The longest fast for Orthodox people is Great Lent, which lasts forty-eight days or seven weeks. Recently, not quite knowledgeable people use this time to lose weight. Although, in fact, the time of Lent has a very deep meaning, and it is worth understanding this before deciding whether to observe it or not.
It is necessary
- - Bible,
- - lean food.
Instructions
Step 1
Understand that fasting is not just about refusing to eat certain foods. Fasting is a purification and, above all, a spiritual one. But you are unlikely to cleanse yourself of dirty thoughts or sins by denying yourself a cutlet or other forbidden product. First of all, Great Lent is an opportunity to test your spirit, train it. Would you be able to starve if God demanded it? Fasting should not be viewed as a diet, but as an opportunity to prove your love and faith to God.
Step 2
It is not enough to simply limit yourself to food, but continue to lead a not entirely godly life. Great Lent is a time of prayer and turning to God. At this time, you need to pray with special attention and diligence. This is a very good period for repentance. For true believers, the question of fasting or not is not even worth it. Jesus Himself fasted forty days in the wilderness, eating nothing at all. And those who follow his commandments and laws strictly fast to show their admiration for him.
Step 3
Don't let your gluttony show. Sometimes people, not understanding the real meaning of Lent, become angry, irritable or impatient during it, because they do not get the food they are used to. However, the purpose of fasting is to get rid of these qualities. That is why you need to fast only when you understand why you are doing it.
Step 4
One can single out the general rules of Great Lent concerning nutrition. Do not eat fish, eggs, oil, wine, meat, milk. You only need to eat once a day. Oil, wine and two meals are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. The fish can be put on the table on April 7, Annunciation and Palm Sunday. On the eve of Palm Sunday, you can eat fish caviar.
Step 5
Assess your capabilities. The point is, there is no specific dietary plan for everyone. It is necessary to separate a healthy man, a pregnant woman and a child. Fasting too strict for pregnant women and children can harm their health. However, this does not mean that they would be given the opportunity to the body to receive all the necessary nutrients at all. Determine your dietary pattern during Lent. And do not forget to fast not only physically, but also spiritually, since one without the other simply does not make sense.
