When does strict fasting begin? Calendar of Orthodox fasts
Fast is a complex spiritual practice associated with the physical and spiritual limitations of a person who is a believer and honors religious traditions. You will be presented with a complete calendar of Orthodox fasts in 2016 in order to facilitate the quest of a Christian and give him a reliable tool for unity with God.
It is important to consider that fasting is not only restrictions on food intake, but additional spiritual practices associated with prayer and the fight against worldly passions....
The Savior himself was led by spirit into the desert, was tempted by the devil for forty days and did not eat anything during these days. The Savior began the work of our salvation with fasting. Lent- a fast in honor of the Savior Himself, and the last passionate week of this forty-eight-day fast was established in honor of the memory of the last days of earthly life, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
Fasting is observed with particular strictness during the first and passionate weeks. On Clean Monday, complete abstinence from food is accepted. 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 in Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary(April 7) and on Palm Sunday(in 2016 April 24). IN Lazarus Saturday(23 April in 2016) fish caviar is allowed. IN good friday(in 2016 on April 29) you cannot eat food before the shroud is taken out.
Read also:
Petrov post (June 27 - July 11, 2016)
Petrov's fast is also called Apostolic fasting.
On 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 summer. The continuation of the fast varies depending on how early or late it is Easter.
It always starts on All Saints Monday and ends on July 12th. The longest Petrov fast consists of six weeks, and the shortest one is a week and a day. This fast was established in honor of the Holy Apostles, who, through fasting and prayer, prepared for the worldwide preaching of the Gospel and prepared their successors in the work of saving service.
Strict fasting(dry eating) on Wednesday and Friday. On Monday you can have hot food without oil. On other days - fish, mushrooms, cereals with vegetable oil.
A month after Apostolic Fast many days come Dormition post. It lasts two weeks - from August 14 to 27. With this fast, the Church calls us to imitate the Mother of God, who, before her resettlement to heaven, constantly remained in fasting and prayer.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - dry eating. Tuesday, Thursday - hot food without oil. On Saturday and Sunday, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
In a day Transfiguration of the Lord(August 19) Fish allowed. Fish day in Assumption, if it falls on Wednesday or Friday.
Nativity Fast (November 28 - January 6, 2016)
Christmas (Filippov) post. At the end of autumn, 40 days before the great feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Church calls us to winter fasting. It is called both Filippov, because it begins after the day dedicated to the memory of the Apostle Philip, and Christmas, because it occurs before the holiday Christmas Christ's.
This fast was established in order for us to offer a grateful sacrifice to the Lord for the collected earthly fruits and to prepare for a gracious union with the born Savior.
The food regulations coincide with the regulations Petrov's post, until the day of St. Nicholas (December 19).
If it's a holiday Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple falls on Wednesday or Friday, then fish is allowed. After the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas and before the forefeast of Christmas, fish is allowed on Saturday and Sunday. On the eve of the feast, you cannot eat fish on all days; on Saturday and Sunday - food with oil.
On Christmas Eve you cannot eat food until the first star appears, after which it is customary to eat juice - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins.
Solid weeks
- Week - a week from Monday to Sunday. These days there is no fasting on Wednesday and Friday.
- There are five continuous weeks:
- Christmas time - from January 7 to January 18,
- The Publican and the Pharisee - 2 weeks before Great Lent from February 22, 2016 to February 28,
- Cheese (Maslenitsa) - the week before Lent (without meat) from March 7, 2016 to March 13,
- Easter (Light) - week after Easter from May 2 to May 8, 2016,
- Trinity - the week after Trinity from June 20 to June 26, 2016.
The fixed part of the church calendar is the Julian calendar, which differs by 13 days from the Gregorian calendar. These holidays fall on the same day of the same month every year.
The moving part of the church calendar moves along with the date of Easter, which changes from year to year. The date of Easter celebration itself is determined according to the lunar calendar and a number of additional dogmatic factors (not to celebrate Easter with the Jews, to celebrate Easter only after the spring equinox, to celebrate Easter only after the first spring full moon). All holidays with variable dates are counted from Easter and move in time on the “secular” calendar along with it.
Thus, both parts of the Easter calendar (movable and fixed) together determine the calendar of Orthodox holidays.
The following are the most significant events for an Orthodox Christian - the so-called Twelfth Feasts and Great Holidays. Although the Orthodox Church celebrates holidays according to the “old style”, which differs by 13 days, the dates in the Calendar, for convenience, are indicated according to the generally accepted secular calendar of the new style.
Orthodox calendar for 2016:
Permanent holidays:07.01 - Nativity of Christ (twelfth)
14.01 - Circumcision of the Lord (great)
19.01 - Epiphany of the Lord (twelfth)
15.02 - Presentation of the Lord (twelfth)
07.04 - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
21.05 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
22.05 - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker
07.07 - Nativity of John the Baptist (great)
12.07 - Holy First. apostles Peter and Paul (great)
19.08 - Transfiguration of the Lord (twelfth)
28.08 - Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
11.09 - Beheading of John the Baptist (great)
21.09 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
27.09 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross (twelfth)
09.10 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
14.10 - Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (great)
04.12 - Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
19.12 - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker
Days of special remembrance of the dead
05.03 - Ecumenical Parents' Saturday (Saturday before the week of the Last Judgment)
26.03 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent
02.04 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent
09.04 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 4th week of Lent
10.05 - Radonitsa (Tuesday of the 2nd week of Easter)
09.05 - Commemoration of deceased soldiers
18.06 - Trinity Parents' Saturday (Saturday before Trinity)
05.11 - Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday (Saturday before November 8)
ABOUT ORTHODOX HOLIDAYS:
TWELVETH HOLIDAYS
In worship Orthodox Church twelve great holidays of the annual liturgical circle (except Easter). Divided into The Lord's, dedicated to Jesus Christ, and the Theotokos, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
According to the time of celebration, the twelfth holidays are divided into motionless(non-transient) and movable(transitionable). The former are constantly celebrated on the same dates of the month, the latter fall on different dates every year, depending on the date of celebration Easter.
ABOUT MEAL ON HOLIDAYS:
According to the Church Charter on holidays Nativity of Christ And Epiphanies, happened on Wednesday and Friday, there is no post.
IN Christmas And Epiphany Christmas Eve and on holidays Exaltation of the Holy Cross And Beheading of John the Baptist Food with vegetable oil is allowed.
On the feasts of the Presentation, Transfiguration of the Lord, Dormition, Nativity and Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Theologian, which occurred on Wednesday and Friday, as well as in the period from Easter before Trinity Fish is allowed on Wednesday and Friday.
ABOUT FASTS IN ORTHODOXY:
Fast- a form of religious asceticism, the exercise of spirit, soul and body on the path to salvation within the framework of a religious view; voluntary self-restraint in food, entertainment, communication with the world. Corporal fasting- food restriction; sincere post- limitation of external impressions and pleasures (solitude, silence, prayerful concentration); spiritual fasting- struggle with one’s “bodily lusts”, a period of especially intense prayer.
The most important thing is to realize that physical fasting without spiritual fasting brings nothing to the salvation of the soul. On the contrary, it can be spiritually harmful if a person, abstaining from food, becomes imbued with the consciousness of his own superiority and righteousness. “He who believes that fasting only means abstaining from food is mistaken. True fasting“, - teaches St. John Chrysostom, “is removal from evil, curbing the tongue, putting aside anger, taming lusts, stopping slander, lies and perjury.” Fast- not a goal, but a means to distract yourself from enjoying your body, concentrate and think about your soul; without all this, it becomes just a diet.
Great Lent, Holy Pentecost(Greek Tessarakoste; Lat. Quadragesima) - the period of the liturgical year preceding Holy Week And Easter holiday, the most important of the multi-day fasts. Due to Easter may fall on different dates of the calendar, Lent also each year starts on different days. It includes 6 weeks, or 40 days, which is why it is also called St. Pentecostal.
Fast for an Orthodox person this is a set of good deeds, sincere prayer, abstinence in everything, including food. Physical fasting is necessary to perform spiritual and mental fasting; all of them in their combination form the post is true, promoting the spiritual reunification of those who fast with God. IN days of fasting(days of fasting) the Church Charter prohibits modest food - meat and dairy products; Fish is allowed only on certain fasting days. IN days of strict fasting Not only fish is not allowed, but any hot food and food cooked in vegetable oil, only cold food without oil and unheated drinks (sometimes called dry eating). In the Russian Orthodox Church there are four multi-day fasts, three one-day fasts and, in addition, fasting on Wednesday and Friday (with the exception of special weeks) throughout the year.
