Rules for observing Great Lent for the laity. With health benefits. The Spiritual Side of Lent

FAST RULES
The Orthodox calendar contains special days- days of fasting. The most important - Great Lent, in 2010 - from February 15 to April 3. The next one happens every year before the holiday Chief Apostles Peter and Paul. This is one of the four multi-day bequeathed fasts named in memory of the Apostle Peter. The duration of Peter's fast depends on Easter and in 2010 will be 42 days, from May 31 to July 11.
We observe the next multi-day fast from August 14 to 28, this is the Assumption Fast. And at the end of the year, from November 28 to January 6, the Christmas (Filippov) fast continues.

In essence, fasting is a feat and is associated with faith and boldness, it is an impulse of the soul, seeking purity, striving to overcome its sinfulness and free the spirit from slavery to the body. “He who does not love fasting,” say the saints, “is lazy, negligent, powerless for other feats, and by this shows the relaxation of his soul, unable to tame the sinful inclinations of the flesh and control it.”

The main task of fasting is repentance, contrition for sins. A modern person devotes a lot of time to his body: every day he takes a shower, using a variety of shampoos, soaps, deodorants, anoints his body with creams. What about our soul? She also needs purification, which is possible only through repentance at confession. Imagine for a moment that we bathe only once a year or even less often. But this is exactly what we do in relation to the soul - our main treasure, given to us by God. The body will die, but the soul will live forever. Let us remember this during the days of the Nativity Fast and let us accomplish each of our little deeds in the name of Christ.

Fasting is an intense prayer for the sick and suffering. Only then does the post have spiritual meaning when it is connected with prayer, works of mercy, abstinence from pleasures. These days, you need to limit yourself to entertainment and generally try to avoid them.

Petrov and Nativity fasts are not as strict as the Great or Assumption. But even on his days they do not eat meat, dairy products, eggs, and on Wednesday and Friday they do not eat fish. After the day of memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, on December 19, fish is eaten only on Saturday and Sunday, and from January 2 it is not consumed until the very holiday.

The strength and effectiveness of fasting can be judged by the power of depriving oneself of something and the sacrifice. It is known that you can also prepare delicious dishes from lean food and thus satisfy your voluptuousness and greed to some extent. It must be remembered that it is indecent for a person who repents of his sins to eat sweetly and plentifully during fasting.

You need to know the measure of fasting. For physically healthy people The basis of fasting is abstinence in food. Here we can distinguish several degrees of physical fasting: the rejection of meat; refusal of dairy; refusal of fish; refusal of oil; depriving yourself of food in general for some time. Naturally, only healthy people and with the blessing of the priest can go to the last stages of fasting. But even in abstinence it is necessary to exercise prudence and prudence. One saint compared our body to a donkey, which, if you overfeed, will begin to kick, and if you do not feed it, it can die of hunger. According to Cassian the Roman, "extremes on both sides are equally harmful - both the excess of fasting and the satiety of the womb." The saint spoke of how, having overtired oneself with fasting, one can fall into the passion of gluttony. Moreover, immoderate abstinence is more harmful than satiety, as it leads to impotence.

If a person fasts in such a way that he can no longer pray because of bodily weakness, then this means that the rational line has been left far behind. As the hermit Nicephorus said, the Lord does not require hunger, but a feat. A feat is what a person can do the greatest according to his strength, and the rest - by grace. Our strength is now weak, and the Lord does not require great feats from us.

General rule abstinence is that everyone, in accordance with the strength, condition of the body and age, eat as much food as necessary to maintain health, and not as much as the desire for satiety requires. We can observe the measure of fasting by eating at a certain time and not allowing ourselves to snack on the go (the same, by the way, is also advised by doctors). Let's not forget the advice of Rev. Anthony the Great: "Eat the simplest and cheapest food."

Those who break the fast due to illness or other infirmity should remember that there may be a certain amount of lack of faith and intemperance here. We need to be honest with ourselves: when we refuse to fast for fear of weakening our health, we show painful suspiciousness and lack of faith. If possible, consult with the priest on how you can fast, but if this is not possible, calculate your strength.

In cases where, due to illness or a large lack of food, a person cannot observe the usual norms of fasting, then let him do everything he can in this regard, for example: refuse all entertainment, from TV, from sweets or favorite dishes, fast at least on Wednesday and Friday.

The Lord commands to hide your fast from others. If by chance you were a guest and you were served fast food descend to those who treat you, and in this way preserve love. We should not reproach those around us for neglecting fasting. The following story was told about Metropolitan Filaret of Moscow. Once he came to his spiritual children just in time for dinner. A meal was served at the table, although it was a fast day. The metropolitan did not give a sign and, without embarrassing the hosts, tasted what was served.

It happens that not everyone in the family adheres to the post. Do not reproach your loved ones: fasting is voluntary, perhaps the time will come and they will know the sweetness of abstinence.

