“By fasting from food, my soul, and not cleansing ourselves from passions, we are in vain consoled by not eating: for if fasting does not bring you correction, then you will be hated by God as false, and you will become like evil demons, we never poison.” (Church song)
IN Orthodox Christianity There is a tradition of abstinence called fasting. Physical fasting without spiritual fasting brings nothing to the salvation of the soul. Therefore, real fasting involves not only limiting the consumption of certain foods and drinks, but also abstaining from entertainment and pleasures for the body, as well as from communication with the world.
It is believed that satiated flesh opens the door to a person’s “unclean” passions, and fasting is a weapon that helps cleanse the soul, realize and express repentance for mistakes and sins committed. In the Russian Orthodox Church, throughout the year there are four multi-day fasts, three one-day fasts, as well as fasting on every Wednesday and Friday, with the exception of a few weeks.
Fasting is not only abstinence in food, but also a certain spiritual attitude
Calendar of fasts and meals for 2016
The article will give rules for observing fasting in full accordance with monastic traditions. Lay people are allowed not to adhere to fasting with all its severity - it is enough to exclude from the diet all food of animal origin - meat, fish (during strict fasting), eggs, all dairy and fermented milk products, as well as baked goods, sweets and alcohol. It would also be good to limit smoking, but this depends on the personal desire of the fasting person.
It is also important to remember that fasting is not a diet, therefore pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents under 14 years of age, adults who engage in heavy physical or intense mental work, as well as people suffering from chronic diseases are exempt from it. gastrointestinal tract, stomach ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, anemia, diabetes and immune system disorders.
Lent (from March 14 to April 30)
- Monday- dry eating;
- Tuesday- hot without oil;
- Wednesday- dry eating;
- Thursday- hot without oil;
- Friday- dry eating;
- Saturday- hot with butter;
- Sunday- hot with butter.
Spring meat eater
- Wednesday- fish;
- Friday- fish.
Petrov fast (from June 27 to July 11)
- Monday- hot without oil;
- Tuesday- fish;
- Wednesday- dry eating;
- Thursday- fish;
- Friday- dry eating;
- Saturday- fish;
- Sunday- fish.
Summer meat eater
- Wednesday- dry eating;
- Friday- dry eating.
Assumption Fast (from August 14 to August 27)
- Monday- dry eating;
- Tuesday- hot without oil;
- Wednesday- dry eating;
- Thursday- hot without oil;
- Friday- dry eating;
- Saturday- hot with butter;
- Sunday- hot with butter.
Autumn meat eater
- Wednesday- dry eating;
- Friday- dry eating.
Nativity Fast (from November 28 to January 6)
November 28 - December 19
- Monday- hot without oil;
- Tuesday- fish;
- Wednesday- dry eating;
- Thursday- fish;
- Friday- dry eating;
- Saturday- fish;
- Sunday- fish.
December 20 - January 1
- Monday- hot without oil;
- Tuesday- hot with butter;
- Wednesday- dry eating;
- Thursday- hot with butter;
- Friday- dry eating;
- Saturday- fish;
- Sunday- fish.
January 2 - January 6
- Monday- dry eating;
- Tuesday- hot without oil;
- Wednesday- dry eating;
- Thursday- hot without oil;
- Friday- dry eating;
- Saturday- hot with butter;
- Sunday- hot with butter.
Winter meat eater
- Wednesday- fish;
- Friday- fish.
There are four multi-day fasts and three one-day fasts in the Orthodox calendar. Lent
This is the longest and strictest fast that should be followed before. Light Christ's Sunday will begin on May 1 in 2016, so Lent will last from March 14 to April 30. According to the rules, it is prohibited to eat food during the first two days. The monks these days only drank water and prayed. Plant foods are the basis of Lent. Here is a list of products allowed for consumption:
- You can eat all vegetables and fruits in boiled, stewed and raw form, as well as dried fruits, pickled, salted and pickled vegetables, mushrooms, nuts, seeds.
- You are allowed to drink teas, herbal infusions, fruit compotes and jelly.
- You should also eat potatoes without oil, porridge with water, black and gray bread, crackers and crackers (unsweetened and savory).
- Fish, seafood, caviar and vegetable oil are allowed only on certain days.
- For sweets, you can eat jam, honey, and fruit.
Fish is allowed in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th week of fasting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On all Sundays, in addition to fish, seafood is also allowed. In addition, fish is eaten on Palm Sunday and the Annunciation. On Lazarus Saturday, on the eve of Palm Sunday, you are allowed to eat caviar. Fish should be consumed boiled, baked or stewed - of course, without creamy, sour cream and milk sauces and gravies.
