Lent is the longest (7 weeks) and strict period of abstinence in the life of an Orthodox Christian. He is called upon to spiritually prepare the believer for the solemn meeting of the main Orthodox triumph - the Holy Resurrection of Christ.
The tradition of fasting in the Lenten period has an ancient history. Already in the first centuries of Christianity, believers abstained from food of animal origin in memory of the forty-day fasting of the Lord Jesus Christ in the desert.
The most severe weeks of Lent are the first, third and passionate weeks.
In the first week of fasting, the charter determines dry eating (eating undigested food without vegetable oil) until Saturday. Only on Saturday and Sunday of the first week is it allowed for the first time to eat boiled food with vegetable oil. Some especially zealous Christians in the first two days of fasting do not eat food at all, consuming only water and bread. However, this is more suitable for the strict monastic practice of worship.
The whole Lent determines dry eating on Wednesdays and Fridays, and on Saturdays and Sundays - food with vegetable oil. The exception is the feast of the forty martyrs of Sebastia (March 22nd) - on this day, eating boiled food with oil is allowed. Fish is used by Lent exclusively on the feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin (April 7th) and the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem (last Sunday before Easter). On Lazarev Saturday (before the Lord’s Entrance to Jerusalem), it is allowed to eat fish roe.
Holy Week prescribes dry eating for the first three days; vegetable oil is allowed on Thursday. Good Friday is the most severe day for an Orthodox person. Many believers do not at all eat food on this day until the holy shroud is taken out to the middle of the temple (afternoon). On Saturday, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
It should be noted that some Orthodox Christians cannot adhere to Lent in all severity. For example, not everyone fasts with dry-eating. For small indulgences in fasting, eating boiled food on Wednesdays and Fridays, for example, it is necessary to take the blessing of the confessor.
If we talk about the most common products used by Lent, it is worth noting the various types of vegetables, mushrooms. Calorie and healthy food is figs, various types of nuts. Some believers try to eat as much fruit as possible during Lent.
Despite the severity of bodily abstinence during the Lenten period, it must be understood that abstinence only from foods of plant origin is called the usual diet. Therefore, an Orthodox person must definitely strive to purify his soul in Great Lent. It is necessary to receive communion more often, to read spiritual literature and Holy Scripture, and to struggle with one's basic passions. At the same time, one must not forget about the Lenten services held in all Orthodox churches.