For an Orthodox believer who prioritizes the soul over the body, fasting is always desirable. He perceives the time of abstinence with spiritual joy. Anyone who has ever attempted to fast, and not for the sake of losing weight, but for the sake of God, knows how joyful this state is.

POST - GIFT ANCIENT
Fasting existed in the days of the Old Testament, but Christians began to fast from the very foundation of the Church. The oldest church writers claim that the apostles established the first 40-day fast in imitation of the prophet Moses and the Savior, who fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. This is where the name of Great Lent, Lent, came from. Church historians believe that in the form in which great post exists today, took shape gradually and finally took shape when it became customary to baptize new converts at Easter and prepare them for the reception of the Sacrament by a long fast. Out of a sense of brotherhood and love, all believers began to take part in this fast with them.

Already in the 4th century Lent existed everywhere. The post was very strict. The ancient Christian writer Tertullian says that only bread, dried vegetables and fruits were allowed, and then not until the evening. They didn't even drink water during the day. In the East, dry eating continued until the 12th century. Any joy and fun was considered a violation of the fast. The general rule was to abstain from stimulating foods and to moderate the use of even permitted foods.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the strict observance of fasting was firmly established in Russian society, becoming integral part the very religious life of the people. During the first week of Great Lent, the noisy Russian capital seemed to fall asleep. No one appeared on the street unnecessarily. Shops were closed for the first three days. No one was selling or buying, everyone was inexorably present at the service, wearing simple clothes. Orthodox Russian people big love carried the feat of the post. But it was much more difficult to abstain from alcoholic beverages. And in order to prevent drunkenness and revelry during Great Lent, the archers, at the behest of the king, sealed all drinking establishments, and they were closed until Easter Wednesday.

In addition to abstinence in food and drink, the charter during fasting provided for intensified prayer with bows. So, according to the Studian Rule, it was supposed to be daily 240 prostrations. Large and medium bows were prescribed. According to the teachings of the holy fathers, bows, like fasting, had the same task - “to torment one’s flesh, so that it does not fight on the spirit.”

The ancient preachers paid special attention to the reception of the Holy Mysteries, they exhorted the faithful to take communion as often as possible, so as not to give the devil access to the soul. Historical documents testify that pious and God-fearing Christians partake of the Holy Mysteries every week of Great Lent.

The highest feat during fasting was considered mercy to neighbors. Every Christian was charged by the Church to show constant concern for his brothers who were in poverty. Almsgiving to the poor in Russia was seen as a necessary companion of fasting, giving it a moral value.

Church charter Ancient Russia strict adherence to cleanliness married life. Special abstinence was observed during Great Lent and before communion of the Holy Mysteries, according to the word of the Apostle Paul, who advised spouses to have abstinence by mutual agreement during fasting and prayer.

A distinctive feature of the spiritual life of the Russian people was piety. The spiritual ideal of the people of that time was a “ascetic” monk, who devoted himself entirely to serving God. Moreover, the monastic way of life was not something implanted from the outside, but, on the contrary, flowed from the inner, heartfelt need of the deeply believing Russian people. External severity was only a manifestation of concentration on the internal “invisible” battle, the desire to cleanse oneself of all impurity for unity with God. Therefore, within the framework of a strict way of life, Russian people felt natural, free and simple.

« BRIDGE FOR SEVEN VERSTS". A Discourse on the Traditions of Lent

“There is a bridge for seven miles; at the end of the bridge there is a golden mile," - so in the old days they figuratively spoke about Great Lent - "a bridge of seven miles" (this fast lasts seven weeks), and about the Resurrection of Christ - a "golden mile". On Monday, February 15, Orthodox believers took the first step on this bridge. It will end on April 4 - in Svetloye Christ's Resurrection. About the features and traditions of Great Lent, our conversation with the cleric of the Exaltation of the Cross Cathedral in Petrozavodsk, Archpriest Konstantin SAVANDER:

- When and by whom was the post established?

- Also in Old Testament The Lord commanded the Israelites to give a tithe (that is, a tenth) of everything they acquired. By doing so, people were blessed in all their affairs. Knowing this, the Holy Apostles set a tenth of the year for consecration to God, so that we would be blessed in all our deeds and cleansed from the sins committed throughout the year.

What is the main meaning of Great Lent?

– Great Lent precedes the days in which suffering, death and the Bright Resurrection of Christ are remembered, which gave hope and our resurrection for eternal life. To fulfill this hope is to imitate the Savior in purity and holiness. All our lives we must pray, repent, do works of mercy, and during the days of fasting we need to work especially hard. Lent is a special time when a Christian works hard to cleanse his soul and body. He should give up entertainment: visits to the cinema, theater, concerts, minimize TV viewing. It is necessary to exclude fast food from the menu - meat, milk, eggs and products from them. And on Wednesdays, Fridays, on the first, third and Holy Weeks, you can’t eat fish either.