On Great Good Friday it is customary not to eat anything at all - you just need to drink water and pray. For those who find it difficult to do one fasting day on water, you can eat nuts, dried fruits, raw fruits and vegetables without vegetable oil. On Holy Saturday (before Easter) Lenten boiled food without vegetable oil is allowed. On all other days of fasting, the laity must eat hot first and second courses every day.
Hot food is necessary for the normal functioning of the intestines and peristalsis. We can reassure those who are concerned about the lack of animal protein in their diet - it is successfully replaced by protein from legumes and soy products. And from peas, beans, lentils and soybeans you can cook a lot delicious dishes, replenishing the body's protein needs.
Petrov, or Apostolic Fast
This fast begins a week after and lasts until the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. In 2016 it will be very short, from June 27 to July 11. In addition, this is the easiest and most “delicious” post of the whole year, without strict frameworks and restrictions. Basic rules of nutrition during Petrov fast:
- For the duration of the fast: completely eliminate meat, dairy and fermented milk products, eggs, alcohol and sweets.
- Monday Wednesday Friday:
- Saturday and Sunday, as well as Saints' Days: Boiled, baked or stewed fish is allowed. Also on these days it is allowed to bake fish pies - this is the only baked goods that is approved by the church.
- On all other days of fasting: You can eat fish, mushrooms, cereals and soups seasoned with vegetable oil. In Rus', dishes with greens were especially popular during this Lent - sorrel borscht, green cabbage soup, okroshka with kvass.
Legumes make up for the lack of protein during fasting Dormition post
A month after the Apostolic Fast, the Assumption Fast begins. In 2016 it will last two weeks – from August 14 to 27. It is dedicated to the Mother of God and calls on the laity to imitate her in love for others, holiness and meekness. How to eat during the Assumption Fast:
- Monday Wednesday Friday: lean plant food(raw, boiled, stewed) without vegetable oil. For those who can, it is better to stick to dry eating these days, that is, eat only raw vegetables and fruits, and also drink water.
- Tuesday Thursday: lean hot food of plant origin without oil (porridge, soups, borscht).
- Saturday and Sunday: lean hot food of plant origin with vegetable oil.
- On the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord(August 19) - you can eat fish. You are also allowed to have a fishing day in Assumption Holy Mother of God, if it falls on Wednesday or Friday.
Christmas post
It begins in the fall, 40 days before the Nativity of Christ. You will have to fast from November 28, 2015 to January 6, 2016. The fasting for fasting begins on the day of remembrance of the Holy Apostle Philip, which is why the Nativity Fast is often called Philippov. Rules for abstaining from food during the Filippov fast until the feast of St. Nicholas (December 19):
- Eliminate completely: meat, dairy and fermented milk products, eggs, alcohol and sweets.
- Monday Wednesday Friday: lean plant foods (raw, boiled, stewed) without vegetable oil. In the evening, you can only eat raw vegetables and fruits, and also drink water.
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: lean foods of plant origin with vegetable oil.
- Fish is allowed in: Saturday, Sunday and during the big church holidays- for example, on the feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, as well as on the days of great saints, if they fall on Tuesday or Thursday. If the holiday falls on Wednesday or Friday, then wine and vegetable oil are allowed, but fish is prohibited.
- On the eve of Christmas(from January 2 to January 5) you cannot eat fish on all days. On Saturday and Sunday, food with oil is allowed.
- On Christmas Eve(January 6) you cannot eat anything until the first star - you should only drink water and pray. And the Christmas meal should begin with kutia (sochiva), washed down with uzvar (dried fruit compote).
Porridge with butter is allowed only on some days of fasting! One-day posts
One-day fasts require strict fasting unless they fall on Wednesday and Friday. Fish is prohibited, but lean foods with vegetable oil are allowed.
- Epiphany Christmas Eve (January 18). This is fasting on the eve of the Epiphany. On this day, Christians prepare for cleansing and sanctification with holy water.
- Beheading John the Baptist(11 September). This is the day of remembrance and death of the great Prophet John.
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 27). This is a day of remembrance of the suffering of Christ on the cross for the salvation of the human race. It is spent in prayer, fasting and repentance.
Fasting on Wednesday and Friday
You should fast on Wednesdays and Fridays every week. Wednesday is the day when Judas betrayed the Teacher, Jesus Christ. And Friday is the day of remembrance of the sufferings on the cross and the death of Jesus Christ. The Church prohibits the consumption of any meat and dairy foods, eggs, baked goods and alcohol on Wednesday and Friday, and on the week of All Saints, before the Nativity of Christ, one must also abstain from fish and vegetable oil.