Wednesday and Friday installed as a sign that Christ was betrayed by Judas on Wednesday and crucified on Friday. Saint Athanasius the Great said: “By allowing meat to be eaten on Wednesday and Friday, this man crucifies the Lord.” During the summer and autumn meat-eaters (periods between the Petrov and Uspensky fasts and between the Uspensky and Rozhdestvensky fasts), Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting. During winter and spring meat-eaters (from Christmas to Lent and from Easter to Trinity), the Charter allows fish on Wednesday and Friday. Fish on Wednesday and Friday is also permitted when the holidays of the Presentation of the Lord, the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Temple, the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the Apostle John the Theologian fall on these days. If the holidays of the Nativity of Christ and Epiphany fall on Wednesday and Friday, then fasting on these days is canceled. On the eve (eve, Christmas Eve) of the Nativity of Christ (usually a day of strict fasting), which happens on Saturday or Sunday, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
Solid weeks(in Church Slavonic, a week is called a week - days from Monday to Sunday) means the absence of fasting on Wednesday and Friday. Established by the Church as a relaxation before a multi-day fast or as a rest after it. The continuous weeks are as follows:
1. Christmas time - from January 7 to January 18 (11 days), from Christmas to Epiphany.
2. The Publican and the Pharisee - two weeks before Great Lent.
3. Cheese - the week before Lent (eggs, fish and dairy are allowed throughout the week, but without meat).
4. Easter (Light) - week after Easter.
5. Trinity - the week after Trinity (the week before Peter's Fast).
One-day posts except Wednesday and Friday (days of strict fasting, no fish, but food with vegetable oil is allowed):
1. Epiphany Eve (Epiphany Eve) January 18, the day before the feast of the Epiphany. On this day, believers prepare themselves to receive the great shrine - Agiasma - Epiphany Holy Water, for purification and consecration with it at the upcoming holiday.
2. Beheading of John the Baptist - September 11. On this day, a fast was established in memory of the abstinent life of the great prophet John and his lawless murder by Herod.
3. Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27. This day reminds us of the sad event on Golgotha, when “for our salvation” the Savior of the human race suffered on the Cross. And therefore this day must be spent in prayer, fasting, contrition for sins, in a feeling of repentance.
MULTI-DAY POSTS:
1. Great Lent or Holy Pentecost.
It begins seven weeks before the holiday of Holy Easter and consists of Lent (forty days) and Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter). Pentecost was established in honor of the forty-day fast of the Savior Himself, and Holy Week - in remembrance of the last days of earthly life, suffering, death and burial of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The total continuation of Great Lent along with Holy Week is 48 days.
The days from the Nativity of Christ to Lent (until Maslenitsa) are called Christmas or winter meat-eater. This period contains three continuous weeks - Christmastide, Publican and Pharisee, Maslenitsa. After Christmastide, fish is allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays, until the whole week (when you can eat meat on all days of the week), which comes after the “Week of the Publican and the Pharisee” (“week” in Church Slavonic means “Sunday”). In the next week, after the full week, fish is no longer allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but vegetable oil is still allowed. Monday - food with butter, Wednesday, Friday - cold food without butter. This establishment has the purpose of gradual preparation for Great Lent. The last time before Lent, meat is allowed on the “Meat Eating Week” - the Sunday before Maslenitsa.
In the next week - cheese week (Maslenitsa), eggs, fish, and dairy products are allowed all week, but they no longer eat meat. They make a fast for Lent (the last time they eat fast food, with the exception of meat) on the last day of Maslenitsa - Forgiveness Sunday. This day is also called “Cheese Week”.
It is customary to observe the first and Holy Weeks of Great Lent with particular strictness. On Monday of the first week of Lent (Clean Monday), the highest degree of fasting is established - complete abstinence from food (pious laymen with ascetic experience abstain from food on Tuesday as well). During the remaining weeks of fasting: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - cold food without oil, Tuesday, Thursday - hot food without oil (vegetables, cereals, mushrooms), on Saturday and Sunday vegetable oil is allowed and, if necessary for health, a little pure grape wine (but in no case vodka). If the memory of a great saint occurs (with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before), then on Tuesday and Thursday - food with vegetable oil, Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot food without oil. You can find out about the holidays in the Typikon or the Followed Psalter. Fish is allowed twice during the entire fast: on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (if the holiday does not fall on Holy Week) and on Palm Sunday, on Lazarus Saturday (the Saturday before Palm Sunday) fish caviar is allowed, on Friday of Holy Week it is customary not to eat any food until it is taken out shrouds (our ancestors did not eat food at all on Good Friday).
Bright Week (the week after Easter) is continuous - fasting is allowed on all days of the week. Starting from the next week after the continuous week until Trinity (spring meat-eater), fish is allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays. The week between Trinity and Peter's Fast is continuous.
2. Petrov or Apostolic Fast.
Lent begins a week after the feast of the Holy Trinity and ends on July 12, the day of the celebration of the memory of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. Established in honor of the holy apostles and in remembrance of the fact that the holy apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, dispersed to all countries with the good news, always being in the feat of fasting and prayer. The duration of this fast varies from year to year and depends on the day of Easter. The shortest fast lasts 8 days, the longest - 6 weeks. Fish is allowed during this fast, except on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Monday - hot food without oil, Wednesday and Friday - strict fasting (cold food without oil). On other days - fish, cereals, mushroom dishes with vegetable oil. If the memory of the great saint happens on Monday, Wednesday or Friday - hot food with butter. On the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7), according to the Charter, fish is allowed.
In the period from the end of Peter's fast to the beginning of the Assumption fast (summer meat-eater), Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting. But if these days fall on the feasts of a great saint with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before, then food with vegetable oil is allowed. If temple holidays occur on Wednesday and Friday, then fish is also allowed.
3. Assumption Fast (from August 14 to August 27).
Erected in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Mother of God herself, preparing to depart into eternal life, constantly fasted and prayed. We, the spiritually infirm and weak, should all the more resort to fasting as often as possible, turning to the Most Holy Virgin for help in every need and sorrow. This fast lasts only two weeks, but its severity is consistent with the Great One. Fish is allowed only on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), and if the end of the fast (Assumption) falls on Wednesday or Friday, then this day is also a fish day. Monday, Wednesday, Friday - cold food without oil, Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, Saturday and Sunday - food with vegetable oil. Wine is prohibited on all days. If the memory of a great saint happens, then on Tuesday and Thursday - hot food with butter, Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot food without butter.
The food regulations on Wednesdays and Fridays during the period from the end of the Dormition Fast to the beginning of the Nativity Fast (autumn fast) are the same as during the summer meat-eater, i.e. on Wednesdays and Fridays, fish is allowed only on the days of the twelfths and temple holidays. Food with vegetable oil on Wednesday and Friday is allowed only if these days fall on holidays in memory of a great saint with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before.
4. Christmas (Filippov) fast (from November 28 to January 6).
This fast was established on the day of the Nativity of Christ, so that we could cleanse ourselves at this time with repentance, prayer and fasting and with a pure heart we would meet the Savior who appeared in the world. Sometimes this fast is called Filippov, as a sign that it begins after the day of celebration of the memory of the Apostle Philip (November 27). The regulations regarding food during this Lent coincide with the regulations of Petrov's Fast until St. Nicholas Day (December 19). If the feasts of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 4) and St. Nicholas fall on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, then fish is allowed. From the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas until the pre-festival of Christmas, which begins on January 2, fish is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday. On the pre-celebration of the Nativity of Christ, fasting is observed in the same way as during the days of Great Lent: fish is prohibited on all days, food with butter is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday. On Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve), January 6, pious custom requires not to eat food until the appearance of the first evening star, after which it is customary to eat kolivo or sochivo - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins; in some areas sochivo is called boiled dry fruits with sugar. The name of this day comes from the word “sochivo” - Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is also before the feast of the Epiphany. On this day (January 18), it is also customary not to eat food until taking Agiasma - Epiphany holy water, which begins to be blessed on the very day of Christmas Eve.
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Great Church holidays in 2016
Lent
(in 2016, according to the calendar, it falls on March 14 - April 30)
Lent is designated for the repentance and humility of Christians before the holiday of Easter, on which the Holy Resurrection of Christ from the dead is celebrated. This is the most significant of all Christian holidays in the Orthodox calendar.
The start and end times of Lent depend on the date of Easter, which does not have a fixed calendar date. The duration of Lent is 7 weeks. It consists of 2 fasts - Lent and Holy Week.
Lent lasts 40 days in memory of the forty-day fast of Jesus Christ in the desert. Thus, the fast is called Lent. The last seventh week of Great Lent - Holy Week - is defined in memory of the last days of earthly life, the suffering and death of Christ.
During the entire Lent calendar, including weekends, it is prohibited to consume meat, milk, cheese and eggs. Fasting must be observed with particular strictness in the first and last weeks. On the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, April 7, it is allowed to relax the fast and add vegetable oil and fish to the diet. In addition to abstaining from food during Lent, one must diligently pray that the Lord God will grant repentance, regret for sins and love for the Almighty.
