Lent begins after Maslenitsa and lasts 48 days. During this period, it is necessary to eat right, as well as focus on prayer and good intentions. The meaning of fasting is for everyone who fasts to become at least a little better and reconsider some of their actions.
During fasting one should be restrained, humble and calm. It is forbidden to think in a negative way, lie, attend various parties and holidays, have fun, perform marital duties and eat food of animal origin. According to tradition, in this way you can clear your mind and gain clarity of thought. Temporary abstinence from pleasure will make you think about your lifestyle and change some habits. People will be able to fully celebrate Easter, feel its greatness and significance. Each post begins with confession. Contact the temple and find out the dates on which you can talk with the clergy in private. Prepare for confession, prepare yourself for calm and sincerity. Tell the priest everything that has accumulated in your soul. He may refuse you communion, but do not be upset ahead of time. Analyze your actions well and try again in a few days. Read the Gospel and learn about the suffering of Jesus Christ - this will allow you to get closer to God and give you strength during Lent. On the first and last day of fasting, you must completely abstain from food and drink only water. You cannot eat eggs, meat, fish, pastry products, sweets, vegetable oil, or drink milk. Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited - you must give up any bad habits. Alternate your meals: on odd-numbered days, consume thermally unprocessed foods, on even-numbered days, consume processed foods. On weekdays, limit yourself to one serving of food, on weekends – two. On Palm Sunday and during the Annunciation it is allowed to eat fish, and on Lazarus Saturday - caviar. During the period of abstinence, stock up on as many products of plant origin as possible - vegetables, grains, pickles, nuts, fruits, mushrooms, etc. Eat black and gray bread, jelly, juices, herbs. Make a variety of salads. It is allowed to water them with lemon juice and honey. On Saturday and Sunday it is allowed to eat food with vegetable oil, fry lean pancakes and pancakes. People with poor health can fast according to their capabilities. These include children under 14 years of age, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, as well as people with various diseases and those who spend a lot of physical effort every day. The decision to fast must be voluntary. If you find fasting too difficult, consult a priest. It will help determine your measure of abstinence.
During fasting, great cleansing occurs. The fasting person turns to God, as a result of which he feels better. If you follow all the rules of Lent, it will become much easier for you both physically and spiritually.
Neither fish nor fowl.
Who is always on duty?
Merry Maslenitsa died down, the people had their fun, in the old days, after widespread revelry, strict fasting was required for as many as seven weeks. After Maslenitsa, theaters were closed until Easter, any entertainment was stopped, weddings were forbidden, etc. A modern secular person is unlikely to follow all church instructions, because of all abstinence, the current generation has accepted only the ban on meat food. And the Pepsi generation prefers not to remember that fasting is a time of spiritual improvement.
Fasting is now fashionable. Cafes, restaurants, small eateries vying with each other to invite people to have a Lenten menu and offer to try Lenten dishes. And this is very good, even wonderful. Only under one condition: you need to limit yourself in food in moderation, otherwise it will not be beneficial, but completely harmful.
Everything requires skill and training.
As with any serious undertaking, it would be good to prepare for fasting in advance: throughout the year, try to arrange fasting days for yourself, on which to try switching to vegetarian food. Don’t forget: a sudden refusal from your usual diet can aggravate the pain and worsen your health.
In addition, strict fasting is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those engaged in heavy physical or intense intellectual work. Those who have recently suffered severe mental trauma, grief, or are recovering from illness or surgery should also exercise caution. A strict lean diet is also contraindicated for children and adolescents under 14 years of age. Modern children already, according to research, suffer from calcium deficiency, so there is no need to aggravate this deficiency.
The diet prescribed during fasting days is absolutely contraindicated from a medical point of view for those who have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, stomach ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, diabetes and other disorders of the immune status. We don’t even mention those with anemia - fasting is strictly prohibited for them.
In addition, each fasting person must proceed from his own strengths and capabilities. At each stage of life, a person needs a strictly defined amount and quality of nutrition - this is an axiom. A young body requires a lot of energy, and purely vegetarian food in our climate will not provide it. In addition, gastric juice, intended for digesting meat, will remain idle and will corrode the walls of the stomach and duodenum. Therefore, perhaps you should not completely give up animal proteins, especially for younger people leading an active lifestyle.