– Father Konstantin, are concessions allowed?

– Post-time of limiting oneself in everything one wants, subordinating oneself to necessity. Spiritual training of the soul and body. However, we must remember that fasting is not a diet. We abstain for Christ's sake, that is, our repentance of sins before the Lord is confirmed by abstinence in food and in pleasures. But if we have fasted to a stomach ulcer or suffer from serious illnesses in which we need to eat modest foods, and we do not eat them, then we commit a sin, for we become like suicides. Also, we cannot fully observe the fast while traveling - at this time we live in special conditions beyond our control. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, soldiers, workers engaged in heavy physical labor fasting is also relaxed. If it is not possible to fast in food, you should try to limit yourself in something else. Or take a vow: during the fast, do not offend or condemn anyone ... But to ease the fast, you need to take the blessing of the priest.

– How does the Church help to spend the time of fasting?

- A special order of worship. In the first week of fasting, the fast is especially strict; on the first four days, the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. Every Sunday of Great Lent is filled with special significance. On the first Sunday, the Triumph of Orthodoxy is celebrated, established in memory of the restoration of the veneration of icons in 842 in Byzantium. On the second, third and fourth Saturdays, the dead are commemorated. The following Sunday is dedicated to the memory of St. Gregory Palamas. The saint taught that for the feat of fasting and prayer, the Lord illuminates the faithful with grace. This Sunday evening, the first Passion is performed - a very touching service with the reading of a passage from the Gospel, dedicated to the sufferings of the Savior. The remaining three passions are served on subsequent Sundays.

On the third week, called the Adoration of the Cross, fasting is very strict. On Saturday evening, the Cross of the Lord is brought to the center of the church for veneration. This is a special reminder to believers of God's love for man, according to which the Son of God gave himself up to death on the cross.

The fourth Sunday is dedicated to the memory of St. John of the Ladder, author of The Ladder, a book about spiritual growth. At the Thursday evening service, the canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the life of St. Mary of Egypt, which is why the whole divine service, lasting several hours, was called "the standing of Mary of Egypt." Saturday of this week is dedicated to the memory of the deliverance of Constantinople from the Persian and Avar invasions, in memory of which, on the eve of evening worship the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos is read. This day is called the Saturday of the Akathist, or Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Saturday of the sixth week - "Lazarus Saturday" - is dedicated to the memory of the resurrection of Lazarus. The sixth Sunday is celebrated great holiday- The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, or Palm Sunday. Willow branches are consecrated in the temple, which are then kept for the whole year near the icons. Next, last week is called Holy Week. It's about memories last days earthly life of the Savior - His suffering, death on the cross and burials.

Interviewed by Irina TATARINA, 2010

POST TEST
February 15 - the beginning of Lent 2010. It lasts 7 weeks and is inextricably linked with the Easter holiday. Fasting prepares us for a great and bright holiday, purifying and sanctifying the soul through repentance and communion.

People who are far from spiritual life often ask why the Church has introduced fasting into its annual cycle, why should a person limit himself in food? We asked the rector of the Sheltozero Spaso-Christmas parish, Hieromonk DOSIFEY (Larionov), to answer this question.

If a person does not have a certain framework and believes that it is permissible for him to always and in everything satisfy any of his desires, then in principle he exists, just as an animal exists, which, for example, stumbles upon food, will definitely eat it, and not will, looking at a tidbit, convince himself that in this moment he doesn't have to do it. But a man differs from an animal in that he has a mind that guides his life.

IN Orthodox Church four fasts and two fast days in the middle of the week - Wednesday and Friday. The post is coming for the benefit of a person, even if he has not yet begun to live a full spiritual life. Because nothing tempers his character so much as fasting days, I was convinced of this from my little experience. Matushka Paraskeva, who works at the Valaam Compound in St. Petersburg and prepares food for the clergy, once told me that during the years of the persecution of the Church she worked as a cook in a restaurant and during Great Lent she often brought dishes with appetizing smells on a tray. chicken meat. And it didn't tempt her at all.

If you want to temper your will, then fasting will especially help you in this. It is also important that you can use this quality acquired in fasting during the struggle with passions. After all modern man is among many temptations. And the stamina developed during the fast helps him overcome any of them.

By oppressing your womb, you leave a place in your soul for the grace of God, and prepare yourself for its perception. Saint Seraphim of Sarov advised to get up from the table without feeling full. “Leave room for the Spirit of God,” said the monk.

But sometimes a person does not find peace in fasting, because his fast is often associated only with the restriction of food and the space formed from physical fasting in his soul is not filled with spiritual acquisitions. And the person does not understand why he became so irritable, why he is dissatisfied with himself. This also happens with Christians who are just beginning to bear the feat of fasting every Wednesday and Friday. In the words of the holy fathers, fasting is like a bird that ascends to heaven. This bird should have two wings, one wing is a restriction in food, and the other is a prayer.

