a person's gaze should be focused on himself, and not on others.
4. Fast in secret. Some Christians, having started fasting, endlessly say that they are fasting. Everyone should understand how they go every day. Their facial expressions and mannerisms emphasize the feat they are accomplishing. But you need to perceive Fasting before God, and not before people.

How to fast properly

In order to fast properly, you must know the following:
- on fasting days, a person refuses food containing animal fats.
- From the reception of hot food will have to be partially abandoned.
-much attention is also paid to dry eating (however, it should be remembered that dry eating is a very difficult type of fast, so before starting dry eating, you should consult with your confessor).
-Despite the fact that the bread is cooked in a hot oven, you can still eat it.
- drink enough water to maintain the water-salt balance
- eat in small portions and more often, 6-7 times a day
-be sure to include protein-rich foods in the diet to make up for the forbidden meat
-Do not forget that fasting is a voluntary abstinence from food, which shows how Christians are able to refrain from unclean passions.

Lent symbolizes the wandering of Jesus Christ in the wilderness for 40 days, when he resisted the temptation of the devil and did not eat. By refusing food, Jesus began the salvation of all mankind. Lent is an important holiday for Christians. During the days of Great Lent, Christians mainly eat dry food. Lent lasts seven weeks. In the first and last week, fasting is especially strict. On Saturdays and Sundays, vegetable oil and grape wine are allowed. Fish is allowed only on the holidays of the Annunciation and Palm Sunday. Do not forget that despite the fact that the traditions of refusing food for many years, even the monks do not fully adhere to them. The severity of such a fast is not obligatory for the laity.

Who can't fast?

Fasting is undesirable, and in some cases even contraindicated for the following laymen
-pregnant women
-People who have recently had surgery
-children under 12 years old
- with ischemia of the heart
- with stomach ulcers and gastritis
- people suffering from hypo- and hypertension
- with diseases of the joints, osteoporosis
- with blood diseases, especially with anemia
- people engaged in hard work, in military service, etc.

What You Can and Cannot Eat During Lent

In this section of our article, we will not only give you a list of products that are allowed and prohibited for use in fasting, but also tell you how to eat in fasting by day, what recipes you can adopt.

Lent food calendar

To begin with, we will give you a table-calendar that will help you orient yourself by day in eating food.

What can you eat during Lent?

Vegetables (cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, sweet peppers, greens)
Cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice, corn, wheat, barley)
Legumes (beans, beans, peas, lentils)
Fruit
Mushrooms
Fish (only twice in the entire post)
Sweets (e.g. halvah, dried fruits, nuts, dark chocolate, honey, sugar, lollipops, sugar-coated cranberries)
Drinks (juice, tea, coffee, uzvara, fruit drink, jelly. Grape wine on weekends)

What can not be eaten in Lent?

Meat and semi-finished products from it
-dairy
- bread and pastries, if they are made with the addition of eggs, butter, milk
-eggs
- sweets containing milk
-alcohol

Recipes for Lenten Meals During Lent

Bean soup without vegetable oil

To get started, you'll need good beans, onion heads, a few tomatoes, kitchen salt, herbs, and a couple of fresh celery leaves. Before you start all this cooking, you need to prepare the workplace. After that, you should cut the onion into small pieces and pour 4 tbsp. spoons of cold water and then boil over medium heat. At night, you should soak the beans, after the onion is cooked, add the beans, 1 tbsp. a spoon is enough, but if you want to make the soup more saturated, you can add 2 tbsp. Spoons. Do not forget about the tomatoes, they should be chopped and also thrown into boiling water. We wait about 20 minutes, add salt, mix, and you can remove the soup from the heat, before serving the soup on the table, you should add parsley and a couple of celery leaves, they will add flavor and taste to our soup. It should be noted that this soup is suitable for people who are overweight, not only during fasting, but also on any other day.