Apostolic Fast - Petrov Fast
(According to the calendar in 2016 it falls on June 27 - July 11)
This post does not have a specific date on the calendar. The apostolic fast is dedicated to the memory of the apostles Peter and Paul. Its beginning depends on the day of Easter and the Holy Trinity, which falls on the current calendar year. Lent begins exactly seven days after the feast of Trinity, which is also called Pentecost, because it is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. The week before Lent is called All Saints' Week.
The duration of the Apostolic Fast can be from 8 days to 6 weeks (depending on the day of Easter celebration). The Apostolic Fast ends on July 12, the day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This is where the post got its name. It is also called the Fast of the Holy Apostles or the Fast of Peter.
The apostolic fast is not very strict. On Wednesday and Friday, dry eating is allowed, on Monday the consumption of hot food without oil is allowed, on Tuesday and Thursday mushrooms, vegetable foods with vegetable oil and a little wine are allowed, and on Saturday and Sunday fish is also allowed.
Fish is still allowed on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, if these days fall on a holiday with great praise. It is permissible to eat fish on Wednesday and Friday only when these days fall on a vigil holiday or a temple festival.
Dormition post
(in 2016 falls on August 14 - August 27)
The Dormition Fast begins exactly one month after the end of the Apostolic Fast on August 14 and lasts 2 weeks, until August 27. This post prepares for the Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated according to the Orthodox calendar on August 28. Through the Dormition Fast we follow the example of the Mother of God, who was constantly in fasting and prayer.
According to the severity, the Assumption Fast is close to Great Lent. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday there is dry food, Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, on Saturday and Sunday vegetable food with vegetable oil is allowed. On the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), it is allowed to consume fish, as well as oil and wine.
On the day of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28), if the devil falls on Wednesday or Friday, only fish is allowed. Meat, milk and eggs are prohibited. On other days, fasting is canceled.
There is also a rule not to eat fruit until August 19th. As a result, the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord is also called the Apple Savior, because at this time garden fruits (in particular, apples) are brought to the church, blessed and given away.
Christmas post
(from November 28 to January 6)
The Advent calendar lasts every year from November 28 to January 6. If the first day of fasting falls on Sunday, the fast is softened, but not canceled. The Nativity Fast precedes the Nativity of Christ, January 7 (December 25, old style calendar), on which the birth of the Savior is celebrated. Fasting begins 40 days before the celebration and is therefore also called Lent. People call the Nativity Fast Filippov, because it begins immediately after the day of remembrance of the Apostle Philip - November 27. Conventionally, the Nativity Fast shows the state of the world before the coming of the Savior. By abstinence in food, Christians express respect for the holiday of the Birth of Christ. In accordance with the rules of abstinence, the Nativity Fast is similar to the Apostolic Fast until the day of St. Nicholas - December 19. From December 20 until Christmas, fasting is observed with particular strictness.
According to the charter, it is allowed to eat fish on the feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the week before December 20.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of the Nativity Fast, dry eating is accepted.
If there is a temple holiday or vigil on these days, it is allowed to eat fish; If the day of a great saint falls, the consumption of wine and vegetable oil is allowed.
After St. Nicholas Memorial Day and before Christmas, fish is allowed on Saturday and Sunday. You cannot eat fish on the eve of the holiday. If these days fall on Saturday or Sunday, meals with butter are allowed.
On Christmas Eve, January 6, on the eve of Christmas, food is not allowed until the appearance of the first star. This rule was adopted in memory of the star that shone at the moment of the birth of the Rescuer. After the appearance of the first star (it is customary to eat sochivo - wheat seeds boiled in honey or dried fruits softened in water, and kutya - boiled cereal with raisins. The Christmas period lasts from January 7 to January 13. From the morning of January 7, all food restrictions are lifted. Fasting is canceled for 11 days.
One-day posts
There are many one-day posts. According to the strictness of observance, they vary and are in no way associated with a specific date. The most common of them are posts on Wednesdays and Fridays of any week. Also, the most famous one-day fasts are on the day of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, on the day before the Baptism of the Lord, on the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist.
There are also one-day fasts associated with the dates of commemoration of famous saints.
These fasts are not considered strict if they do not fall on Wednesday and Friday. During these one-day fasts, it is prohibited to eat fish, but food with vegetable oil is acceptable.
Individual fasts can be taken in the event of some kind of misfortune or social misfortune - an epidemic, war, terrorist attack, etc. One-day fasts precede the sacrament of communion.
Posts on Wednesday and Friday
On Wednesday, according to the Gospel, Judas betrayed Jesus Christ, and on Friday Jesus suffered on the cross and died. In memory of these events, Orthodoxy has adopted fasts on Wednesday and Friday of each week. Exceptions occur only in continuous weeks or weeks, during which there are no existing restrictions for these days. Such weeks are considered to be Christmastide (January 7–18), Publican and Pharisee, Cheese, Easter and Trinity (the first week after Trinity).
On Wednesday and Friday it is forbidden to eat meat, dairy foods, and eggs. Some of the most pious Christians do not allow themselves to consume, including fish and vegetable oil, that is, they observe dry eating.
Relaxation of fasting on Wednesday and Friday is possible only if this day coincides with the feast of a particularly revered saint, to whose memory a special church service is dedicated.
In the period between All Saints' Week and before the Nativity of Christ, it is necessary to give up fish and vegetable oil. If Wednesday or Friday coincides with the feast of the saints, then it is allowed to use vegetable oil.
On major holidays, such as Intercession, it is allowed to eat fish.
On the eve of the feast of the Epiphany
According to the calendar, Epiphany falls on January 18th. According to the Gospel, Christ was baptized in the Jordan River, at that moment the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. John was a witness that Christ is the Savior, that is, Jesus is the Messiah of the Lord. During baptism, he heard the voice of the Most High, proclaiming: “This is My beloved Son, with Him I am well pleased.”
Before the Epiphany of the Lord, a vigil is celebrated in churches, at which point the ceremony of consecrating holy water takes place. In connection with this holiday, fasting has been adopted. At the time of this abstinence, food intake is allowed once a day and only juice and kutya with honey. Therefore, among Orthodox believers, the eve of Epiphany is usually called Christmas Eve. If the evening meal falls on Saturday or Sunday, the fast on that day is not canceled, but is relaxed. In this case, you can eat food twice a day - after the liturgy and after the rite of blessing of water.
Fasting on the Day of the Beheading of John the Baptist
The day of the Beheading of John the Baptist is commemorated on September 11. It was introduced in memory of the death of the prophet - John the Baptist, who was the Forerunner of the Messiah. According to the Gospel, John was thrown into prison by Herod Antipas because of his exposure in connection with Herodias, the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother.
During the celebration of his birthday, the King organized a holiday, the daughter of Herodias, Salome, presented a skillful dance to Herod. He was delighted with the beauty of the dance, and promised the girl everything she wanted for it. Herodias persuaded her daughter to beg for the head of John the Baptist. Herod fulfilled the girl’s wish by sending a warrior to the prisoner to bring him John’s head.
In memory of John the Baptist and his pious life, during which he continuously fasted, fasting was defined in the Orthodox calendar. On this day it is forbidden to consume meat, dairy, eggs and fish. Vegetable foods and vegetable oil are acceptable.
Fasting on the Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This holiday falls on September 27th. This day was established in memory of the discovery of the Lord's Cross. This happened in the 4th century. According to legend, the emperor of the Byzantine Empire, Constantine the Great, won many victories thanks to the Cross of the Lord and therefore revered this symbol. Showing gratitude to the Almighty for the consent of the church at the First Ecumenical Council, he decided to erect a temple on Calvary. Helen, the emperor's mother, went to Jerusalem in 326 to find the Cross of the Lord.
According to the then custom, crosses, as instruments of execution, were buried next to the place of execution. Three crosses were found on Calvary. It was impossible to understand which one was Christ, since the bar with the inscription “Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews” was discovered separately from all the crosses. Subsequently, the Cross of the Lord was installed according to its power, which was expressed in the healing of the sick and the resurrection of a person through touching this cross. The glory of the amazing miracles of the Cross of the Lord attracted a lot of people, and because of the crowds, many did not have the opportunity to see and bow to it. Then Patriarch Macarius raised the cross, showing it to everyone around him in the distance. Thus, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross appeared on the calendar.
The holiday was adopted on the day of the consecration of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, September 26, 335, and began to be celebrated the next day, September 27. In 614, the Persian king Khozroes took possession of Jerusalem and took out the Cross. In 328, Chozroes' heir, Syroes, returned the stolen Cross of the Lord to Jerusalem. This happened on September 27, so this day is considered a double holiday - the Exaltation and the Finding of the Cross of the Lord. On this day it is forbidden to eat cheese, eggs and fish. In this way, Christian believers express their reverence for the Cross.