Recorded by Olga SIDLOVSKAYA

ABOUT THE MEAL IN GREAT LENT

There are meal rules determined by the Church Charter - they are very strict and are usually performed in monasteries, as well as by some lay people with the blessing of the confessor. These rules can be found in the Orthodox church calendar published annually by the Russian Orthodox Church.
For the laity, there are several degrees of relaxation of fasting - it depends on the age of the person, his occupation, state of health and many other factors.
The table below shows an approximate meal plan for Lent. What is highlighted in blue is what can be eaten according to the charter, in green - what can be eaten by the laity as a relaxation of the charter.

Maslenitsa: you can’t eat meat, but you can eat dairy food and eggs all week on all days.

All Great Lent: you can not eat meat, dairy food and eggs.
Sick, weakened people can take a blessing from the confessor to ease the fast - at least for milk on some days.

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

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

On Great (Good) Friday, according to the charter, we do not eat anything.
To the laity - dry food.

IN Great Saturday- dry food, food even without vegetable oil.
Lay people are allowed to eat boiled food, as an exception, vegetable oil is allowed.

On Saturdays and Sundays, according to the charter, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
Lay people, as an exception, can eat fish.

On Palm Sunday and the Annunciation, according to the charter, fish is allowed.

What can be eaten by the laity on the eve of Easter is described in detail by the food calendar for Great Lent 2018. bright holiday Sunday of Christ.

The main requirement is a complete rejection of meat, smoked meats, bakery products, sweets and alcoholic beverages for four whole decades. For every day, you will have to cook only very simple, lean dishes, and eat them only once a day. All the rest of the time must be devoted to caring for the soul, prayers, good deeds and pure thoughts. Only in this way will it be possible to get rid of bad emotions, unpleasant thoughts and sinful desires, finding peace in the heart and God's blessing in return.

If you find it difficult to remember how to fast correctly and what you can eat every day, download the food table for Lent 2018 from our website for free and always keep it with you. This little cheat sheet will help you clearly follow all the rules and meet Easter, completely freeing your body and heart from everything negative.

Great Lent Nutrition Calendar 2018 – Table of What You Can Eat Every Day

Abbreviated Nutrition Calendar 2018 Lent is a table in in general terms describing what Orthodox Christians can eat during the 40 days preceding Easter. You can download the material to your gadget and always have it at hand, without bothering to remember strict requirements. This information is especially useful for those who have recently become interested in Orthodox canons and for the first time decided to observe the rules of Great Lent for the sake of cleansing their souls and bodies and gaining God's blessing.

The Church approves such desires of the laity and always encourages them. However, the clergy advise the parishioners to thoroughly prepare for the Lenten period and realistically calculate their strength. If there is any doubt that a strict diet will be maintained, it is better not to exhaust the body with the strongest load and for the first time just slightly reduce the number of forbidden foods consumed. When this milestone is successfully overcome, you can move on to more serious restrictions and endure Great Lent in full.

In addition to the rejection of delicious and high-calorie dishes, it is advisable to forget about various amusements and festive events for 40 days. This will help you cleanse yourself spiritually and become closer to God. Prayers and reading biblical texts will allow you to tune in the right way. They will have a beneficial effect on the state of mind and restore the balance of the heart, disturbed by the pursuit of money, career growth and other material pursuits.

Nutrition table during Lent 2018 - what we eat on the days of the week

Orthodox calendar for Great Lent for 2018 - what can be eaten by day for the laity and believers

What the laity and believers can eat every day before Easter is described in detail by the calendar for Lent for 2018. The most important condition spelled out two main positions:

• voluntary 40-day abstinence from fatty, high-calorie, satisfying and tasty foods, alcohol and sweets;
• rejection of all worldly temptations.

During the entire period, only fasting meals are allowed, and in very small quantities, and preferably in the evening. It is strictly forbidden to visit bars, discos and other festive events.

Both laymen and believers are encouraged to devote their free moments to spiritual growth, moral purification and complete deliverance from the negative that has accumulated in the soul. In this way, you can learn to resist sinful temptations by taking control of your emotions and desires.

People who strictly observe the rules of the fasting period rethink their existence, free themselves from envy and anger, become more tolerant of others, and eventually come to the conclusion that material values, constant pleasures and self-indulgence do not lead to anything good. After all, even the biggest money can not buy true love friendship, devotion and fidelity. All these feelings are available only to those who have pure thoughts and an open heart, not burdened with a heightened desire to gain wealth, influence and fame.

What can the laity and believers eat during Lent 2018 - Orthodox nutrition calendar

Both laity and deeply believing Orthodox Christians during Great Lent must completely remove from the diet any kind of meat, sweets, chocolate, pastries, eggs, dairy products, smoked meats and other types of fatty, high-calorie foods. Alcohol is strictly unacceptable, both weak and strong.