If Wednesday and Friday fall on the days of the celebrated Saints, then you can eat vegetable oil, and if Wednesday and Friday fall on major church holidays - for example, Intercession - then you are allowed to eat fish.
Fasting is not just a restriction on culinary delights, it is a complex spiritual practice that is harmoniously combined with reading religious traditions and spiritual restrictions. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the calendar of posts that will take place in 2016. Believers must understand that fasting in 2016 is about prayer and the fight against worldly passions, which should be abandoned on these holy days.
Lent in 2016
Lent is a time when Jesus Christ fasted for forty days while he was in the desert. Fasting is preparation for the most important holiday dedicated to the resurrection of Christ - Easter.
Orthodox Lent in 2016 will fall on the dates from March 14 to April 30, and is divided into 7 weeks. First and last week involves strict restrictions on food and rejection of worldly temptations. Such restrictions are due to the fact that on the first and last days of fasting, believers completely refuse food, for the glory of Christ, and can only consume water. On the second day of the week you can eat bread. Food is eaten only raw and without the addition of vegetable and animal fat.
- Monday: raw food and water;
- Tuesday: boiled vegetables, porridge without oil;
- Wednesday: raw food and water;
- Thursday: porridge with water and raw vegetables;
- Friday: raw food and water;
- Saturday: boiled vegetables and porridge with butter, a little wine;
- Sunday: menu same as Saturday.
Peter's Fast (Apostolic Fast)
The beginning of the Week of All Saints is the Fast of the Holy Apostles, which precedes the Feast of Peter and Paul. This is a summer fast and its date depends on the date of Easter. Petrov's fast always begins on Monday and ends on July 12th. The longest fast lasts 6 weeks, the shortest – 1 week and 1 day.
Fasting was established in honor of the Holy Apostles, who, through their fervent prayer and food restrictions, prepared for the worldwide preaching of the Word of God and prepared successors in the work of saving service.
On Wednesday and Friday of Lent, only dry eating is allowed. On Monday you can eat boiled food, but without dressing. On other days, you can eat porridge without oil, mushrooms, and lean fish.
Dormition post
The Dormition Fast is the ascetic preparation of the believer for the celebration of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many Orthodox fasts in 2016 have floating dates that depend on other holidays.
In terms of the severity of its implementation, this post is not inferior to the Great. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, eat only raw food and drink water. On Tuesday and Thursday they eat boiled vegetables and porridge, but without oil. You can eat food with butter and drink church wine only on Saturday and Sunday. On the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which will be August 19, you can eat mushrooms and fish.
The Christmas church fast in 2016 is a preparation for the very blessed holiday- To the Nativity of Christ. Winter fasting begins on November 28 and ends on January 6. The Nativity Fast is also called Philippov, since it begins after the memory of the Apostle Philip.
The regulations regarding the severity of food coincide exactly with the Apostolic Fast. If Orthodox holiday falls on Wednesday or Friday, then it is allowed to eat fish on this day. From December 19, it is allowed to eat fish on Saturdays and Sundays, eat boiled cereals with butter and drink a little church wine.
On Christmas Eve, it is forbidden to eat food during the day and you can only eat something soggy - boiled rice with raisins or wheat boiled in honey.
Throughout the year there are one-day fasts observed by Orthodox believers:
- On Wednesday and Friday you should abstain from meat, fatty and dairy foods. Alcohol is prohibited.
- Epiphany Christmas Eve - January 18.
- The beheading of John the Baptist - September 11. On this day, believers observe fasting in memory of the death of the prophet John.
- The Exaltation of Christ the Lord - observed on this day the strictest fast, which falls on September 27th. All day long, believers pray and confess their sins.
Weeks
Week is the Church Slavonic name for the week. Continuous weeks are established as some relief before a multi-day fast:
- Christmas time starts on January 7 and ends on January 18, 2016.
- The Publican and the Pharisee begins two weeks before Lent, on February 22 and ends on February 28, 2016.
- Cheese Week or Maslenitsa begins before Lent. You can eat everything except meat. In 2016, it starts on March 7 and ends on March 13.
- Easter week begins after Easter, on May 2 and lasts until May 8.
- Trinity Week begins immediately after Trinity, on June 20 and ends on June 26.