Holy Resurrection of Christ - Easter
(in 2016 falls on May 1)
The most key Christian holiday in the Orthodox calendar is Easter - the Holy Resurrection of Christ from the dead. Easter is considered the main one between the transitory twelve holidays, since the Easter story contains everything on which Christian knowledge is based. For all Christians, the Resurrection of Christ means salvation and trampling on death.
The suffering of Christ, torture on the cross and death, washed away original sin, and therefore gave salvation to humanity. That is why Christians call Easter the Solemnity of Solemnities and the Feast of Feasts.
The Christian holiday is based on the following story. On the first day of the week, the myrrh-bearing women came to the tomb of Christ to anoint the body with incense. However, the large block that blocked the entrance to the tomb was moved, and an angel sat on the stone, who told the women that the Savior had risen. Some time later, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and sent her to the apostles to inform them that the prophecy had come true.
She ran to the apostles and told them the good news and told them the message of Christ that they would meet in Galilee. Before His death, Jesus told the disciples about future events, but Mary's news plunged them into confusion. Faith in the Kingdom of Heaven, promised by Jesus, came to life again in their hearts. However, not everyone was happy about the Resurrection of Jesus: the high priests and Pharisees started rumors about the disappearance of the body.
However, despite the lies and painful trials that fell on the first Christians, the New Testament Easter became the foundation of the Christian faith. The blood of Christ atoned for the sins of people and opened the way to salvation for them. From the first days of Christianity, the apostles established the celebration of Easter, which was preceded by Holy Week in memory of the suffering of the Savior. Today they are preceded by Lent, which lasts forty days.
For a long time, discussions continued about the true date of the celebration of the memory of the events described, until at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (325) they agreed to celebrate Easter on the 1st Sunday following the first spring full moon and the vernal equinox. In various years, Easter can be celebrated from March 21 to April 24 (old style).
On the eve of Easter, the service begins at eleven o'clock in the evening. First, the Midnight Office of Holy Saturday is served, then the bell sounds and a procession of the cross takes place, which is led by clergy; believers leave the church with lighted candles, and the bell is replaced by the festive ringing of bells. When the procession returns to the closed doors of the church, which symbolize the tomb of Christ, the ringing is interrupted. The holiday prayer sounds and the church door opens. At this time, the priest exclaims: “Christ is Risen!”, and the believers together answer: “Truly He is Risen!” This is how Easter Matins begins.
At the time of the Easter liturgy, the Gospel of John is read as usual. At the end of the Easter liturgy, artos - large prosphora similar to Easter cakes - are blessed. During Easter week, the artos is located close to the royal doors. After the liturgy, on the following Saturday, a special rite of breaking the artos is served, and pieces of it are distributed to the believers.
At the end of the Easter liturgy, the fast ends and the Orthodox can treat themselves to a piece of blessed Easter cake or Easter cake, a colored egg, a meat pie, etc. In the first week of Easter (Bright Week) it is supposed to give food to the hungry and help the needy. Christians go to visit their relatives and exchange exclamations: “Christ is risen!” - “Truly he is risen!” On Easter, people are supposed to give colored eggs. This tradition was adopted in memory of the visit of Mary Magdalene to the Emperor of Rome Tiberius. According to legend, Mary was the first to tell Tiberius the news of the Resurrection of the Savior and brought him an egg as a gift - as a symbol of life. But Tiberius did not believe the news of the Resurrection and said that he would believe it if the egg he brought turned red. And at that moment the egg turned red. In memory of what happened, believers began to paint eggs, which became a symbol of Easter.
Palm Sunday. Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.
(in 2016 falls on April 24)
The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, or simply Palm Sunday, is one of the most key twelve holidays celebrated by the Orthodox. The first mentions of this holiday are found in manuscripts of the 3rd century. This event is of great importance for Christians, since the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, whose authorities were hostile to Him, means that Christ voluntarily accepted the suffering of the cross. The entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is described by all four evangelists, which also testifies to the significance of this day.
The date of Palm Sunday depends on the date of Easter: The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated a week before Easter. In order to confirm the people in the belief that Jesus Christ is the Messiah predicted by the prophets, a week before the Resurrection, the Savior and the apostles went to the city. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus sent John and Peter to a village, indicating the place where they would find the colt. The apostles brought a colt to the Teacher, on which He sat and went to Jerusalem.
At the entrance to the city, some people laid out their own clothes, the rest accompanied Him with cut palm branches, and greeted the Savior with the words: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” because they believed that Jesus was the Messiah and King of the people of Israel.
When Jesus entered the Jerusalem temple, he drove out the merchants with the words: “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). People listened with admiration to the teachings of Christ. The sick began to come to Him, He healed them, and at that moment the children sang His praises. Then Christ left the temple and went with his disciples to Bethany.
In ancient times, it was customary to greet winners with fronds, or palm branches; this is where another name for the holiday came from: Vaiya Week. In Russia, where palm trees do not grow, the holiday received its third name - Palm Sunday - in honor of the only plant that blooms during this harsh time. Palm Sunday ends Lent and begins Holy Week.
As for the festive table, Palm Sunday allows fish and vegetable dishes with vegetable oil. And the day before, on Lazarus Saturday, after Vespers, you can taste a little fish caviar.
Ascension of the Lord
(in 2016 falls on June 9)
The Ascension of the Lord is celebrated according to the calendar on the fortieth day after Easter. Traditionally, this holiday falls on Thursday of the sixth week of Easter. The events associated with the Ascension signify the end of the Savior’s earthly sojourn and the beginning of His life in the bosom of the Church. After the Resurrection, the Teacher came to his disciples for forty days, teaching them the true faith and the way of salvation. The Savior instructed the apostles what to do after His Ascension.
Then Christ promised the disciples to release the Holy Spirit on them, which they should wait for in Jerusalem. Christ said: “And I will send the promise of My Father upon you; But you remain in the city of Jerusalem until you are endowed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Then, together with the apostles, they went outside the city, where He blessed the disciples and began to ascend into heaven. The apostles bowed to Him and returned to Jerusalem.
As for fasting, on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord it is allowed to eat any food, both fasting and fasting.
Trinity Day - Pentecost
(in 2016 falls on June 19)
On the Day of the Holy Trinity, we commemorate the story that tells about the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Christ. The Holy Spirit appeared to the Apostles of the Savior in the form of tongues of flame on the day of Pentecost, that is, on the fiftieth day after Easter, hence the name of this holiday. The second, most famous name of the day is dedicated to the discovery by the apostles of the third hypostasis of the Holy Trinity - the Holy Spirit, after which the Christian concept of the Triune Godhead received a perfect interpretation.
On the day of the Holy Trinity, the apostles intended to meet in their home in order to pray together. Suddenly they heard a roar, and then tongues of fire began to appear in the air, which, dividing, descended on Christ’s disciples.
After the flame descended on the apostles, the prophecy “...were filled... with the Holy Spirit...” (Acts 2:4) came true and they offered a prayer. With the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples of Christ acquired the gift of speaking in different languages in order to carry the Word of the Lord throughout the world.
The noise coming from the house attracted a large crowd of curious people. The assembled people were amazed that the apostles could speak different languages. Among the people there were people from other nations; they heard the apostles offering prayers in their native language. Most people were surprised and filled with awe, at the same time, among those gathered there were also people who were skeptical about what had happened, “they got drunk on sweet wine” (Acts 2:13).
On this day, the Apostle Peter preached his first sermon, which said that the event that happened on this day was predicted by the prophets and marks the last mission of the Savior in the earthly world. The Apostle Peter's sermon was short and simple, but the Holy Spirit spoke through him, and his speech reached the souls of many people. At the end of Peter's speech, many accepted the faith and were baptized. “So those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added” (Acts 2:41). Since ancient times, Trinity Day has been revered as the birthday of the Christian Church, created by Holy grace.
On Trinity Day, it is customary to decorate houses and churches with flowers and grass. Regarding the festive table, on this day it is allowed to eat any food. There is no fasting on this day.
Twelfth Enduring Holidays
(have a constant date in the Orthodox calendar)
Christmas (January 7)
According to legend, the Lord God promised sinner Adam the coming of the Savior back in paradise. Many prophets foreshadowed the coming of the Savior - Christ, in particular the prophet Isaiah, prophesied about the birth of the Messiah to the Jews who had forgotten the Lord and worshiped pagan idols. Shortly before the birth of Jesus, the ruler Herod proclaimed a decree on a population census, for this the Jews had to appear in the cities in which they were born. Joseph and the Virgin Mary also went to the cities where they were born.