Many are afraid of such severe restrictions, but, in fact, there is nothing terrible about them. The list of available lenten dishes includes products that allow you to relieve the inevitable feeling of hunger and fully saturate the body with the substances and trace elements necessary for a full life.

The list of allowed products is not too scarce and includes items such as:

• bread - yeast-free from healthy cereals and black from flour of the most coarse grinding;
• beans - peas, beans, lentils;
• cereals - wheat, oatmeal, corn, rice, barley and buckwheat;
• fresh fruits and vegetables;
• jams and confitures from fruits, cooked with a minimum amount of sugar or boiled in their own juice;
• nuts of different types;
• vegetables - salted or pickled;
• mushrooms - regardless of the method of preparation;
• vegetable oils.

From the above components, you can form a lean, but quite tasty and nutritious diet that meets the basic daily needs of the human body.

It is very important to remember that all the recommendations described are relevant only for absolutely healthy people who do not have chronic and seasonal diseases. For everyone else, before fasting, you should consult with a nutritionist or your doctor and find out if their body can withstand a 40-day fasting marathon.

Menu for the laity for every day according to the calendar of Great Lent 2018

The Orthodox food calendar for Lent 2018 is scheduled by day and indicates what and when the laity can eat. Each day has its own rules and they must be followed. Three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, only those foods that do not need to be cooked are allowed. The portion is determined individually, however, it should not be too large. You can eat it at any time, but the church canon recommends doing this in the evening, but not right before bedtime, but 2-3 hours before a night's rest.

Only water is allowed for drinking. It must be filtered or boiled, and then naturally cool to room temperature.

For Tuesday and Thursday, hot dishes are allowed, such as soups or cereals. According to the lenten menu, vegetable oils and fruits are not eaten these days. The ideal time to eat is in the evening just before bedtime.

On Saturday and Sunday, the rules are slightly softened and allowed to season dishes made from vegetable products with vegetable oil. You can eat twice these days - in the morning and in the evening.

The table describing how to fast correctly, separately notes significant Christian holidays such as the Annunciation and Palm Sunday. For these celebrations, you can move away from a strict diet a little and put dishes from lean varieties of fish and seafood on the table, and on Lazarus Saturday it is quite acceptable to eat a little fish caviar spread it on a piece of grain bread.

How to eat on Fedorov and Holy Week of Great Lent 2018

The first (Fedorov) and last (Holy) weeks of Lent 2018 are considered the most important. These days are subject to the most stringent dietary restrictions. On the first day of the fasting period and Good Friday believers are advised to completely refuse food and spend time in prayers. The only thing that can be used is a small amount of holy water. For the laity, these restrictions are not obligatory and can only be carried out by own will, having previously consulted with his doctor and confessor.

Great Lent is approaching. Someone transgresses to him for the first time, someone has many years of experience behind him. In both cases, a person is not immune from mistakes in the process of passing through the feat of Lent. Abbot Nektariy (Morozov), rector of the Peter and Paul Church in Saratov, reflects on the most common of them and how to avoid them.

Stricter or more liberal?

The essence of fasting, whether it be Christmas, Petrovsky or Great Lent, is to give yourself a certain amount of work, at least to a minimal extent oppressing your flesh in its usual needs and requirements, and at the same time achieve some kind of release of the spirit. Fasting contributes to greater composure, fasting humbles and makes you face your own inner man, see what is happening in the heart and in the soul.

The gastronomic component is only external factor, allowing, let's say, to influence itself. After all, the struggle with any passion begins with the fact that a person denies himself the pleasure, imaginary or real, which the satisfaction of this passion usually brings him. And food is the most primitive pleasure, which, one way or another, all people strive for with rare, rare exceptions. And when a person refuses certain types of food or begins to eat less, then he, accordingly, acquires the skill to limit himself in something else. A “foundation” appears in order to build on it the struggle against all other passions.

A person for whom church life is just beginning often tries more strictly, or rather, more literally perform what relates to the bodily component of fasting. And for a person who understands more deeply church life, it is still characteristic to think more about those internal changes which during fasting should happen to him and which he only contributes to by abstaining from food.

In deciding whether to fast more strictly or, conversely, more liberally, everything depends on the strength and health of a particular person. There are people who have the necessary health to fast without oil and even eat uncooked food, someone can eat once a day, someone once every two days, but this is rare. Most often, a modern person is so physically and psychologically weak that if he literally adheres to the Typicon, then most likely he will not be able to complete the fast. Or he will not be able to go to church services, or will not understand what is read and sung there, simply because his brain, not receiving the necessary nourishment, will be oppressed. Therefore, everyone should focus not on how long he goes to church and whether he knows church life well, but on what specifically for him, within the framework of the charter on fasting, can be neither excessive nor too small, but real work.