Fasting in 2016 involves observing strictness on Wednesdays and Fridays. On Wednesday, believers fast in memory of the tragedy of Judas' betrayal. On Friday, fasting is observed in memory of the suffering of Christ and his death.
Fasting is a complex spiritual practice associated with the physical and spiritual limitations of a person who believes and venerates religious traditions. This publication will present full calendar Orthodox posts in 2016 to facilitate the quest of a Christian and give him a reliable tool for unity with God. It is important to consider that fasting is not only restrictions on eating, but additional spiritual practices associated with prayer and the fight against worldly passions.
Fasting and nutrition calendar 2016 Lent in 2016
Lent in 2016 falls on the following time period: the beginning of Lent is March 14, the end of Lent is April 30. This time of asceticism is divided into seven weeks. Moreover, the first and last assume the most stringent restrictions on food intake. This is due to the fact that on the first day of the first week of fasting and on the fifth day of the last week, Orthodox Christians completely refuse food. The second day of the first week involves eating only bread and water, and the first three days of Holy Week eat raw food and without oil. In general, the rules for eating are distributed by day of the week, which will be presented below.
- Monday. Food is consumed raw and without added oil.
- Tuesday. You can eat boiled foods, but without adding oil.
- Wednesday. The rules for Monday are repeated.
- Thursday. The rules for Tuesday are repeated.
- Friday. See point 3.
- Saturday. It is allowed to eat boiled food with added oil and drink wine.
- Sunday. The rules for Saturday are repeated.
Petrov fast in 2016
This fast was proclaimed in memory of the ascetic preparation of Saints Paul and Peter for preaching the Gospel. Petrov's fast is not strict and involves simple abstinence from eating dairy and meat products. It becomes stricter only on Fridays and Wednesdays, when Orthodox tradition allows the consumption of boiled fish. Petrov's fast in 2016 falls on the following period: June 27 – July 11. 
Dormition Fast in 2016
This fast is the ascetic preparation of a Christian for the celebration of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. If you are wondering when the Assumption Fast will take place in 2016, then it falls on: August 14 – August 27. This fast is not inferior to the Great Fast in terms of the severity of abstinence: Monday, Wednesday, Friday suggest dry eating; Tuesday and Thursday it is allowed to eat boiled food, but adding oil is prohibited. Eating wine and oil (vegetable) is only possible on Sunday and Saturday. On the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Orthodox tradition allows the consumption of fish.
Christmas fast in 2016
This post is dedicated to the Nativity of Christ and falls on November 28 – January 6. This fast is also sometimes called Philippov, since November 27 is dedicated to the memory of St. Philip. It is worth noting that the start date of the Nativity Fast may vary if November 27 falls on a Friday or Wednesday (that is, one-day fasts). This is the case this year too. In this regard, the final fasting times are as follows: November 28, 2016 – January 6, 2017. The instructions for prohibitions on eating food are identical to the Dormition Fast. In addition, on December 4, the consumption of fish and wine is allowed.
One-day posts in 2016
- Posts every Wednesday and Friday. It is most important to abstain from dairy and meat products.
- Epiphany Christmas Eve falls on January 18, 2016.
- The Exaltation of the Holy Cross falls on September 27, 2016.
- The Day of the Prophet Elijah falls on August 2, 2016.
Thus, above is a complete calendar of Orthodox fasts for 2016.
Orthodox fasts and their meaning for Christians
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Fish, hot food with vegetable oil Hot food with vegetable oil Hot food without vegetable oil Cold food without vegetable oil, unheated drinks Abstinence from food Big holidays |
Great Church holidays in 2016
Lent
(in 2016, according to the calendar, it falls on March 14 - April 30)
Lent is designated for the repentance and humility of Christians before the holiday of Easter, on which the Holy Resurrection of Christ from the dead is celebrated. This is the most significant of all Christian holidays in the Orthodox calendar.
The start and end times of Lent depend on the date of Easter, which does not have a fixed calendar date. The duration of Lent is 7 weeks. It consists of 2 fasts - Lent and Holy Week.
Lent lasts 40 days in memory of the forty-day fast of Jesus Christ in the desert. Thus, the fast is called Lent. The last seventh week of Lent - Holy Week determined in memory of the last days of earthly life, suffering and death of Christ.
During the entire Lent calendar, including weekends, it is prohibited to consume meat, milk, cheese and eggs. Fasting must be observed with particular strictness in the first and last weeks. On the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, April 7, it is allowed to relax the fast and add vegetable oil and fish to the diet. In addition to abstaining from food during Lent, one must diligently pray that the Lord God will grant repentance, regret for sins and love for the Almighty.