They did not get to Bethlehem quickly: the Virgin Mary was pregnant, and when they arrived in the city, it was time to give birth. But in Bethlehem, due to the crowd of people, all the places were occupied, and Joseph and Mary had to stay in a stable. At night, Mary gave birth to a boy, named Him Jesus, swaddled him and put him in a manger - a feeding trough for livestock. Not far from their overnight stay, there were shepherds grazing cattle, an angel appeared to them, who told them: ... I bring you great joy that will be to all people: for today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord; and here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12). When the angel disappeared, the shepherds went to Bethlehem, where they found the Holy Family, worshiped Jesus, and told about the appearance of the angel and his sign, after which they went back to their flocks.
In these same days, wise men came to Jerusalem and asked people about the born king of the Jews, since a new bright star was shining in the heavens. Having learned about the Magi, King Herod called them to him in order to find out the place where the Messiah was born. He ordered the wise men to find out the place where the new king of the Jews was born.
The Magi followed the star, which led them to the stable where the Savior was born. Entering the stable, the wise men bowed to Jesus and presented him with gifts: incense, gold and myrrh. “And having received a revelation in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another route” (Matthew 2:12). That same night, Joseph received a sign: an angel appeared in his dream and said: “Get up, take the Child and His Mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod wants to look for the Child in order to destroy Him” (Matt. 2, 13). Joseph, Mary and Jesus went to Egypt, where they stayed until the death of Herod.
For the first time, the holiday of the Nativity of Christ began to be celebrated in the 4th century in Constantinople. The holiday is preceded by a forty-day fast and Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, it is customary to drink only water, and when the first star appears in the sky, they break their fast with sochi - boiled wheat or rice with honey and dried fruits. After Christmas and before Epiphany, Christmastide is celebrated, during which all fasts are canceled.
Epiphany - Epiphany (January 19)
Christ began serving people at the age of thirty. John the Baptist was supposed to anticipate the coming of the Messiah, who prophesied the coming of the Messiah and baptized people in the Jordan for the cleansing of sins. When the Savior appeared to John for baptism, John recognized the Messiah in Him and told Him that he himself must be baptized by the Savior. But Christ answered: “...leave it now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15), that is, to fulfill what the prophets said.
Christians call the feast of the Baptism of the Lord the Epiphany; at the baptism of Christ, three hypostases of the Trinity appeared to people for the first time: the Lord Son, Jesus himself, the Holy Spirit, who descended in the form of a dove on Christ, and the Lord Father, who said: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” "(Matthew 3:17).
The first to celebrate the feast of Epiphany were the disciples of Christ, as evidenced by the set of apostolic rules. The day before the feast day of Epiphany, Christmas Eve begins. On this day, as on Christmas Eve, Orthodox Christians eat juices, and only after the blessing of water. Epiphany water is considered healing, it is sprinkled at home, and it is drunk on an empty stomach for various diseases.
On the feast of Epiphany itself, the rite of the great hagiasma is also served. On this day, the tradition of making a religious procession to reservoirs with the Gospel, banners and lamps has been preserved. The religious procession is accompanied by the ringing of bells and the singing of the troparion of the holiday.
Presentation of the Lord (February 15)
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord describes the events that happened in the Jerusalem Temple during the meeting of the Infant Jesus with the elder Simeon. According to the law, on the fortieth day after her birth, the Virgin Mary brought Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem. According to legend, Elder Simeon lived at the temple where he translated the Holy Scriptures into Greek. In one of the prophecies of Isaiah, which describes the coming of the Savior, in the place where His birth is described, it is said that the Messiah will be born not from a woman, but from a Virgin. The elder suggested that there was an error in the original text, at that same moment an angel appeared to him and said that Simeon would not die until he saw the Blessed Virgin and Her Son with his own eyes.
When the Virgin Mary entered the temple with Jesus in her arms, Simeon immediately saw Them and recognized the Messiah in the Baby. He took Him in his arms and uttered the following words: “Now You are releasing Your servant, O Master, according to Your word in peace, because My eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light for the revelation of tongues and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2, 29). From now on, the old man could die peacefully, because he had just seen with his own eyes both the Virgin Mother and Her Son-Savior.
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (April 7)
Since ancient times, the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary has been called both the Beginning of Redemption and the Conception of Christ. This lasted for the 7th century until it acquired the name it currently has. In terms of its significance for Christians, the Feast of the Annunciation is comparable only to the Nativity of Christ. That is why there is a proverb among people to this day that on a given day “the bird does not build a nest, the maiden does not braid her hair.”
The history of the holiday is as follows. When the Virgin Mary reached the age of fifteen, She had to leave the walls of the Jerusalem Temple: in accordance with the laws that existed in those times, only men had the opportunity to serve the Almighty throughout their lives. However, by this time Mary's parents had already died, and the priests decided to betroth Mary to Joseph of Nazareth.
One day an angel appeared to the Virgin Mary, who was the Archangel Gabriel. He greeted Her with the following words: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” Mary was confused because she did not know what the angel's words meant. The Archangel explained to Mary that She was the chosen one of the Lord for the birth of the Savior, about whom the prophets spoke: “... and you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you will call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:31-33).
Having heard the revelation of the Archangel Gavria, the Virgin Mary asked: “... how will this happen if I don’t know my husband?” (Luke 1:34), to which the archangel replied that the Holy Spirit would descend on the Virgin, therefore the Child born from her would be holy. And Mary humbly answered: “...behold the handmaid of the Lord; Let it be done to me according to Your word” (Luke 1:37).
Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19)
The Savior often told the apostles that in order to save people, He would have to endure suffering and death. And in order to strengthen the faith of the disciples, he showed them His Divine glory, which awaits Him and the other righteous of Christ at the end of their earthly existence.
One day Christ took three disciples - Peter, James and John - to Mount Tabor to pray to the Almighty. But the apostles, tired during the day, fell asleep, and when they woke up, they saw how the Savior had been transformed: His clothes were snow-white, and His face shone like the sun.
Next to the Teacher were the prophets Moses and Elijah, with whom Christ spoke about his own sufferings that He would have to endure. At that same moment, the apostles were overwhelmed by such grace that Peter randomly suggested: “Mentor! It's good for us to be here; We will make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said” (Luke 9:33).
At that moment, everyone was enveloped in a cloud, from which the voice of God was heard: “This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him” (Luke 9:35). As soon as the words of the Most High were heard, the disciples again saw Christ alone in His ordinary appearance.
When Christ and the apostles were returning from Mount Tabor, He ordered them not to testify before the time of what they had seen.
In Rus', the Transfiguration of the Lord was popularly called the “Apple Savior”, since on this day honey and apples are blessed in churches.
Dormition of the Mother of God (August 28)
The Gospel of John says that before his death, Christ commanded the Apostle John to take care of his Mother (John 19:26–27). From that time on, the Virgin Mary lived with John in Jerusalem. Here the apostles recorded the stories of the Mother of God about the earthly existence of Jesus Christ. The Mother of God often went to Golgotha to venerate and pray, and on one of these visits, the Archangel Gabriel informed Her of Her imminent dormition.
By this time, the apostles of Christ began to come to the city for the last earthly service of the Virgin Mary. Before the death of the Mother of God, Christ and the angels appeared at Her bedside, causing those present to be gripped by fear. The Mother of God gave glory to God and, as if falling asleep, accepted a peaceful death.
The apostles took the bed on which the Mother of God was and carried it to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Jewish priests, who hated Christ and did not believe in His resurrection, learned about the death of the Mother of God. The high priest Athos overtook the funeral procession and grabbed the bed, trying to turn it over in order to desecrate the body. However, the moment he touched the stock, his hands were cut off by an invisible force. Only after this did Afonia repent and believe, and immediately found healing. The body of the Mother of God was placed in a coffin and covered with a large stone.
However, among those present in the procession was not one of Christ’s disciples, the Apostle Thomas. He arrived in Jerusalem only three days after the funeral and cried for a long time at the tomb of the Virgin Mary. Then the apostles decided to open the Tomb so that Thomas could venerate the body of the deceased.
When they rolled away the stone, they found only the funeral shrouds of the Mother of God inside; the body itself was not inside the tomb: Christ took the Mother of God to heaven in Her earthly nature.
A temple was subsequently built on that spot, where the funeral shrouds of the Mother of God were preserved until the 4th century. After this, the shrine was transported to Byzantium, to the Blachernae Church, and in 582, Emperor Mauritius issued a decree on the general celebration of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
This holiday among the Orthodox is considered one of the most revered, like other holidays dedicated to the memory of the Virgin Mary.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 21)
The righteous parents of the Virgin Mary, Joachim and Anna, could not have children for a long time, and were very sad about their own childlessness, since among the Jews the absence of children was considered as God's punishment for secret sins. But Joachim and Anna did not lose faith in their child and prayed to God to send them a child. So they made an oath: if they have a child, they will give him to the service of the Almighty.
