On Monday, March 7, Orthodox Christians began Great Lent. It will last until Pascha (Orthodox Easter), which this year is celebrated on April 24.

Lent is the central fast in all historical churches. Its purpose is to prepare a Christian for the celebration of Easter. During this part of the liturgical year, the services are marked by prayers of repentance and remembrance of Jesus Christ's death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.

This fast is called "Great", not only because of its duration and severity, but also because of its great importance in the life of an Orthodox Christian. The main tasks during Lent are intensive prayer, repentance of sins, and renunciation of sensual vanity. For the sake of the sorrowful days of Great Lent, for the sake of the days of "contrition and lamentation", the order of church services also changes. The daily celebration of the Divine Liturgy ceases. During Lent, the divine liturgy is only served on Saturdays and Sundays. Throughout Lent, books of the Old Testament are read at morning and evening services.

The first six weeks of Lent are observed in memory of the 40 days which Jesus spent in the desert. The last week is Holy Week, dedicated to memories of the last days of Christ's earthly life.

There are several conceptual ideas about the fast. The first is upholding the right hierarchy in oneself: a person's spirituality should prevail over the flesh. In this case, Lent makes it possible to refute the idea that hunger rules the world.

The second meaning is connected with gratitude. Since a person is not used to sacrificing anything of his own free will, it may appear that he partakes of the world only thanks to his own abilities. But when a person understands that everything belonging to him is given by God, he should give thanks to Him. So, having abstained from food and entertainment, afterwards he accepts them with gratitude.

Also, fasting is a time of self-discovery. Most people, as a rule, do not do this. However, there are situations in life when a person lacks the usual resources, and this experience can help a person to understand who he really is.

Every year the dates of Lent change. This year, Lent begins on March 7 and ends on April 23.

During Lent, Orthodox Christians are allowed to eat pickles and jams made from vegetables and fruits, onions, carrots, cabbage, beets, legumes, apples, oranges, nuts and dried fruits.

Meanwhile, Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, sausages, ham, smoked meats, milk, kefir, yogurt, sour cream, cheeses, cottage cheese, butter, eggs, sweet bread, pastries, and milk chocolate. The church frowns upon culinary delights during this time. Food during the fast should be simple.

The dietary restrictions do not apply to pregnant and lactating women, travelers, or warriors.

The Weeks of Great Lent

Week 1 - The Triumph of Orthodoxy

This week, Orthodox Christians celebrate their victory over iconoclasm. Special reverence is paid to the Empress Theodora of Constantinople, who restored the veneration of icons in the church, after their imperial ban in the 8th century.

Week 2 - St. Gregory Palamas

The Church venerates this saint for his teaching and victory in theological disputes. It was he who best explained the connection between God and the world.

Week 3 - Crucifixion

During this period of Fasting, the Cross is worshipped.

Week 4 – St. John of the Ladder

This saint is presented to all Christians as an example of fasting and the asetic spiritual life.

Week 5 – St. Mary of Egypt

This saint is revered because she was able to repent of a depraved life by intensive fasting.

Week 6 - The entry of the Lord into Jerusalem / The week of the Lord

The name "Palm Sunday" comes from the word for the leaves of a palm tree that covered the path of Christ before entering the city of Jerusalem. In Slavic countries, willow twigs are used as an alternative to palm branches, thus the term "Willow Sunday".

Week 7 - Holy Week

This week commemorates the last days of the earthly life, suffering, death, and burial of Jesus Christ, culminating in His glorious Resurrection at Pascha (Easter).