Apostolic Fast - Petrov Fast
(According to the calendar in 2016 it falls on June 27 - July 11)
This post does not have a specific date on the calendar. The apostolic fast is dedicated to the memory of the apostles Peter and Paul. Its beginning depends on the day of Easter and the Holy Trinity, which falls on the current calendar year. Lent begins exactly seven days after the feast of Trinity, which is also called Pentecost, because it is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. The week before Lent is called All Saints' Week.
The duration of the Apostolic Fast can be from 8 days to 6 weeks (depending on the day of Easter celebration). The Apostolic Fast ends on July 12, the day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This is where the post got its name. It is also called the Fast of the Holy Apostles or the Fast of Peter.
The apostolic fast is not very strict. On Wednesday and Friday, dry eating is allowed, on Monday the consumption of hot food without oil is allowed, on Tuesday and Thursday mushrooms, vegetable foods with vegetable oil and a little wine are allowed, and on Saturday and Sunday fish is also allowed.
Fish is still allowed on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, if these days fall on a holiday with great praise. It is permissible to eat fish on Wednesday and Friday only when these days fall on a vigil holiday or a temple festival.
Dormition post
(in 2016 falls on August 14 - August 27)
The Dormition Fast begins exactly one month after the end of the Apostolic Fast on August 14 and lasts 2 weeks, until August 27. This post prepares for the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on Orthodox calendar August 28. Through the Dormition Fast we follow the example of the Mother of God, who was constantly in fasting and prayer.
According to the severity, the Assumption Fast is close to Great Lent. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday there is dry food, Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, on Saturday and Sunday vegetable food with vegetable oil is allowed. On the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), it is allowed to consume fish, as well as oil and wine.
On the day of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28), if the devil falls on Wednesday or Friday, only fish is allowed. Meat, milk and eggs are prohibited. On other days, fasting is canceled.
There is also a rule not to eat fruit until August 19th. As a result, the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord is also called the Apple Savior, because at this time garden fruits (in particular, apples) are brought to the church, blessed and given away.
Christmas post
(from November 28 to January 6)
The Advent calendar lasts every year from November 28 to January 6. If the first day of fasting falls on Sunday, the fast is softened, but not canceled. The Nativity Fast precedes the Nativity of Christ, January 7 (December 25, old style calendar), on which the birth of the Savior is celebrated. Fasting begins 40 days before the celebration and is therefore also called Lent. People call the Nativity Fast Filippov, because it begins immediately after the day of remembrance of the Apostle Philip - November 27. Conventionally, the Nativity Fast shows the state of the world before the coming of the Savior. By abstinence in food, Christians express respect for the holiday of the Birth of Christ. In accordance with the rules of abstinence, the Nativity Fast is similar to the Apostolic Fast until the day of St. Nicholas - December 19. From December 20 until Christmas, fasting is observed with particular strictness.
According to the charter, it is allowed to eat fish on the feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the week before December 20.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of the Nativity Fast, dry eating is accepted.
If there is a temple holiday or vigil on these days, it is allowed to eat fish; If the day of a great saint falls, the consumption of wine and vegetable oil is allowed.
After St. Nicholas Memorial Day and before Christmas, fish is allowed on Saturday and Sunday. You cannot eat fish on the eve of the holiday. If these days fall on Saturday or Sunday, meals with butter are allowed.
On Christmas Eve, January 6, on the eve of Christmas, food is not allowed until the appearance of the first star. This rule adopted in memory of the star that shone at the moment of the birth of the Savior. After the appearance of the first star (it is customary to eat sochivo - wheat seeds boiled in honey or dried fruits softened in water, and kutya - boiled cereal with raisins. The Christmas period lasts from January 7 to January 13. From the morning of January 7, all food restrictions are lifted. Fasting is canceled for 11 days.
One-day posts
There are many one-day posts. According to the strictness of observance, they vary and are in no way associated with a specific date. The most common of them are posts on Wednesdays and Fridays of any week. Also, the most famous one-day fasts are on the day of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, on the day before the Baptism of the Lord, on the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist.
There are also one-day fasts associated with the dates of commemoration of famous saints.
These fasts are not considered strict if they do not fall on Wednesday and Friday. During these one-day fasts, it is prohibited to eat fish, but food with vegetable oil is acceptable.
Individual fasts can be taken in the event of some kind of misfortune or social misfortune - an epidemic, war, terrorist attack, etc. One-day fasts precede the sacrament of communion.
