49 Days of Great Lent
From March 15, Orthodox Christians around the world will begin Great Lent. It will last until May 1, and on the 2nd, one of the most important holidays will be celebrated — Easter.
The fast lasts for 49 days. During this time, it is completely forbidden to eat animal products (meat, milk, eggs).
The first 41 days symbolize the Savior's journey through the desert, during which he fasted and resisted temptations, while the last week (Passion Week) represents the last seven days of the Savior's life.
The first and last weeks of the fast are considered the strictest. On the first day of the fast, March 15, only water is allowed. On the second day, one may eat a little lean bread and drink water. In the remaining five days of the first week of Great Lent, dry eating is prescribed.
During these days, cold food that has not been thermally processed is allowed: raw vegetables and fruits, pickles and preserves, nuts, and sometimes honey.
An exception is bread: it can be eaten, but it must be lean.
A similar eating schedule will be followed by Orthodox Christians in the last week of the fast. From April 26 to 29, dry eating is recommended. And on Good Friday, the day when Christ was crucified, Orthodox Christians should refrain from food altogether and drink only water.
How to Eat Properly
During most of the fast, certain dietary rules are established. In addition to the standard restrictions on meat and dairy products, there are also restrictions on food by days.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, dry eating is recommended, while on Tuesdays and Thursdays, boiled food without oil is allowed.
On weekends, hot food with the addition of vegetable oil can be eaten. There are also days during the fast when restrictions on oil and animal products do not apply. These are major Orthodox holidays — Annunciation, Lazarus Saturday, and Palm Sunday.
This year, on April 7 and 25, fish can be eaten, and on April 24, fish roe.
At first glance, it may seem that the Orthodox fast is complicated, lengthy, and hungry. In reality, it all depends on your mindset. Believe me, with the right approach, you definitely will not go hungry. There are many recipes for simple and hearty dishes without meat and dairy products.
But remember that the essence of the fast is not just in abstaining from animal products, but in modesty and the absence of gluttony. If you do not eat meat, but your table is overflowing with various expensive delicacies for all 7 weeks, then there will be no benefit from it.
During the fast, it is better to refrain from alcohol.
Most importantly, remember your health. Before starting the fast, it is better to consult a doctor, get tested, to be sure of your health. And of course, you need to eat a variety of foods properly. In the first weeks of the fast, it is sometimes even advised to eat more so that the body receives all the necessary vitamins and gets used to the new diet.
Better Prayer than Abstaining from Meat
Great Lent is not a diet. Yes, a temporary abstinence from meat will be beneficial. But such a detox can be done at any time of the year. However, clergy always emphasize that Great Lent is primarily about the purification of the soul, not a strict diet, as some perceive it.
Those who fast regularly try to spend the first four days in silence at home, attending services in churches.
This not only helps to tune into the right mood but also to endure the first, most strict days of the fast. Not everyone can afford this. Therefore, it is better to prepare yourself in advance for the fact that you will have to give up certain things for a while.
During the fast, it is advisable to refrain from excessive merriment, bad thoughts, and swearing.
Also, find time to go to church, read prayers, talk to a priest, and confess.
Whenever possible, try to do good deeds.
Who Should Not Fast
All the rules of fasting days apply only to healthy adults. The sick, small children, pregnant and nursing women, people whose work involves heavy physical labor, the elderly, prisoners, and travelers should not observe the fast.
All these groups of Orthodox believers can observe the fast, but under more lenient rules.
If a person accidentally breaks the fast on one of the days, they can still continue it. And most importantly, laypeople are not required to observe the same strict fast as clergy do. If you are unsure about which restrictions you can disregard, seek advice from a priest.
How to Properly End the Fast
Several weeks of abstaining from traditional food retrain the body. Therefore, celebrating Easter for those who have fasted often exacerbates gastrointestinal diseases. The reason is an improper exit from the fast.
You should not immediately dive into meat and milk with the first hours of Easter.
The exit from the fast should be gradual, without indulging in fatty and fried foods. This does not mean that on Easter you have to give up your favorite okroshka or kulich. No. But you should eat in small portions, limiting yourself to one boiled egg. In the following days, you should also not drastically change your diet. It should still contain a sufficient amount of fiber. This way, the body will adapt more easily to the new conditions.
Doctors recommend not to indulge in fast food immediately after the fast, and to consume alcohol in small doses. Additionally, in the first days, it is advisable to postpone fried potatoes, noodles, cookies, and even coffee, as the latter significantly retains moisture in the body.
After the fast, it is best to eat fish or chicken.
Beef or pork can only be introduced into the diet after four to five days. If you want to avoid additional health problems, then the transition to traditional unrestricted eating should last three weeks.