Of course, if a person fasts for the first time, he cannot know what is feasible for him and what is not. Therefore, in my opinion, when embarking on the feat of fasting, it is necessary to consult on all related issues with the priest to whom a person usually confesses and who, accordingly, knows the characteristics of his health, lifestyle, and experience of church life. With the same priest, a person can also adjust the measure of fasting if after some time he feels that he has taken on a feat beyond his strength or, conversely, too much. light labor who doesn't even feel.

Moreover, it is natural to consult with a priest on this matter, because fasting while outside the Church is practically meaningless, because fasting is a church institution, and it serves to ensure that a person enters deeper into church life. This is a kind of unification with the life of the Church, and if it does not occur, then it is just a diet, nothing more.

It happens that a person who has been in the Church for a long time, at first tried to fast strictly and, perhaps, even damaged his health, and therefore a certain setback occurs later - there is a fear of fasting. There must be a reasonable approach. For example, many saints, such as the Monk Abba Dorotheos, have the following instruction about fasting: measure for yourself how much food you need, take a little from it, and here is your fast.

Rule of fasting for the laity?

There is an opinion among the churched people that since the charter of fasting was written for monks, it is necessary to draw up another, special one for the laity. But the fact is that we really do have a single church charter based on the Typicon, which was naturally born in the monastic environment. Whether there is a need for a separate charter on fasting for the laity, as well as a charter for parish worship, I do not know. The issue is quite complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, this makes sense and some rational grain. On the other hand, in the Typicon we see a kind of icon of ascetic life, an ideal image to which a person should strive. This sets the level that is largely unattainable for us, but to which we, nevertheless, are drawn.

The commandments of Christ, according to the Savior, are not heavy and simple, but when a person tries to fulfill them, it turns out that it is practically unbearable. All our lives we should strive to fulfill these commandments, no matter how difficult it may be for us. And this is more difficult than the rule about fasting or worship. But if we reject the Typikon in the form in which it is, because of its complexity, and are looking for a simpler charter, closer to our weak forces, then we need to create some kind of commandments for the laity. But this is absurd. There is one gospel, it is for everyone.

Then maybe there is nothing to change? And all your life to reach for the proper, and at the same time have every reason to say: We are the indispensable slaves(OK. 17 , 10). This feeling of one’s own “worthlessness” is the very thing that a person should come to thanks to fasting. After all, a physically strong person who can eat extremely little food and rejoice in it, another danger awaits - to become proud, like a Pharisee, about whom we hear in the hymns of the Week about the publican and the Pharisee. When it turns out that someone is trying, but physically cannot do something, he resigns himself. And it seems to me that this is a kind of ideal model.

Symbol or work?

A common mistake of our parishioners is that they often focus all their attention on the gastronomic part of the fast, forgetting about its spiritual component. And this error has less to do with the question "how to fast?", but with the problem of a misunderstanding of the Christian life as such. The Christian life is putting off the old man and putting on the new man, it is a constant work on your heart. And a Christian must first, first of all, become a good person, and then a good Christian, which is associated precisely with those changes that occur in the heart. Everything else is only external. We consist of a soul and a body, and both of these components must equally participate in this work, but in different ways. And first of all, what is inside.

However, there is some temptation here to say that fasting is not important at all and can be reduced to a certain symbol. No, in everything that a person does, there must be labor approaching the brink of his possibility, because the Lord begins to truly help when a person does everything in his power: whether in the fulfillment of the commandments of Christ, in any difficult life situations or here in given time post. And then this work, by the grace of God, bears fruit. If, on the other hand, a person sets himself the limit of labor: I can do so much, and that is enough, because it is not important, then there will be no benefit. We must show the firmness of our will, and the rest will be done by the Lord. Of course, there is a place for slyness in everything we do, and it only depends on us: to notice this slyness in ourselves, to fight it, to be a little more demanding of ourselves and even, maybe, cruel or not.

One of effective ways not to lose sight of the spiritual component of the Great Lent is to draw up a plan for myself, even on paper, and outline what I should try to do during this Lent. I am sure that any reasonable Orthodox Christian The key point in this regard will not be the reduction of food intake to such a minimum, but the spiritual requirements for oneself: to change something in your life, in your relationships with people, even in your work. But at the same time, it was noticed that when a person restricts himself in food, he wants to speak less, to condemn. True, he becomes a little more irritable, but, knowing this feature, you just need to be careful and treat it correctly.

People who have been in the Church for a long time and feel confident when they start fasting are also not immune from a number of mistakes. There is such a common expression: “deeper in church life,” and this is probably the main mistake - the feeling of being deep. We do not have the task of delving into something - into church life, into the reading of the holy fathers, into the Gospel. We have a mission to become good people and good Christians, draw closer to God. All our Christian life manifests itself in what the fruits of this life are.