And God heard their requests, but before that, he subjected them to a test: when Joachim came to the temple to make a sacrifice, the priest did not take it, reproaching the old man for being childless. After this incident, Joachim went into the desert, where he fasted and begged for forgiveness from the Lord.
At this time, Anna also underwent a test: her maid reproached her for childlessness. After that, Anna went into the garden and, noticing a bird’s nest with chicks on a tree, began to think about the fact that even birds have children, and burst into tears. In the garden, an angel appeared before Anna and began to calm her down, promising that they would soon have a child. An angel also appeared before Joachim and said that the Lord had heard him.
After this, Joachim and Anna met and told each other about the good news that the angels told them, and a year later they had a girl, whom they named Mary.
Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (September 27)
In 325, the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Great, Queen Lena, went to Jerusalem to visit holy places. She visited Golgotha and the burial place of Christ, but most of all she wanted to find the Cross on which the Messiah was crucified. The search yielded results: three crosses were found on Calvary, and in order to find the one on which Christ suffered, they decided to conduct tests. Each of them was applied to the deceased, and one of the crosses resurrected the deceased. This was the same Cross of the Lord.
When the people learned that they had found the Cross on which Christ was crucified, a very large crowd gathered at Golgotha. There were so many Christians gathered that most of them could not approach the Cross to bow to the shrine. Patriarch Macarius proposed erecting the Cross so that everyone could see it. So, in honor of these events, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross was founded.
Among Christians, the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord is considered the only holiday that is celebrated from the first day of its existence, that is, the day when the Cross was found.
The Exaltation received general Christian significance after the war between Persia and Byzantium. In 614, Jerusalem was sacked by the Persians. Moreover, among the shrines they took away was the Cross of the Lord. And only in 628 the shrine was returned to the Church of the Resurrection, built on Calvary by Constantine the Great. Since then, the Feast of the Exaltation has been celebrated by all Christians in the world.
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple (December 4)
Christians celebrate the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the temple in memory of the dedication of the Virgin Mary to God. When Mary was three years old, Joachim and Anna fulfilled their vow: they brought their daughter to the Jerusalem Temple and placed her on the stairs. To the amazement of her parents and other people, little Mary walked up the stairs herself to meet the high priest, after which he led Her into the altar. From that time on, the Blessed Virgin Mary lived at the temple until the time came for her betrothal to righteous Joseph.
Great Holidays
Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord (January 14)
Circumcision of the Lord as a holiday was established in the 4th century. On this day, they commemorate an event associated with the Covenant made with God on Mount Zion by the prophet Moses: according to which all boys on the eighth day after birth were to accept circumcision as a symbol of unity with the Jewish patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
After completing this ritual, the Savior was named Jesus, as Archangel Gabriel commanded when he brought the good news to the Virgin Mary. According to the interpretation, the Lord accepted circumcision as a strict fulfillment of the laws of God. But in the Christian Church there is no ritual of circumcision, since according to the New Testament it gave way to the sacrament of baptism.
Nativity of John the Baptist, Forerunner of the Lord (July 7)
The celebration of the Nativity of John the Baptist, the prophet of the Lord, was established by the Church in the 4th century. Among all the most revered saints, John the Baptist occupies a special place, since he was supposed to prepare the Jewish people to accept the preaching of the Messiah.
During the reign of Herod, the priest Zechariah lived in Jerusalem with his wife Elizabeth. They did everything with zeal, as indicated by the Law of Moses, but God still did not give them a child. But one day, when Zechariah entered the altar for incense, he saw an angel who told the priest the good news that very soon his wife would give birth to a long-awaited child, who should be named John: “...and you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord; He will not drink wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb...” (Luke 1:14-15).
However, in response to this revelation, Zechariah smiled mournfully: both he himself and his wife Elizabeth were advanced in years. When he told the angel about his own doubts, he introduced himself as the Archangel Gabriel and, as punishment for disbelief, imposed a ban: because Zechariah did not believe the good news, he would not be able to talk until Elizabeth gave birth to a child.
Soon Elizabeth was pregnant, but she could not believe her own happiness, so she hid her situation for up to five months. In the end, she had a son, and when the baby was brought to the temple on the eighth day, the priest was greatly surprised to learn that he was named John: neither in the family of Zechariah nor in the family of Elizabeth was there anyone with that name. But Zacharias nodded his head and confirmed his wife’s wishes, after which he was able to talk again. And the first words that left his lips were the words of a heartfelt prayer of gratitude.
Day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (July 12)
On this day, the Orthodox Church commemorates the apostles Peter and Paul, who suffered martyrdom in the year 67 for preaching the Gospel. This holiday precedes the multi-day apostolic (Petrov) fast.
In ancient times, church rules were adopted by the Council of the Apostles, and Peter and Paul occupied the highest places in it. In other words, the lives of these apostles were of great importance for the development of the Christian Church.
However, the first apostles followed slightly different paths to faith, which, realizing them, one can involuntarily think about the inscrutability of the Lord’s ways.
Apostle Peter
Before Peter began his apostolic ministry, he bore a different name - Simon, which he received at birth. Simon lived as a fisherman on Lake Gennesaret until his brother Andrew led the young man to Christ. The radical and strong Simon was immediately able to occupy a special place among the disciples of Jesus. For example, he was the first to recognize the Savior in Jesus and for this acquired a new name from Christ - Cephas (Hebrew stone). In Greek, this name sounds like Peter, and it was on this “flint” that Jesus was going to erect the building of his own Church, which “the gates of hell will not prevail.” However, weaknesses are inherent in man, and Peter’s weakness was his threefold denial of Christ. Nevertheless, Peter repented and was forgiven by Jesus, who confirmed his destiny three times over.
After the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, Peter was the first to preach a sermon in the history of the Christian Church. After this sermon, more than three thousand Jews joined the true faith. In the Acts of the Apostles, in almost every chapter there is evidence of Peter’s active work: he preached the Gospel in various towns and states located on the shores of the Mediterranean. And it is believed that the Apostle Mark, who accompanied Peter, wrote the Gospel, taking the sermons of Cephas as a basis. Apart from this, in the New Testament there is a book written personally by the apostle.
In 67, the apostle went to Rome, but was caught by the authorities and suffered on the cross, like Christ. But Peter considered that he was unworthy of exactly the same execution as the Teacher, so he asked the executioners to crucify him upside down on the cross.
Apostle Paul
Apostle Paul was born in the city of Tarsus (Asia Minor). Like Peter, he had a different name from birth - Saul. He was a gifted young man and acquired a good education, but he grew up and was brought up in pagan customs. In addition, Saul was a noble Roman citizen, and his position allowed the future apostle to openly admire the pagan Hellenistic culture.
With all this, Paul was a persecutor of Christianity both in Palestine and beyond its borders. These opportunities were gifted to him by the Pharisees, who hated Christian teaching and waged a fierce struggle against it.
One day, when Saul was traveling to Damascus with permission for the local synagogues to arrest Christians, he was struck by a bright light. The future apostle fell to the ground and heard a voice saying: “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting Me? He said: Who are you, Lord? The Lord said: I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is difficult for you to go against the pricks” (Acts 9:4-5). After this, Christ ordered Saul to go to Damascus and rely on providence.
When the blind Saul arrived in the city, where he found Ananias the priest. After a conversation with a Christian pastor, he believed in Christ and was baptized. During the baptismal ceremony, his sight returned again. From this day Paul's activity as an apostle began. Like the Apostle Peter, Paul traveled widely: he visited Arabia, Antioch, Cyprus, Asia Minor and Macedonia. In the places where Paul visited, Christian communities seemed to form on their own, and the supreme apostle himself became famous for his messages to the heads of the churches founded with his help: among the New Testament books there are 14 letters of Paul. Thanks to these messages, Christian dogmas acquired a coherent system and became understandable to every believer.
At the end of 66, the Apostle Paul arrived in Rome, where a year later, as a citizen of the Roman Empire, he was executed by the sword.
Beheading of John the Baptist (September 11)
In the 32nd year from the birth of Jesus, King Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, imprisoned John the Baptist for talking about his close relationship with Herodias, his brother’s wife.
At the same time, the king was afraid to execute John, since this could cause the anger of his people, who loved and revered John.
One day, during the celebration of Herod's birthday, a feast was held. The daughter of Herodias, Salome, gave the king an exquisite tanya. For this, Herod promised in front of everyone that he would fulfill any desire of the girl. Herodias persuaded her daughter to ask the king for the head of John the Baptist.
The girl’s request embarrassed the king, as he was afraid of John’s death, but at the same time he could not refuse the request, since he was afraid of the ridicule of the guests because of the unfulfilled promise.
The king sent a warrior to prison, who beheaded John and brought his head to Salome on a platter. The girl accepted the terrible gift and gave it to her own mother. The apostles, having learned about the execution of John the Baptist, buried his headless body.
Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (October 14)
The holiday was based on a story that happened in 910 in Constantinople. The city was besieged by a countless army of Saracens, and the townspeople hid in the Blachernae Temple - in the place where the omophorion of the Virgin Mary was kept. Frightened residents fervently prayed to the Mother of God for protection. And then one day during prayer, the holy fool Andrei noticed the Mother of God above those praying.
The Mother of God walked accompanied by an army of angels, with John the Theologian and John the Baptist. She reverently extended her hands to the Son, while her omophorion covered the praying inhabitants of the city, as if protecting people from future disasters. In addition to the holy fool Andrei, his disciple Epiphanius saw the amazing procession. The miraculous vision soon disappeared, but Her grace remained in the temple, and soon the Saracen army left Constantinople.
The Feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary came to Rus' under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1164. And a little later, in 1165, on the Nerl River, the first temple was consecrated in honor of this holiday.
1st week - from March 13 to March 19, 2016
2nd week - from March 20 to March 26, 2016
3rd week - from March 27 to April 2, 2016
4th week - from April 3 to April 9, 2016
5th week - from April 10 to April 16, 2016
6th week - from April 17 to April 23, 2016
Holy Week - from April 24 to April 30, 2016
The first week is called “Fedor week”. At this time, it is customary to remember all the defenders of the Orthodox faith. In the second week, the memory of St. Gregory Palamas is venerated. The third week is the Worship of the Cross, and during the fourth week the theologian John Climacus is remembered. In the fifth week, the memory of the Venerable Mary of Egypt, patroness of repentant women, is venerated. The sixth week is marked by Palm Sunday - the day of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem. Next begins Holy Week. These days you need to strictly adhere to fasting, take communion and repent. And finally, on May 1, the Holy Resurrection of Christ is celebrated - Easter.
How to eat during Lent 2016: daily nutrition calendar
(please note that below are strict statutory norms, not every layman will be able to do them, the extent of easing of fasting is determined individually: consult with your confessor or doctor, perhaps you should not completely abstain from fasting foods, fasting is not only a restriction on food , read the articles and )
According to the Rules, the first and last weeks of Great Lent are the strictest regarding meals.
March 13- Sunday. Forgiveness Resurrection
A conspiracy is being made. This is the last time that fast food products (except meat and dairy) are allowed. There are two meals.
March 14th- Monday. The beginning of Great Lent. Clean Monday. They don't eat anything.
March 15th– Tuesday – they don’t eat anything.
For those who cannot withstand complete abstinence from food and drink during the first two days of Lent, as well as for older people, “bread and kvass” is allowed on Tuesday after Vespers.
March 16– Wednesday.
Once a day. Xerophagy
17 matra- Thursday - they don’t eat anything.
According to the Athos version, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday they eat once a day, around 15.00, 340 grams of bread, optionally with salt, and water.
18th of March- Friday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. No oil. Without pickles and fermentation, i.e. food prepared for future use. “We eat jam with plums without elea and armea.” Once a day, around 15.00.
March 19- Saturday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Boiled legumes, olives and black olives are recommended for the meal. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
March 20 – Sunday.
First week Great Lent (the first Sunday of fasting). Triumph of Orthodoxy
On the week of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the victory of Orthodoxy over the iconoclastic heresy is celebrated. Iconoclasts believed that the veneration of icons was idolatry. Thanks to the patronage of the emperors, the persecution of icons continued for almost a hundred years. Icon veneration was finally restored in the 9th century by Empress Theodora on the first Sunday of Great Lent, on which the Triumph of Orthodoxy has been celebrated ever since.
March 21 – Monday.
March 22 – Tuesday.
Memorial Day of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste.
The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste are Christian soldiers who accepted martyrdom for their faith in Christ in Sebaste (Little Armenia, modern Turkey) in 320 at Licinia.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) once a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
March 23 – Wednesday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
March 24 – Thursday.
March 25 – Friday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
March 26 – Saturday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200 g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
March 26 — Parental Ecumenical Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent
Third week - from March 27 to April 2, 2016
March 27- Sunday.
Second week of Lent (second Sunday of fasting). Memorial Day of St. Gregory Palamas.
St. Gregory Palamas lived in the 14th century. In accordance with the Orthodox faith, he taught that for the feat of fasting and prayer, the Lord illuminates believers with His gracious light, as the Lord shone on Tabor. For the reason that St. Gregory revealed the teaching about the power of fasting and prayer and it was established to commemorate him on the second Sunday of Great Lent.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
March 28- Monday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
March 29- Tuesday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. No oil. Once a day, around 15.00.
30th of March– Wednesday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
March 31- Thursday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. No oil. Once a day, around 15.00.
April 1- Friday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
April 2- Saturday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
On Saturday of the third week, during Matins, the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord is brought into the middle of the church for the worshipers to worship, therefore the third week and the next, fourth, week are called the Worship of the Cross.
April 2 - Parental Ecumenical Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent
The fourth week of Great Lent is called the Worship of the Cross, or the Middle of the Cross. From Sunday - the Week of the Worship of the Cross - until Friday of this week, the Life-Giving Cross is in the center of the temple, on the site of the icon of the holiday. He is worshiped “with fear and love” by believers. The Church glorifies the Holy Cross of Christ as a sign of the most powerful force that protects us and opens the path to salvation. On Friday of the week, at the end of the reading of the hours, the Cross is solemnly conveyed to the altar.
April 3- Sunday.
The third week of Lent (third Sunday day of fasting) is the Worship of the Cross.
On this day, they read traditions, consecrate prosphyra, do not work, visit churches to venerate the cross, reflect on the concept of “carrying one’s cross,” and fast (with the consumption of boiled oil and wine).
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
April, 4- Monday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
5th of April- Tuesday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. No oil. Once a day, around 15.00.
April 6– Wednesday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
On Wednesday of the Cross (at the end of Lent), the Charter of Holy Mount Athos allows two dishes with oil and wine.
April 7- Thursday.
Feast of the Annunciation
.
The name of the holiday - Annunciation - conveys the main meaning of the event associated with it: the announcement to the Virgin Mary of the good news about the conception and birth of the Divine Infant Christ.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine. Fish is allowed. Once a day, around 15.00.
April 8- Friday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
April 9- Saturday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
April 9 - Parental Ecumenical Saturday of the 4th week of Lent
April 10th- Sunday.
Fourth week of Lent (fourth Sunday of fasting). Memorial Day of the theologian John Climacus.
John Climacus was the abbot of the Sinai Monastery, he wrote the famous “Ladder of Virtues,” where he showed the steps of ascent to spiritual perfection. (“Ladder” from the Old Slavic “ladder”. Options - Paradise Ladder, Spiritual Tablets). The image of the “Ladder” is borrowed from the Bible, which describes the vision of Jacob’s Ladder, along which angels ascend (Gen. 28:12).
The calendar memory of John Climacus falls during Lent, it was moved to Sunday, and it was assigned to the 4th Sunday of Lent.
On the day of memory of John Climacus, ladders were baked
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
11 April- Monday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
12th of April- Tuesday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. No oil. Once a day, around 15.00.
April 13– Wednesday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
On Wednesday evening, a special service is performed in Orthodox churches - “Standing of Mary”. At this service, the only time a year the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is read in its entirety, which was read in parts from Monday to Thursday of the first week of Great Lent, and the canon of St. Mary of Egypt.
14th of April- Thursday. Standing Rev. Mary of Egypt.
On this day, according to ancient custom, the sequence of the Great Canon is sung. The Monk Andrew composed it at the same time that Saint Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, wrote down the life of Mary of Egypt. Father Andrei first brought the Great Canon and the word about the Venerable Mary to Constantinople when he was sent by Patriarch Theodore of Jerusalem to help at the Sixth Council.
On Standing Rev. Mary of Egypt - hot food that has undergone heat treatment, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (200g). Once a day, around 15.00. Some statutes only allow wine and no oil (oil).
April 15- Friday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
Before the Feast of the Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary, some statutes allow wine. The Charter of Holy Mount Athos allows two dishes with oil and wine. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
April 16- Saturday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
April 17- Sunday.
Fifth week of Lent (fifth Sunday of fasting). Memorial Day of Rev. Mary of Egypt
The Venerable Mary was born in Egypt in the middle of the 5th century. At the age of 12, she left her parents and went to Alexandria, where she spent 17 years living in sin. One day, Mary arrived in Jerusalem on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and tried to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, but some force held her back. Realizing her fall, she began to pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God, located in the vestibule of the temple. After this she was able to enter the temple. The next day, Mary crossed the Jordan and went into the desert, where she spent the rest of her life, 47 years, in fasting and repentance. The Church gives in the person of the Venerable Mary of Egypt an example of true repentance and shows in her an example of God's ineffable mercy towards repentant sinners. The calendar memory of Mary of Egypt falls during Lent, it was moved to Sunday, and it was assigned to the 5th Sunday of Lent.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
April 18th- Monday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
April 19- Tuesday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. No oil. Once a day, around 15.00.