Quite a popular dish during fasting is herring under a fur coat.
What you need to know when preparing this dish. First of all, you need to buy a herring, 2 should be enough, however, if the table involves more people, more is possible. In addition to fish, boiled potatoes, carrots and onions are also needed. All this must be crushed, for this we need a grater. To give the dish a beautiful look, you need a flat saucer, on which we will place layers with potatoes, fish and onions. After all this is cooked, the layers are laid out, you should spread the dishes with mayonnaise. When you have finished cooking, let the dish brew, then its taste will be richer and more pleasant.

In order to cook this caviar, you will need dried mushrooms, these mushrooms can also be salted or a mixture of them can be used. It is better to collect mushrooms for this in the forest or buy them in the market. Before you cook them, you need to wash them thoroughly, then cook them until cooked, and after that cool and chop them into small pieces. If you are making caviar from salted mushrooms, they should also be washed in cold water. Cut onion into small rings and fry in oil with mushrooms, then simmer them for about 15 minutes. A few minutes before stewing, add some spices and crushed garlic, pepper to add spice, salt to taste and pour over with vinegar. The caviar is ready, now it is better to leave the caviar to stand for 20-30 minutes so that it brews and absorbs all the components. Enjoy your meal!

Oat pancakes

To prepare such a lenten breakfast, you will need oatmeal, water, yeast, flour, salt and, of course, vegetable oil. Pour oatmeal into an iron bowl, mix, pour 2 cups of warm water (not boiling water) into it, pour sugar, salt and a bag of yeast into it, mix it all thoroughly and add flour. Somewhere in half an hour, mix again and you can proceed to the pancakes. To do this, heat the pan and pour vegetable oil into it. It remains now only to fry the pancakes. Pancakes are useful with honey and jam, so they are best served together. This breakfast is not only lean, but quite healthy.

Before cooking, put the water to boil, cut the potatoes into quarters, pour the canned red beans into the pan, mix, you should also cut the carrots, onions, and a little greenery in order to give a pleasant aroma to the soup. Boil all these ingredients in a pot covered with a lid for 20 minutes. Salt to taste, throw crushed garlic, red pepper, tomato juice and tomato paste. Boil for about 10 minutes and throw some greens there.

To prepare this dish, it is necessary to boil finely chopped carrots and beets in salted boiled water. In another saucepan, it is advisable to boil finely chopped potatoes (in cubes) separately. These decoctions should be combined and preserved. These vegetables should be thrown into a colander and mixed with chopped cucumbers. Get a jar of canned peas and pour the contents into a bowl. In another bowl, pour 1 glass of vegetable oil and a glass of red wine, squeezed lemon juice and salt. Bring this marinade to a boil. Salad should be poured with marinade and mixed. Leave the salad for 30 minutes to infuse. This vinaigrette is quite high-calorie and healthy, it should be consumed not only during fasting.

In our next article, we will tell you how to properly compose a lenten menu, which dishes are better to include and which are not, we will give an approximate menu for the week. Follow our releases, subscribe to updates.

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From Monday, June 4, 2018, one of the longest posts of the year began - Petrov post. It is long, because it is multi-day, this fast lasts until the day of Peter and Paul, which falls on July 12.

The main task of fasting is to prepare a Christian morally and physically for a holiday dedicated to the actual founders of the Christian church. Therefore, its significance is only a little less than that of Great Lent.

Peter's Lent, which is also called apostolic, has its own characteristics, its own traditions, and, given the beginning of summer, its own dishes.

Petrov post is considered first summer post. He prepares all Orthodox for an important holiday. The fast was established in honor of the holy apostles Peter and Paul and was named Petropavlovsk, but due to inconvenient pronunciation, it was simplified to “Petrov fast”, since the name of Peter appears first in the name of the holiday.

Petrov fast is considered non-strict. Believers during this period refuse to take dairy and meat food, however, unlike Lent, you can eat fish.

In addition, many see some symbolism in this, because the apostles themselves, with whom the establishment of fasting is associated, were fishermen, and Peter is also their patron.