There is a story in the patericon about how a certain brother went around and everywhere praised his spiritual guide like a great old man. And someone finally asked him: “How can such a good tree like him, was born such a sour fruit like you? A person can read a lot, attend services often, fast rigorously, pray a lot, but at the same time not acquire either humility, or meekness, or patience with everything that the Lord sends in life, or readiness to accept and fulfill the will of God, no matter what. she did not conclude. But it is precisely in this that a person should delve deeper - into devotion to the will of God.

Newspaper " Orthodox faith» № 3 (527)
Inna Stromilova

People today don't just think about God. They aspire to it spiritually, trying to the best of their ability to adapt their lives to the rules outlined by the canons of faith. Sooner or later, everyone comes to the need to observe Great Lent. For a layman - the requirement is complex, sometimes exorbitant. Especially if you focus on the monastic charter. However, not everything is as it seems. Let's figure it out.

The meaning of the post

It must be understood that refusing food is not a diet, much less a punishment.
Great Lent for a layman should become a time of spiritual cleansing in the first place. This is an opportunity to fence off, to break away from the widespread in present times desire for consumption. Advertising and a variety of goods sometimes crowd out the very realization of the Lord from the minds. And Lent for a layman can be an opportunity to get away from this “constant race for blessings.” After all, happiness, as almost everyone finds out, does not depend on material wealth. To understand this, to realize it with the heart, is the goal of Great Lent. It should also be understood that its rules, of course, are defined quite unambiguously. However, there are many "indulgences" that those who wish to use. These are not "loopholes for tricksters." Rather, they are the grace of the Lord for those who are not strong in spirit, and in body too. Just do not approach this peculiar test with despondency. This is not what the Great Fast was invented for. The rules for the laity are not strict. In any case, a person will not die of hunger, but he will have time to think.

Not according to the charter, but according to conscience

If you ask a clergyman what Great Lent means for a layman, then, as a rule, he will begin to talk not about products, but about the soul. For example, when talking about various charters, the servants of the Temple often mention the monastery, and also the Typicon. The fact is that different groups of believers interpreted in their own way the rules set forth in the Holy Scriptures.

Monks who give all their thoughts to the Lord are required to observe a very strict fast. This is not required of the laity. Yes, they have some restrictions. But all of them are connected more with the work of the spirit, and not with oppression of the stomach. The Kyiv hegumen Alipiy made the following conclusion: in conscience, you need to fast, then the Lord will accept your efforts and bless. Norms and rules are displeasing to the Almighty. It is more important for him when a believer is able to cultivate repentance in himself, to illuminate his soul with love for his neighbor. That is, he aspires with his soul to the Lord, and does not torment himself with hunger.

How the laity observe Great Lent

Let's still talk about the specific rules of the forty-cost. First of all, we will touch on strict prohibitions. They concern meat, alcohol, oil. You should also refrain from i.e. sweets, cakes, cakes, buns and the like. All this is done in order for the soul to work, to stay without "pleasures of the bodily sense." Although some concessions are still provided.

So, on certain days it is allowed to serve fish, caviar, use vegetable oil. You will say that the observance of Lent for the laity is a pure nightmare. Actually it is not. After all, there are many more permitted products than prohibited ones. And more importantly, they are much tastier and healthier, only we, with our habits, forgot about it.

What can you eat

It is allowed to serve cereals and vegetables, fresh and dried fruits to the table. Many people find it difficult to give up meat. So, mushrooms are a great substitute for it! It is allowed to eat them on the Fourties Day. Nuts will help replenish protein. There are many of them now sold both on their own and "overseas". While you try everything, forget about the restrictions. The same goes for fruits. Interestingly, during fasting, many people's taste preferences change. They then chew dried fruits, candied fruits and nuts with more pleasure than sweets and chocolates. For some, the many dishes that are prepared from vegetables become a revelation. In addition, cheese is allowed. Most often, low-fat ones are recommended. But there are a huge number of them. Buy cheese or hard varieties. Thus, you will completely forget about meat.

By the way, there is no mention of seafood in the statutes. In some, for example, they are served on weekends and holidays. Therefore, it is also possible for the laity.

About bread

When compiling the menu for the days of Great Lent, try to make it varied. By the way, it's quite simple. But there are strict rules to consider too. They are primarily concerned with bread. People with normal health are prohibited from white flour. That is, bread to buy (bake) should be rye or from coarse grains. There are no problems with this in stores. The current industry offers many options: with bran, and with nuts, and with grains. Choose to your liking. But the white loaf should be abandoned. On the other hand, that's why he fasts, to limit himself for the glory of the Lord! Exceptions to the rules are made only for small children and the sick. They are allowed to eat meat and other foods. There is the highest justice in this, it is not worth risking your health, the Lord does not require such a sacrifice from anyone.