Posts on Wednesday and Friday
On Wednesday, according to the Gospel, Judas betrayed Jesus Christ, and on Friday Jesus suffered on the cross and died. In memory of these events, Orthodoxy has adopted fasts on Wednesday and Friday of each week. Exceptions occur only in continuous weeks or weeks, during which there are no existing restrictions for these days. Such weeks are considered to be Christmastide (January 7–18), Publican and Pharisee, Cheese, Easter and Trinity (the first week after Trinity).
On Wednesday and Friday it is forbidden to eat meat, dairy foods, and eggs. Some of the most pious Christians do not allow themselves to consume, including fish and vegetable oil, that is, they observe dry eating.
Relaxation of fasting on Wednesday and Friday is possible only if this day coincides with the feast of a particularly revered saint, to whose memory a special church service is dedicated.
In the period between All Saints' Week and before the Nativity of Christ, it is necessary to give up fish and vegetable oil. If Wednesday or Friday coincides with the feast of the saints, then it is allowed to use vegetable oil.
On major holidays, such as Intercession, it is allowed to eat fish.
On the eve of the feast of the Epiphany
According to the calendar, Epiphany falls on January 18th. According to the Gospel, Christ was baptized in the Jordan River, at that moment the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. John was a witness that Christ is the Savior, that is, Jesus is the Messiah of the Lord. During baptism, he heard the voice of the Most High, proclaiming: “This is My beloved Son, with Him I am well pleased.”
Before the Epiphany of the Lord, a vigil is celebrated in churches, at which point the ceremony of consecrating holy water takes place. In connection with this holiday, fasting has been adopted. At the time of this abstinence, food intake is allowed once a day and only juice and kutya with honey. Therefore, among Orthodox believers, the eve of Epiphany is usually called Christmas Eve. If the evening meal falls on Saturday or Sunday, the fast on that day is not canceled, but is relaxed. In this case, you can eat food twice a day - after the liturgy and after the rite of blessing of water.
Fasting on the Day of the Beheading of John the Baptist
The day of the Beheading of John the Baptist is commemorated on September 11. It was introduced in memory of the death of the prophet - John the Baptist, who was the Forerunner of the Messiah. According to the Gospel, John was thrown into prison by Herod Antipas because of his exposure in connection with Herodias, the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother.
During the celebration of his birthday, the King organized a holiday, the daughter of Herodias, Salome, presented a skillful dance to Herod. He was delighted with the beauty of the dance, and promised the girl everything she wanted for it. Herodias persuaded her daughter to beg for the head of John the Baptist. Herod fulfilled the girl’s wish by sending a warrior to the prisoner to bring him John’s head.
In memory of John the Baptist and his godly life, during which he continuously fasted, fasting was defined in the Orthodox calendar. On this day it is forbidden to consume meat, dairy, eggs and fish. Vegetable foods and vegetable oil are acceptable.
Fasting on the Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This holiday falls on September 27th. This day was established in memory of the discovery of the Lord's Cross. This happened in the 4th century. According to legend, the emperor of the Byzantine Empire, Constantine the Great, won many victories thanks to the Cross of the Lord and therefore revered this symbol. Showing gratitude to the Almighty for the consent of the church at the First Ecumenical Council, he decided to erect a temple on Calvary. Helen, the emperor's mother, went to Jerusalem in 326 to find the Cross of the Lord.
According to the then custom, crosses, as instruments of execution, were buried next to the place of execution. Three crosses were found on Calvary. It was impossible to understand which one was Christ, since the bar with the inscription “Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews” was discovered separately from all the crosses. Subsequently, the Cross of the Lord was installed according to its power, which was expressed in the healing of the sick and the resurrection of a person through touching this cross. Glory about amazing wonders The Cross of the Lord attracted a lot of people, and because of the crowds, many did not have the opportunity to see and bow to it. Then Patriarch Macarius raised the cross, showing it to everyone around him in the distance. Thus, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross appeared on the calendar.
The holiday was adopted on the day of the consecration of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, September 26, 335, and began to be celebrated the next day, September 27. In 614, the Persian king Khozroes took possession of Jerusalem and took out the Cross. In 328, Chozroes' heir, Syroes, returned the stolen Cross of the Lord to Jerusalem. This happened on September 27, so this day is considered a double holiday - the Exaltation and the Finding of the Cross of the Lord. On this day it is forbidden to eat cheese, eggs and fish. In this way, Christian believers express their reverence for the Cross.