During fasting, you can and even need to pray a lot. The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul fervently prayed from day to day, and in order to become like them, honoring their memory, the Church encourages believers to also read prayers intensely. You should also read the Holy Scripture, which helps to strengthen faith and find answers to important questions in life.

Helping others is of no small importance. Of course, this is not necessary, but in order to protect yourself and your soul from torment, it is better to be kinder to people. During Peter's Lent it is important to keep your soul in a state of meekness and humility.

However, it is very important to know not only what can and should be done on Petrov Lent, but also to understand what absolutely should not be done.

Editorial "So simple!" invites you to know what is strictly prohibited during this summer post.

What not to do while fasting

It is worth mentioning also omens and folk beliefs. One of the most common signs associated with Peter's Lent says that marriages entered into at this time are fragile. This, of course, is complete nonsense!

Another thing is that if you are a believer, you simply will not celebrate such an event at this time. After all, Peter's fast implies restrictions both in terms of entertainment and in the sense of the table. So it’s much easier to move a joyful event for some time after Lent.

In addition, according to folk customs, it is undesirable to do needlework, lend money, get a haircut (the hair will be sparse), as well as perform rituals, read conspiracies, tell fortunes (although the latter is already forbidden for a believing Orthodox person).

Not only deeply religious, but also worldly people often ask themselves the question: is it possible to do cleaning on Sunday? After all, often during the week, many housewives fail to maintain perfect cleanliness, so part of the hassle - washing, cleaning and ironing - is postponed for the weekend.

Text: Evgenia Bagma

Fasting is always a limitation. Moreover, not only in food, but also in habits and even entertainment. However, there is nothing superfluous in such abstinence - people have been observing Great Lent for centuries, and the fact that something cannot be eaten or something cannot be done does not frighten them.

What can not be eaten during fasting?

Great Lent consists of many prohibitions, many different “not allowed”, which is quite logical. What is not allowed during Lent to eat? You should deny yourself the following products:

• animal products (meat, fish, chicken, milk, eggs);


• white bread, buns;


• candies;


• mayonnaise.

Also, for most of the fast, you will not be able to cook or eat food with oil. However, there are also concessions - on the twelfth holidays (Annunciation and Palm Sunday) it is allowed to eat fish, on Lazarus Saturday (on the eve of Palm Sunday) fish caviar. In general, fasting can be both strict and non-strict. In the second case, secular people are allowed to eat fish or add oil to food.

What can not be done in the post?

It cannot be said that the dietary component is the basis of fasting, on the contrary, the basis of fasting is its spiritual part. Thus, the meaning of Great Lent is repentance, which requires restrictions in habits and lifestyle. Therefore, there are certain recommendations on what not to do in fasting:

• you can not smoke and drink alcoholic beverages (except for wine on permitted days and in permissible volumes);


• it is desirable to limit secular communication and external impressions, for example, you should not go to the cinema, you should not attend concerts, it is better to reduce TV viewing, etc.;


• during fasting, marital abstinence is recommended.

Lent is a time when a Christian frees his body and soul from various earthly needs that enslave his spirit. Therefore, it is important to remember not only what should not be eaten during fasting, but also what should not be done during fasting. It is not enough just to "go on a diet," since true Orthodox fasting is both bodily and spiritual abstinence.

Fasting has become quite popular lately. From year to year, more and more people restrict themselves in food for the purpose of physical recovery and spiritual cleansing. Believers, of course, know well how to fast. Our article is intended for those who are going to fast for the first time, we will tell you about the meaning of fasting, what it is for, how to fast, what you can and cannot eat during fasting, and also about who is allowed to relax fasting .

Is it necessary to fast?

First of all, it is worth saying that the meaning of any fast, according to the Orthodox Church, is to purify the spirit and body from earthly passions, anger and hatred. Jesus Christ himself in his sermons said that fasting should be an impulse of the soul, which is looking for calm, peace and harmony. In no case should you fast for show in order to impress others. Fasting should be dedicated only to God, and do it with joy and from the heart.