Lay Calendar

You can create one yourself. It should be remembered that on the first day they refrain from eating at all. And then alternate boiled food with raw food. On weekends, it is allowed to flavor dishes with vegetable oil. In addition, on Palm Sunday it is not forbidden to eat fish. However, the laity such a variety (seafood, caviar) is allowed on Saturdays too. People who have digestive problems (and almost all of our contemporaries are like that) can skip the recommendations about the raw food diet. Therefore, we get that everyone can normally eat vegetables and cereals without oil, mushrooms and fruits. On weekends - add to the diet and fish. When can you eat cheese, you ask? It depends on the severity of the post. The monastic charter generally recommends doing without them. Typicon allows dairy only on weekends. Lay people should look at their own well-being. Remember: fasting according to conscience, not according to the charter. If you suffer from a lack of protein or a monotonous diet - enjoy cheese or cheese every other day (from the second). The Lord did not forbid it. Or better yet, turn your attention inward. Pray - and the answers to all questions will come directly from the Lord. And it will be the most correct!

Lent is the most strict. Following the church charter, fasting has days of complete food refusal, the so-called dry eating days. On these days, only bread and raw fruits are allowed to be eaten.

During fasting, there are other days on which you can eat boiled food in vegetable oil and days on which fish is eaten. Such a fast is very difficult for a layman to endure. For the laity, fasting is comparable to a feat that requires the blessing of a priest.

When a person decides for the first time in his life to observe such a Great Lent, one should learn a little about the rules for observing Great Lent, which are available during Great Lent. You should not make yourself a strict degree of fasting. To do this, you need to contact your spiritual mentor.

Having decided to fast, you should not force household members to food abstinence. Such decisions are made consciously and individually. Any lean food can saturate a person. No, the very essence of fasting is completely reduced by gluttony. In Lent, the rules should not be taken in literally as a ban on food. After all, the use of butter, milk, cheese and cottage cheese is permissible in fasting.

When observing a fast, one should try not to create inconvenience to loved ones, forcing them to cook lenten dishes or postpone upcoming holidays. When the invitation to the holiday coincided with the days of Great Lent, then you should definitely visit the holiday, the presence at the holiday does not oblige you to take food forbidden in fasting, but you are given the opportunity to congratulate a loved one on the holiday.

Observing the rules of fasting, one should not take part in noisy entertainment, behavior should be modest and restrained. It must always be remembered that strict adherence to a diet is just a part of Lent.

During fasting, it is strictly forbidden to swear, swear, sort things out and participate in noisy entertainment.

In Lent, the rules of observance are ordeal. Fasting is not difficult, and even good for health. During fasting, not so much physical as spiritual cleansing takes place. Such a disciplined measure of the spirit solves a number of other problems.

Many who previously did not pay attention to what is on the plate are gradually becoming selective in food. This leads to mindful eating. On such days, the body is cleansed of toxins and toxins. Cleansing the walls of blood vessels helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fasting helps women reduce their subcutaneous fat. The result is a beautiful and light body, a healthy complexion and, what is important, a pure spirit and thoughts.

Observing Great Lent, foods are prohibited: butter, eggs, milk, butter. There are also strict days that prohibit even fish and vegetable oil. There are many allowed foods, this allows you to eat full and varied food in fasting. In order for the food to be complete, it is necessary to correctly compose a diet, taking into account the nutrients contained in the food.

Cereals are a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamins B. Cereals are also rich in glands, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper. Whole grain cereals are of great benefit.

Legumes are also rich in B vitamins, calcium, iron, carbohydrates, vegetable proteins, fats, starch substances and rich in fiber. It is not recommended to use them with bread, nuts and potatoes.

Vegetables and fruits are considered a great source of vitamins, organic acids, dietary fibers, mineral substances, and easily digestible carbohydrates. It is recommended to take at least a couple of fruits a day, pickled or raw. Fresh fruits can be replaced with dried fruits. Dried fruits are rich in glucose and fructose, which allows you to replace modest sweets, these include all sweets and chocolate.

Seeds and nuts are valuable products. They contain vitamins A. E, and B, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus; contain valuable vegetable proteins: they supply fatty acids to the body. But when taking these products, one should take into account their heavy digestibility.

Mushrooms have always been considered a source of proteins and carbohydrates. Mushrooms are also rich in amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins of groups B, C, E, PP and provitamin D. Mushrooms also contain a lot of phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, iodine and calcium. Mushrooms are considered a low-calorie product and are digested for a long time, which does not recommend consuming them every day.

For proper digestion, it is necessary to consume vegetable oil, which contains saturated acids and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E. Vegetable oil supports the body's immunity and metabolism in the body. Sea products such as squid, mussels and shrimp are equated with mushrooms by the church charter, therefore they are allowed to fast.

Eating seafood is undoubtedly beneficial during fasting. Such products supply the body with essential trace elements such as iodine, zinc, copper and phosphorus, easily digestible proteins and dietary fat.