Another nuance: in our climate, Lent falls during the cold season. For a northern person, it is completely natural to eat more in winter and less in summer. Fish and meat in winter, vegetables in summer. So, despite the prohibitions, fish must definitely be on the table, especially for those who are fasting for the first time.
Well, now - specific recommendations. The main thing is that you cannot eliminate all animal products from your diet in one day. Try to make the task a little easier at first. Next year, the conditions of the task can be complicated by adhering to stricter rules during Lent. If you are fasting for the first time, do not give up vegetable oil, fish, dairy products and eggs. Just give up meat. Thoughtless strict fasting can upset health and make a person irritable and nervous due to a constant feeling of hunger.
Do's and Don'ts
As you know, Lent before Easter is the longest. It lasts 48 days (this year - from February 15 to April 3). At this time, you cannot eat meat, fish, eggs, dairy products (including mayonnaise, yogurt, ice cream), drink alcohol, including drink beer. Pastries (white bread, buns, cakes, cookies) and any sweets are also prohibited. Relaxations are allowed on Annunciation and Palm Sunday, when fish dishes can be eaten. In addition, on Saturdays and Sundays, cheese, seafood, caviar and wine are allowed (of course, not drunk).
On Friday of the last week of Lent, church canons prescribe complete abstinence from food.
Only plant foods are allowed: fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, pickles (sauerkraut, pickled and pickled cucumbers and tomatoes), crackers, dried fruits, teas and decoctions, mushrooms, nuts, black and gray bread, jelly, water porridge.
Alas, this diet is meager. But who said that we should limit ourselves only to these products? Firstly, meat can be replaced with soy during fasting. The lack of animal protein must be compensated for with beans, peas, and lentils. If you tolerate raw salads well, the flag is in your hands. If not, eat boiled vegetables. You don’t have to talk about the variety of modern cereals for a long time - just look at the store closest to your home.
And, by the way, raw food eating is not just cabbage and carrots. These are also nuts, raisins, dried apricots, fruits, including overseas and exotic ones - bananas, pineapples, papaya, etc. And the fish fast table includes red caviar, black caviar (if you can buy it, of course, and are able to pay for it), a variety of seafood, including oysters, lobsters and lobsters.
As you can see, the Lenten table can be very diverse. Thus, you can saturate your body with almost all the substances necessary for normal activity. For example, plant products contain such essential substances for the body as ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, P vitamins (bioflavonoids), dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron, folic acid, vitamin K. They only lack vitamins A and D and B12. Grain products supply our body with protein, carbohydrates, again dietary fiber, vegetables, berries and fruits - carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, nuts are rich in protein and fat.
You can also walk through individual representatives of the plant world. For example, grains and potatoes are a source of starch, rose hips and bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, cranberries are rich in benzoic acid, Jerusalem artichoke supplies the carbohydrate inulin to our body.
Water and dietary fiber, which are contained in plant foods, help digestion, pectin substances bind and remove toxic substances from the body. In general, plant foods stimulate the secretion of digestive juices.
By the way, nutritionists consider fasting a type of diet. Thanks to fasting, the body is cleansed and gets rid of excess weight. By replacing butter with vegetable oil, hypertensive patients can lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
And yet, in order to avoid vitamin deficiency typical of spring, doctors advise taking vitamins during fasting - regular or with microelements. And before starting the fast, do not be lazy and consult with your doctor.
Rules for leaving office
Fasting is fasting, but we must not forget that after the end of abstinence we are faced with the great test of Easter week, when baked goods, meat delicacies, and sweets in all their forms appear on the table at once. And everything is so delicious, appetizing, it just makes your mouth water!
Wait and don’t rush to indulge in pickles and delicacies. Otherwise, a powerful nutritional blow will fall on the body: after all, your digestive system is already accustomed to working in conditions of maximum economy. Once you start eating away, health problems are guaranteed. It is on Easter days that there is a sharp surge in emergency calls and sick leave registrations.
