In 2024, believing Christians living in the territory will traditionally go through several long and one-day Orthodox fasts. They will refrain from eating food that is of animal origin, and will also limit participation in recreational activities as much as possible. These are the most favorable moments for increasing attention to spiritual life, participation in divine services and Sacraments established by the Orthodox Church.
Lent
The fasting period falls on different times every year and, in accordance with the annual liturgical cycle fixed in the church calendar, it captures the winter and spring months.It can start in February or March and end in April or May. In 2024, Holy Lent begins on March 18, and the end of Holy Week of Lent falls on May 4.
Each of the seven weeks has its own special name. The strict monastic Charter prescribes serious restrictions on food:
- complete rejection of animal products - meat, dairy and eggs;
- on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - dry eating, you can eat bread, vegetables, fruits;
- on Tuesdays and Thursdays, hot meals without butter are served on the table;
- on Saturdays and Sundays it is blessed to flavor food with vegetable oil;
- on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and on Palm Sunday, fish is allowed;
- you can eat caviar on Lazarus Saturday.
A long time of restriction in food makes it possible for believers to cleanse their souls with repentance and with a pure heart meet Great Easter - the Bright Resurrection of Christ. However, believers should measure the severity of church prescriptions with their state of he alth and general well-being, and in case of doubt, receive a blessing or at least the advice of a priest.
Petrov post
The beginning of the first of the summer Lenten periods is floating, depending on the time of Easter. It begins a week after the celebration of the Holy Trinity (Pentecost). Since the end of fasting always falls on the feast of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, the total duration varies from 8 to 42 days. In 2024, it will last only 12 days - from July 1 to July 12.
Requirements regarding food restrictions are much softer compared to Lenten days. Animal products are required to be excluded from the menu, but fish and seafood are allowed. The same goes for vegetable oil.Peter's post was established by the church in memory of how the chief apostles were preparing to go out to preach the Gospel around the world.
Assumption Fast
Relatively short and falls on the same numbers every year. The Church calls on the faithful to undergo a two-week abstinence (from August 14 to 27) in memory of the Most Holy Theotokos, whose Assumption is celebrated on August 28. Believers remember the amazing humility of the Most Pure Mother of Jesus Christ, with which she accepted everything prepared for Her in earthly life.
The holidays celebrated in the last summer month also contribute to a special Assumption mood:
- August 14 - The origin (wearing out) of the honest trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord;
- August 19 - Transfiguration of the Lord;
- August 29 - Transfer of the Image of the Lord Jesus Christ Not Made by Hands.
In accordance with folk traditions, another name has been fixed - "Spasovka" . The level of severity of this time corresponds to the Holy Fortecost.
Christmas post
Also called Filippov, because it begins the day after the celebration of the memory of the Apostle Philip - one of the closest disciples of the Savior. The start and end dates of this important 40-day period are unchanged: it always runs from November 28 to January 6.
Its main meaning is to prepare believers as much as possible for the spiritual experience of the great holiday - the Nativity of Christ. It is for this that the church calls for the feat of abstinence and fervent prayer.
The requirements for observing the Nativity Fast are much less strict compared to the Holy Forty Day. It is allowed to enjoy fish and seafood on certain days, it is not forbidden to cook dishes using vegetable oil.
January 18 - Epiphany Christmas Eve
It is considered the most ancient of the one-day ones, it has been known since the 3rd century. Believers devote Christmas Eve to preparing for the upcoming Great Blessing of the Waters and the meeting of one of the 12 most important Orthodox holidays - the Baptism of the Lord (Holy Theophany).The severity level is directly related to the day of the week.
If January 18 falls on Monday - Friday, the only meal allowed is dinner with sunflower oil. Two meals are allowed on weekends - a modest lunch after the Divine Liturgy and a not-too-large dinner.
September 11 - Beheading of John the Baptist
Strict Abstinence Day. The Baptist of the Lord was an ascetic faster and an intense prayer book. Remembering how martyrly his death was, the Orthodox Church does not bless the use of animal products and fish, cooking with vegetable oil. The charter of the monastery of St. Savva the Sanctified in Jerusalem contains information that the day was "bequeathed by the ancient holy fathers" , with special reverence for the great prophet John the Baptist.
September 27 - Ex altation of the Holy Cross
The Orthodox Church dedicates the holiday to the memory of the sufferings on the cross that Jesus Christ had to endure. It is not blessed to eat foods of animal origin. There is no relief, even if the holiday coincides with Sunday.
At the solemn service, believers remember the miracle of finding the Holy Cross of the Lord. This event took place in ancient Jerusalem in 326, not far from Golgotha. At the same time, the Orthodox celebrate the event of the 7th century - the return of the Cross from the Persian captivity by the Greek Emperor Heraclius.
Periods of solid weeks
Throughout the Cheese Week, which precedes the onset of Lenten days, meat is no longer eaten, but fish, milk and products made from it, eggs are allowed to be consumed on any day. In 2024, Oil Week falls on the period from 11 to 17 March.
No need to limit yourself in food and entertainment for the continuation of continuous weeks:
- Publican and Pharisee;
- Easter;
- Trinity.
In 2024, these weeks, respectively, fall on February 26 - March 2, May 6-11; June 24-30.
In order not to be mistaken and to clearly know when there are no restrictions on food, and when abstinence is necessary, you can check the church calendar. No new posts are expected in 2024, and the dates of the old ones, already familiar, have long been known.
Other traditions
Traditionally throughout the year, with the exception of some continuous weeks dedicated to certain events, there are food restrictions on Wednesday and Friday. They are installed in memory of the crucifixion of the Savior, as well as the fact that He was betrayed by Judas. The menu does not include dishes made from animal products.
Priests remind you: don't take fasting as a diet.It does not represent an independent value, but is considered a tool that helps to adjust the spiritual life. It is necessary to decide on such a feat not because others around them do it or President Vladimir Putin approves it, but based on internal motives. A voluntary restriction in food and entertainment will be a good helper if there is a sincere desire to purify the soul and set oneself up for good deeds.