People have long fasted before doing something important, when they especially needed strength and wisdom from God. You should also fast in order to humble your soul before God and purify your heart, approaching him. God accepts only such a fast, only such a fast is pleasing to God, and only in such a fast will he accept and hear the sincere prayers of a person, giving him the strength to do good deeds.

The answer to the question: "Should I fast?" each person gives. It is important that you really want it, that it be the sincere desire of your soul.

According to the Bible, fasting is not even a reduction in the diet with the removal of fast food from it, it is a complete abstinence from food, sometimes with abstinence from drinking, and also with the rejection of sexual relations for a certain period of time. This is the time during which a person humbles and crushes his pride before God and puts himself in his power and mercy. According to the Bible, one should fast only out of love for God and only in front of him, without showing off and hypocrisy.

The second popular question related to fasting is: “Is it possible not to fast under certain circumstances in life?” The Bible says that the most important thing is spiritual fasting, and only then - bodily. Those. during the period of fasting, you must definitely live in humility and chastity, read prayers, take communion, and fasting can be not too strict. Compliance requires only the first and last 7 days of fasting. The Church officially allows not to fast:

• pregnant women and nursing mothers
• travelers
• old people

Physicians add to this list:

• cancer patients
• adolescents who need large amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals
• people with pressure problems, gastrointestinal diseases, heart failure
• people doing hard physical labor
• people living in extreme climatic conditions

In general, according to church rules, each person sets the degree of strictness of fasting for himself after a conversation with his spiritual mentor: the more a person feels himself a sinner, the more strict fasting he must observe, and most importantly, the more sincerely he must want to observe it!

How to fast in a post

Now let's talk about how to fast in the post. Great Lent is coming, how to fast? First of all, you should think about spiritual cleansing and, in this regard, reduce watching TV, using the Internet and listening to music. In addition, you should spend more time at home with your family, avoid noisy companies and other entertainment. It's great if you manage to reduce the amount of intimacy during the fasting period, it is strictly prohibited in the first and last weeks of fasting. Fasting without prayer makes practically no sense, it is also necessary to make peace with all your neighbors during fasting, go to church every Sunday and confess and take communion at least once a month.

We have dealt with spiritual fasting. Now let's talk about. The strictest days of fasting are the first four days, as well as the entire last week before Easter. At the same time, on the first Monday of Lent (Clean Monday) and on the last Friday before Easter (Good Friday), you can’t eat or drink anything at all. The rest of the days dry eating is allowed (fruits, nuts, seeds, salted, fresh or pickled vegetables).

During fasting, you can not smoke, drink alcohol (with the exception of red wine on weekends and on holidays that fall during this period), meat, fish, eggs, milk and all products containing them. Still you can not eat vegetable oil, it is allowed only on weekends.

You should eat no more than once a day if you adhere to a strict fast, and no more than two - with a non-strict fast.

Meals during fasting are built according to the schedule:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday - dry eating (water, bread, fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, honey, nuts)
• Tuesday, Thursday - hot food without oil is allowed (tea, coffee, cereals, thermally processed vegetables)
• Saturday, Sunday - you can eat any food 2 times a day, except for fast food, plus vegetable oil

On the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and Palm Sunday, you can eat fish, and on Lazarus Saturday - fish caviar.

Tip: drink plenty of water throughout the fast to prevent dehydration. Remember that the smell of cinnamon or cloves helps fight hunger.

How to Fast Before Communion

And the last thing in the context of fasting is fasting before communion. Few know how to fast before communion. Be sure to fast before communion for those people who do not fast during the year and take communion only once a year, for example, at Easter. In this case, you should fast for a week before Communion, and one day before Communion, you should completely refuse food and water.

If you observe fasts throughout the year and fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, then the Eucharistic fast will be enough for you, i.e. fasting communion.

In addition to observing fasting, before communion one should read the rules, canons and prayers before communion, which are in any prayer book.

Remember that the most important thing in fasting is not food restrictions, but the purification of the soul. It is worth refusing not so much from food as from the passions of earthly life that burden our souls. Then the post will be a joy.