There are many holidays in the Zoroastrian calendar. All of them are associated with natural cycles and the movement of the Sun in the zodiacal circle. September 23 marks the day of the autumnal equinox - the Sede holiday, which is preceded by a strict fast.
Zoroastrianism is considered the oldest surviving revelatory religion. It was founded by the prophet Zarathushtra presumably in the 2nd millennium BC. Zoroastrians are also called fire worshipers, because all their rituals are associated with lighting and maintaining the Sacred Fire.
As in other religions, fasting is provided for in Zoroastrianism. The time for them is set in accordance with the calendar-cosmic cycles. Fasting is associated with restriction in food and involves the purification of the spirit, soul and body.
Fasting before the Sede holiday lasts three days - from September 20 to 22. During this period, the Sun is at 28-30 degrees of the constellation Virgo.
During fasting, it is forbidden to eat slaughter or carrion, i.e. all food, the preparation of which requires the killing of living beings (fish, caviar, meat, eggs). At the same time, it is recommended to eat more bread products, drink milk and consume dairy products. They are considered good and promote alchemical processes in the body that help transform a person.
It is believed that not eating meat erects a barrier between the fasting person and the forces of evil.
During the fast before Sede, it is customary to eat various cereals (oat, millet, pea, barley, etc.) with vegetable oil.
And an important difference between this fast and the rest is the prohibition on eating vegetables and fruits with pulp (melons, watermelons, apples and others).
Asceticism - all kinds of spiritual and psychophysical exercises that Zoroastrians practice - promotes fasting. They also help prepare for the Sede festival itself.
Today, many practicing Zoroastrianism, such as the Parsis, do not adhere to the fasting system. They claim that their fasts are doing good deeds, not refusing to eat, forgetting how beneficial fasts are for strengthening the body and spirit.
