Fasting is one of the tests of faith in Orthodoxy, a spiritual vow and a rejection of earthly joys. This is purification both carnal and spiritual. Orthodoxy, perhaps, like no other religion in the world, is rich in fasting.
The concept of true fasting
It is a gross and unpleasant misconception to believe that fasting is a simple restriction in food, the rejection of meat or dairy. Not! Fasting is a spiritual achievement, which consists in abstaining from carnal joys, a small part of which is occupied by food.
"Eat meat, but be clean in deeds and thoughts, " said Archimandrite Simeon. The whole essence of fasting is in this phrase: it makes no sense to torture yourself with fast food if foul language, rudeness, callousness and darkness of thoughts are not conquered by man himself. Do not swear, do not please the body, help your neighbor, pray - and now you are fasting, even if you allow you to eat something "forbidden". On fasting days it is forbidden to be baptized and married, entertainments and festivities were also not welcomed, even theaters were closed in Tsarist Russia these days, and the intended balls were postponed to other dates.
Types of Posts
The hardest monastic post, worldly fasts over the centuries have come close to the real possibilities of a sinful and weak person, and therefore they almost abandoned the practice of dry eating or complete worship in the world today.
The rules of the fasts, their types and duration are described in different church books, most of all information in the Nomokanon and Typikon, where each post is given a rationale.
Most of the posts are linked to Orthodox holidays, which make up the annual liturgical circle. The longest and most strict is the Christmas post. It begins on November 28 and ends on January 7. Before him is a one-day post - Autumn Carnivore, which is held on September 14. At the Christmas post - Winter meat-eater, and from March to April - Great Lent. Spring carnivore falls on Easter. From June to July 12, the Peter post is held, and from August 14, the two-week Assumption Post comes.
On Wednesdays, the church holds a weekly fast in memory of Judas's betrayal, and on Fridays a fast in memory of the Savior's earthly sufferings. There are posts that hold during the day, until 16-00, the time when the news came of the death of Christ.
The three festive dates of the Beheading (September 11), the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 27), and the Epiphany Eve (January 18) are also Lenten. However, these days, both monks and laity are allowed to eat vegetable oils.
Orthodoxy also has special posts, they are little known, and confessors rarely insist on their observance. So, it is recommended to hold a weekly fast for those who plan to get married or perform a baptismal rite, and those who are subjected to penance — punishment after confession — also hold fasting.
Children under 7 years of age do not fast at all, and the transition to lean food - they are prescribed by church rules - should be gradual.
Despite the abundance of fasting and their severity, the laity openly recommends to the laity that the food restrictions be observed wisely. Before the beginning of church holidays, fathers talk about how people with diseases, employees who perform especially important work, pregnant women, the elderly and children can be released from abstinence from “fast-food” food.
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