New Year 2018 is coming very soon. In April, all Orthodox believers will find a grand event - the celebration of the Holy Resurrection of Christ or Easter. He will be preceded by no less significant - Great Lent.
Lent originates from ancient times. But in its final form, it was enshrined in church rules only in the 4th century AD. Then it was accepted that Lent lasts 40 days. It is preparation for the main holiday of all Christians - Easter. During these seven weeks, a person must undergo a process of spiritual cleansing and deliverance from sins and bad thoughts and impulses. All this is achieved by restricting food intake and spending a lot of time in prayer and humility. In Lent, you need to control your emotions and anger, to give people good and joy.
Observance of Lent requires special training. To go all the way of spiritual purification, a person must understand the essence of this great mystery. First, at this time the spirit rules over the flesh. That is, you must be above your desires and strictly observe all restrictions on food intake. And also to abandon their own weaknesses and cultivate the strength of will in themselves. With special tolerance applies to all people around him and never hold resentment and evil on them. It is important to completely stop taking alcohol and smoking. A person who can understand these basic principles of Lent can easily go all this long way.
Before Great Lent, for four weeks, believers prepare for it. This is the so-called preparatory post. His every week has a certain connection with various events from the Bible. In the first week, believers think about the true and ostentatious things in our lives. Second week about the Prodigal Son. The third week of the Last Judgment is either meatless, and the fourth week is raw or pancake. The whole process of preparing for Lent obliges you to observe the time limits on the intake of certain foods on certain days.
In the final week of the preparatory fast, Maslenitsa is celebrated. Thus, believers set themselves up for a long time of spiritual and food modesty. Mass and loud festivities take place at Shrovetide, accompanied by culinary excesses. On Sunday of Shrovetide, a Forgiveness Day is held. All people apologize to each other for their misconduct. And then from Monday comes the time of Lent.
In 2018, Lent will begin on February 19 and will last until April 7. Not every person can go this way in compliance with all the rules, but this should be sought.