Bright Resurrection of Christ - Easter
(in 2016 falls on May 1)
The most important Christian holiday in the Orthodox calendar is Easter - Bright Resurrection Christ from the dead. Easter is considered the main one between the transitory twelve holidays, since the Easter story contains everything on which Christian knowledge is based. For all Christians, the Resurrection of Christ means salvation and trampling on death.
The suffering of Christ, the torment of the cross and death, washed away original sin, and therefore, gave salvation to humanity. That is why Christians call Easter the Solemnity of Solemnities and the Feast of Feasts.
The Christian holiday is based on the following story. On the first day of the week, the myrrh-bearing women came to the tomb of Christ to anoint the body with incense. However, the large block that blocked the entrance to the tomb was moved, and an angel sat on the stone, who told the women that the Savior had risen. Some time later, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and sent her to the apostles to inform them that the prophecy had come true.
She ran to the apostles and told them the good news and told them the message of Christ that they would meet in Galilee. Before His death, Jesus told the disciples about future events, but Mary's news plunged them into confusion. Faith in the Kingdom of Heaven, promised by Jesus, came to life again in their hearts. However, not everyone was happy about the Resurrection of Jesus: the high priests and Pharisees started rumors about the disappearance of the body.
However, despite the lies and painful trials that fell on the first Christians, the New Testament Easter became the foundation of the Christian faith. The blood of Christ atoned for the sins of people and opened the way to salvation for them. From the first days of Christianity, the apostles established the celebration of Easter, which was preceded by Holy Week in memory of the suffering of the Savior. Today they are preceded by Lent, which lasts forty days.
For a long time, discussions continued about the true date of the celebration of the memory of the events described, until at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (325) they agreed to celebrate Easter on the 1st Sunday following the first spring full moon and spring equinox. In various years, Easter can be celebrated from March 21 to April 24 (old style).
On the eve of Easter, the service begins at eleven o'clock in the evening. First, the Midnight Office of Holy Saturday is served, then the bell sounds and a procession of the cross takes place, which is led by clergy; believers leave the church with lighted candles, and the bell is replaced by the festive ringing of bells. When the procession returns to closed doors churches, which symbolize the tomb of Christ, the ringing is interrupted. The holiday prayer sounds and the church door opens. At this time, the priest exclaims: “Christ is Risen!”, and the believers together answer: “Truly He is Risen!” This is how Easter Matins begins.
In the moment Easter liturgy as usual they read the Gospel of John. At the end of the Easter liturgy, artos - large prosphora similar to Easter cakes - are blessed. During Easter week artos is located close to the royal doors. After the liturgy, on the following Saturday, a special rite of breaking the artos is served, and pieces of it are distributed to the believers.
At the end of the Easter liturgy, the fast ends and Orthodox Christians can treat themselves to a piece of blessed Easter cake, a colored egg, a meat pie, etc. During the first week of Easter ( Bright Week) is supposed to give food to the hungry and help the needy. Christians go to visit their relatives and exchange exclamations: “Christ is risen!” - “Truly he is risen!” On Easter, people are supposed to give colored eggs. This tradition was adopted in memory of the visit of Mary Magdalene to the Emperor of Rome Tiberius. According to legend, Mary was the first to tell Tiberius the news of the Resurrection of the Savior and brought him an egg as a gift - as a symbol of life. But Tiberius did not believe the news of the Resurrection and said that he would believe it if the egg he brought turned red. And at that moment the egg turned red. In memory of what happened, believers began to paint eggs, which became a symbol of Easter.
Palm Sunday. Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.
(in 2016 falls on April 24)
The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, or simply Palm Sunday, is one of the most key twelve holidays celebrated by the Orthodox. The first mentions of this holiday are found in manuscripts of the 3rd century. This event has great importance for Christians, since the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, whose authorities were hostile to Him, means that Christ voluntarily accepted the suffering of the cross. The entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is described by all four evangelists, which also testifies to the significance of this day.
The date of Palm Sunday depends on the date of Easter: The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is celebrated a week before Easter. In order to confirm the people in the belief that Jesus Christ is the Messiah predicted by the prophets, a week before the Resurrection, the Savior and the apostles went to the city. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus sent John and Peter to a village, indicating the place where they would find the colt. The apostles brought a colt to the Teacher, on which He sat and went to Jerusalem.
At the entrance to the city, some people laid out their own clothes, the rest accompanied Him with cut palm branches, and greeted the Savior with the words: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” because they believed that Jesus was the Messiah and King of the people of Israel.