First of all, don’t get carried away with Easter cakes and eggs. Two eggs, a piece of pastry and some Easter cottage cheese - that's all you can afford to break your fast. Remember: there is a whole week ahead, you will have time to celebrate and enjoy all the joys of life. And it’s better to prolong the pleasure than to try everything at once and then suffer from indigestion and heartburn for a whole week. And this is even at best.
Doctors advise following the following rules:: in the first 2-4 days after fasting, you should not eat chips, crackers, straws, salted and sweet nuts, strong instant coffee and strong black tea, drinks like forfeit and cola, any carbonated drinks containing unnatural ingredients; fatty fish, herring, roach. Refrain from fish, smoked meat in any form, bacon, fatty meat and dairy products (heavy cream, confectionery products with cream or butter cream).
If you still can’t wait to taste the dishes from the festive table, help your digestive system digest the feast with the help of drugs to improve digestion.
Immediately after Maslenitsa, Lent begins. In 2010, the beginning of Lent falls on February 15th. Great Lent is the longest and most strict of all multi-day fasts in Orthodoxy.
Nutrition during Lent
During fasting, in fact, all healthy foods were always allowed and harmful and difficult to digest foods (of animal origin) were always prohibited. If previously only products of animal origin were classified as products that “clog” the body, today the human body is polluted more by all kinds of “super-foods” - products that have undergone deep high-tech processing, often changing not only the structure and composition, but the very natural properties of natural products, and overflowing with “food” chemicals. It is also better to avoid such products during fasting.
During fasting, it is prohibited to eat only animals of animal origin (meat, eggs, dairy products) and high-tech products (refined, high in “food” additives, that is, chemicals).
During fasting you are allowed to eat: products made from unrefined (unrefined) grains, natural vegetables and fruits, unrefined vegetable oils, berries, nuts, dried fruits, herbs, honey, wholemeal bread, fish.
Few people can observe Lent, as this is required by church regulations. Yes, this is not necessary. Strict observance of fasting is the “privilege” of monks and clergy.
The charter prescribes one meal per day after sunset. Vegetable oil can only be consumed on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Also on holidays it is permissible to drink a small amount of wine. In general, Lent, like any other, is a limitation of oneself in one’s own passions, a kind of cleansing of the soul and thoughts.
The topic of today's conversation will be Maslenitsa and Lent in 2019. It’s not without reason that I decided to talk about this, since many residents of our country are interested in when the listed events will take place in 2019.
What date is Maslenitsa in 2019
Maslenitsa dates by year:
Maslenitsa is the oldest holiday among the Slavs. This cheerful celebration managed to pass through the centuries and bring the traditions of ancient culture to the present day. Maslenitsa is included in the list of major church holidays.
Maslenitsa has a different date every year. It depends on the date of Lent, the beginning of which is determined by the date of Easter, which shifts annually. This is an interesting chain.
According to the Orthodox calendar, in 2019 the start date of Maslenitsa falls on March 4. Until the 10th, you can have fun and eat festive treats.
History and symbolism of Maslenitsa
In the week preceding Lent, meat is excluded from the diet, giving preference to dairy products, including butter, sour cream and milk - the main ingredients for making delicious and golden-brown pancakes. The purpose of mass celebrations is to banish winter and awaken spring.
According to historians, in Rus' Maslenitsa had a close connection with the spring solstice. After the arrival of Christianity on Russian soil, this celebration precedes Lent.
With the adoption of Christianity, traditions and laws changed, but Maslenitsa continued to exist. Tsar Alexei tried to calm his subjects, but the royal decrees and instructions of the patriarchs failed to force people to abandon hospitable and riotous fun.
Tsar Peter was a true admirer of various entertainments. On Maslenitsa, he wanted to organize a grand procession in the capital, but a strong snowstorm accompanied by severe frost prevented this.
When Catherine II ascended the throne, on her orders, a large-scale entertainment costume procession was organized during Shrovetide Week. For several days, a masquerade procession moved around the city, representing the vices of people, including embezzlement and red tape of officials.
Over time, the “skating fun” was significantly improved. They began to build wooden slides and beautiful pavilions in large areas. Fun fairs were organized everywhere, where sweets, delicious pies, baked apples, nuts, aromatic tea and browned pancakes were sold.