20 April– Wednesday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
April 21- Thursday.
Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. No oil. Once a day, around 15.00.
April 22- Friday.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time). Once a day, around 15.00. Xerophagy
April 23- Saturday. Lazarev Saturday.
On this day, Christians remember the miracle of Christ’s resurrection of the righteous Lazarus (John 11:1-45), which was performed as evidence of the coming resurrection of all the dead. The celebration of Lazarus Saturday has been established since ancient times; it precedes the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
Fish caviar is allowed - up to 100 g. Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
April 24- Sunday. Sixth week of Lent (sixth Sunday of fasting).
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem Palm Sunday
. - (the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem on a donkey, when the people greeted him by throwing palm branches on the road - replaced by willow in Rus') - the last Sunday before Easter.
Fish allowed. Hot food that has been cooked, i.e. boiled, baked, etc. With vegetable oil and wine (one bowl 200g) twice a day. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
April 25 – Maundy Monday
On Maundy Monday, the Old Testament Patriarch Joseph, sold by his brothers to Egypt, is remembered as a prototype of the suffering Jesus Christ, as well as the Gospel story about Jesus’ curse of the barren fig tree, symbolizing a soul that does not bear spiritual fruit - true repentance, faith, prayer and good deeds. Matthew 21:18-22
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time).
To drink: dill (hot infusion or decoction of herbs or berries, fruits) with honey.
Xerophagy
April 26 — Maundy Tuesday
On Holy Tuesday we remember the sermon of Jesus Christ in the Jerusalem Temple. On this day He told the disciples about the second coming of Matthew 24, the parable of the ten virgins, the parable of the talents Matthew 25:1-30. The chief priests and elders tempted him with questions, wanted to arrest Him, but were afraid to do this openly because of the people, who revered Jesus as a prophet and listened to him attentively.
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time).
To drink: dill (hot infusion or decoction of herbs or berries, fruits) with honey.
Once a day, around 15.00.
“As in the 1st week of this holy Lent.”
Xerophagy
April 27 — Holy Wednesday
On Great Wednesday we remember the anointing of Jesus Christ with myrrh and the betrayal of Judas. Matthew 26.6-16
Dry eating: bread, water, greens, raw, dried or soaked vegetables and fruits (for example: raisins, olives, nuts, figs - one of these every time).
To drink: dill (hot infusion or decoction of herbs or berries, fruits) with honey.
Once a day, around 15.00.
“As in the 1st week of this holy Lent.”
Xerophagy
April 28 - Maundy (Clean) Thursday. Last Supper
During services on this day, one of the most important gospel events is remembered: the Last Supper, at which Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples, thereby showing an example of brotherly love and humility. According to the Gospel, at the Last Supper, Jesus Christ established the rite of the Eucharist - Holy Communion. Matthew 26:17-35, Mark 14:12-31, Luke 22:7-39, John 13-18
This rite is recognized by all Christians - Orthodox, Catholics, Lutherans - believers eat wine and bread, meaning by them the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. From Maundy Thursday until Sunday, in all Orthodox churches, church services are dedicated to memories of the earthly suffering of the Savior.
According to the usual (Palestinian) tradition, one dish is served, but eating boiled food with vegetable oil is allowed.
According to the Studio Charter, one boiled dish is supposed, but supplemented with sochivo (any porridge) and legumes; no oil.
According to the charter of Holy Mount Athos, there are two boiled dishes with oil and wine. Pure grape wine without alcohol and sugar, preferably diluted with hot water. At the same time, abstaining from wine is highly commendable.
April 29 – Great Friday. Good Friday. Crucifixion of Christ
On Good Friday, Orthodox Christians remember the arrest of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, the trial of the high priests, the trial of Pilate, the way of the cross of Jesus, the crucifixion, death and the signs accompanying it, the removal from the cross and burial.
They don't eat anything. For the elderly, bread and water are allowed after sunset.
April 30 – Holy Saturday. The Descent of Christ into Hell
Holy Saturday is dedicated to the remembrance of Jesus Christ's stay in the tomb and His descent into hell for the liberation of the souls of the dead.
On Holy Saturday, many believers also refuse food until Easter. For the rest - 200-250g of bread, 6 pieces of figs or dates and a cup of wine, or kvass, or honey drink. Or bread with vegetables. Once a day, around 19.00.
The merry revelry ends Maslenitsa, which is celebrated in 2016 from 7 to 13 March. March 13th is Forgiveness Sunday– the last day of Maslenitsa week and the last day before Great Lent. During the cheerful Maslenitsa week, mountains of pancakes were eaten, generously sprinkled with sour cream, butter, jam or seasoned with mushrooms, cabbage, fish, caviar and other delicacies, which were supposed to reconcile those who respect Orthodox customs with the lack of meat, which they had to say goodbye to a week earlier . And, let’s face it, we drank a lot during Maslenitsa, and not just sbitney, jelly and compotes. All these semi-permitted liberties were supposed to prepare everyone for whom religion is not an empty phrase for the rigors of Lent, designed to prepare a Christian in soul and body for the main Orthodox holiday - Easter, which in 2016 will be May 1.
When is Lent in 2016?
Lent in 2016 begins on Monday, March 14, and will last forty days, until April 30 inclusive. From March 14 to April 30 The strictest restrictions apply, primarily relating to spiritual cleansing, as well as nutrition.
What Orthodox holidays fall during Lent in 2016
In April there will be several important Orthodox holidays, one way or another connected with Easter. These days the severity of fasting is softened.
April 24 - Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, which is called Palm Sunday, this is the last Sunday before Easter;
What not to eat during Lent
According to Orthodox tradition, during all days of Lent, believers abstain from eating meat and dairy products, as well as eggs. Also, those who are fasting should not eat foods containing “forbidden” ingredients: mayonnaise, butter, baked goods and generally white bread, sweets and other confectionery products. Alcohol and fish are also prohibited, with the exception of three holidays, when some concessions are allowed: the Feast of the Annunciation, Palm Sunday and Palm (Lazarus) Saturday (on this day it is customary to eat fish caviar).
What can you eat during Lent?
Foods that can be consumed during fasting:
- legumes, seeds, nuts, dried fruits;
- pickles and fermentations, vegetables, juices, berries, jam (preferably not very sweet);
- frozen and fresh vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms;
- herbs and spices;
- products made from soy;
- cereals and savory bread.
However, it should be remembered that you should not overeat, even when it comes to permitted foods: intemperance in eating during Lent is not encouraged. In addition, it should be remembered that when using lean analogues of fasting products, for example, soy meat, soy sausage or soy dairy products, some substitution occurs, since fasting is not an end in itself. Abstinence and self-restraint should, first of all, help believers cleanse their minds and souls, learn to avoid anger, condemnation of others, and bad thoughts and actions.
“He who believes that fasting only means abstaining from food is mistaken. True fasting is removal from evil, curbing the tongue, putting aside anger, taming lusts, stopping slander, lies and perjury,” taught John Chrysostom.
Who can fast
Forty days of Lenten abstinence is within the capabilities of any healthy adult who feels ready to prepare for Easter in this way. However, when it comes to children, pregnant and lactating women, sick and elderly people, special caution and, of course, common sense are needed. Yes, children can easily do forty days without meat, sausages and sausages, but depriving them of dairy products is unreasonable and unhealthy (it is better for the child to consciously refuse, for example, sweets). The same applies to pregnant women (especially those with pregnancy pathologies) and nursing mothers - both need adequate nutrition.
Strict fasting can also be dangerous for patients, especially those who have low hemoglobin, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the hematopoietic organs, including cancer. It is advisable for such patients not to completely give up meat products. Also, relaxations of fasting are allowed for people doing hard physical work that requires a lot of energy, for traveling, in prison, etc. It is enough for them to limit themselves in the first and last weeks of fasting.
And, of course, for all those who fast, especially those who decide to do it for the first time, it makes sense to consult a doctor, get a blessing from a confessor, and also show responsibility and use common sense.
Great Lent 2016: nutrition calendar by day
We offer a version of the nutrition calendar for Lent according to the so-called “monastic charter”, which for the laity, of course, is too strict, but can become a kind of guide, if not to action, then at least to reflection. And of course, we should remember that fasting without prayer and spiritual growth is just a diet.
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First week |
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Complete abstinence from food |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Second week |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Third week |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Fourth week |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Fifth week |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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Sixth week |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Fish roe is allowed |
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Fish and some wine are allowed |
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Holy Week |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Dry eating (bread, vegetables, fruits) |
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Complete abstinence from food |
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Hot food with vegetable oil |
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