There was no place for big booths in the villages. On Maslenitsa, local residents took an active part in the capture of the snowy city, which was a large fortress built from snow. My favorite pastime was sledding.
On Maslenitsa, people called on the sun god Yaril, who drove out winter and awakened spring. All week the housewives were preparing golden brown pancakes that strongly resembled warm sunshine. It is not surprising that they still remain the main symbol of the holiday.
Maslenitsa has another symbolism. We are talking about a stuffed animal named Maslena. It was made of straw and dressed in a bright outfit. On the last day of Maslenitsa week, the doll was burned. She personified the cold winter, which fire was used to expel.
Festive menu for Maslenitsa
As part of Maslenitsa week, fish, dairy and mushroom treats were present on the table. Of course, no one ate meat dishes on holidays.
In honor of the holiday, a large pie called kurnik was always prepared. The children were treated to sweet brushwood. At the beginning of the second half of Maslenitsa week, cooks baked larks. These bird-shaped baked goods symbolized the arrival of spring.
Without a doubt, the main festive dish of Maslenitsa was pancakes, for the preparation of which they used flour and various fillings - caviar, mushrooms, cottage cheese, jam.
As for me, Maslenitsa is a cheerful and bright holiday in which every person is obliged to take part. If you haven't done this before, take part in the festivities.
When does Lent begin in 2019?
Dates of Lent by year:
Lent is a comprehensive spiritual practice, accompanied by spiritual and physical restrictions of a person who believes and honors the traditions of religion. In this part of the article you will find out when Lent begins in 2019. If you are a Christian, this will allow you to begin unity with God in a timely manner.
Fasting involves more than just dietary restrictions. This includes a number of additional spiritual practices that are associated with prayer and confrontation with worldly passions.
Lent is considered the strictest fast in the life of an Orthodox person, which precedes the Easter holiday. A month and a half of abstinence from filth, foods and goods is the key to deep cleansing of the body and soul.
Many people perceive fasting as a diet. Of course, five decades of limited nutrition allow you to get rid of fat deposits and ensure normal functioning of the body, but special attention should be paid to cleansing the soul from sins, harmful thoughts and evil.
Throughout life, people experience bad feelings, including resentment and envy. In Orthodoxy, these feelings are sinful. Lent allows believers to eliminate sorrows and illnesses and tune in to the positive, especially if they regularly devote themselves to prayer.
During seven weeks of strict fasting, it is recommended to abstain from animal products and pay attention to food of a spiritual nature. Christians who observe this ritual are not recommended to participate in entertainment events, start a family, or get married during Lent. It is better to postpone even the celebration of a special wedding anniversary or anniversary.
Observing Lent allows you to push aside the unnecessary and understand that there are a lot of equally significant things in the world. It helps you get closer to God.
Nutrition during Lent
If you decide to fast for the first time in 2019, I want to warn you that Lent is a serious test, which, thanks to a combination of dietary restrictions, will allow you to cleanse the body, improve metabolism and blood condition.
Please note that fasting is not a health-improving diet. Spiritual cleansing is important, which involves repentance and doing good deeds.
What not to do during Lent
- Animal products, including fish, milk and meat.
- White bread, sauces and mayonnaise, pastries and sweets. Read more in this article.
What you can do during Lent
- No restrictions on herbal products. This includes dried fruits, herbs, vegetables and fruits.
- It is allowed to eat pickles, including pickled tomatoes and cucumbers, and sauerkraut.
- Mushrooms, nuts, black bread and crackers.
Meals by day of the week
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are characterized by dry eating. It is allowed to eat uncooked food without adding oil. This could be compote, vegetable salad, bread and water.
- On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it is allowed to eat hot dishes without oil, including porridge, vegetable stews and lean soups.
- On weekends, you can use vegetable oil in moderation for food. Detailed menu in this article.
During fasting, you can eat once a day in the evening. This regime is not suitable for every person, so it is allowed to have several meals in small portions.
In conclusion, I will add that people who switch to a fasting diet may experience a feeling of hunger. This feeling is due to a deficiency of vitamins, proteins and amino acids. In this case, brewer's yeast will help. They are rich in protein and vitamins. Please note that they have contraindications; consult your doctor before taking them.