When Jesus entered the Jerusalem temple, he drove out the merchants with the words: “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). People listened with admiration to the teachings of Christ. The sick began to come to Him, He healed them, and at that moment the children sang His praises. Then Christ left the temple and went with his disciples to Bethany.
In ancient times, it was customary to greet winners with fronds, or palm branches; this is where another name for the holiday came from: Vaiya Week. In Russia, where palm trees do not grow, the holiday received its third name - Palm Sunday - in honor of the only plant that blooms during this harsh time. Palm Sunday ends Lent and begins Holy Week.
Concerning festive table, then on Palm Sunday fish and vegetable dishes with vegetable oil are allowed. And the day before, on Lazarus Saturday, after Vespers, you can taste a little fish roe.
Ascension of the Lord
(in 2016 falls on June 9)
The Ascension of the Lord is celebrated according to the calendar on the fortieth day after Easter. Traditionally, this holiday falls on Thursday of the sixth week of Easter. The events associated with the Ascension signify the end of the Savior’s earthly sojourn and the beginning of His life in the bosom of the Church. After the Resurrection, the Teacher came to his disciples for forty days, teaching them the true faith and the way of salvation. The Savior instructed the apostles what to do after His Ascension.
Then Christ promised the disciples to release the Holy Spirit on them, which they should wait for in Jerusalem. Christ said: “And I will send the promise of My Father upon you; But you remain in the city of Jerusalem until you are endowed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Then, together with the apostles, they went outside the city, where He blessed the disciples and began to ascend into heaven. The apostles bowed to Him and returned to Jerusalem.
As for fasting, on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord it is allowed to eat any food, both fasting and fasting.
Trinity Day - Pentecost
(in 2016 falls on June 19)
On the Day of the Holy Trinity, we commemorate the story that tells about the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Christ. The Holy Spirit appeared to the Apostles of the Savior in the form of tongues of flame on the day of Pentecost, that is, on the fiftieth day after Easter, hence the name of this holiday. Second, most famous name day is timed to coincide with the acquisition by the apostles of the third hypostasis of the Holy Trinity - the Holy Spirit, after which the Christian concept of the Triune Godhead received a perfect interpretation.
On the day of the Holy Trinity, the apostles intended to meet in their home in order to pray together. Suddenly they heard a roar, and then tongues of fire began to appear in the air, which, dividing, descended on Christ’s disciples.
After the flame descended on the apostles, the prophecy “...were filled... with the Holy Spirit...” (Acts 2:4) came true and they offered a prayer. With the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ's disciples acquired the gift of speaking different languages in order to carry the Word of the Lord throughout the world.
The noise coming from the house attracted a large crowd of curious people. The assembled people were amazed that the apostles could speak different languages. Among the people there were people from other nations, they heard the apostles offering prayer to their native language. Most people were surprised and filled with awe, at the same time, among those gathered there were also people who were skeptical about what had happened, “they got drunk on sweet wine” (Acts 2:13).
On this day, the Apostle Peter preached his first sermon, which said that the event that happened on this day was predicted by the prophets and marks the last mission of the Savior in earthly world. The Apostle Peter's sermon was short and simple, but the Holy Spirit spoke through him, and his speech reached the souls of many people. At the end of Peter's speech, many accepted the faith and were baptized. “So those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added” (Acts 2:41). Since ancient times, Trinity Day has been revered as a birthday. Christian Church created by Sacred grace.
On Trinity Day, it is customary to decorate houses and churches with flowers and grass. Regarding the festive table, on this day it is allowed to eat any food. There is no fasting on this day.
Twelfth Enduring Holidays
(have a constant date in the Orthodox calendar)
Christmas (January 7)
According to legend, the Lord God promised sinner Adam the coming of the Savior back in paradise. Many prophets foreshadowed the coming of the Savior - Christ, in particular the prophet Isaiah, prophesied about the birth of the Messiah to the Jews who had forgotten the Lord and worshiped pagan idols. Shortly before the birth of Jesus, the ruler Herod proclaimed a decree on a population census, for this the Jews had to appear in the cities in which they were born. Joseph and the Virgin Mary also went to the cities where they were born.
They did not get to Bethlehem quickly: the Virgin Mary was pregnant, and when they arrived in the city, it was time to give birth. But in Bethlehem, due to the crowd of people, all the places were occupied, and Joseph and Mary had to stay in a stable. At night, Mary gave birth to a boy, named Him Jesus, swaddled him and put him in a manger - a feeding trough for livestock. Not far from their overnight stay, there were shepherds grazing cattle, an angel appeared to them, who told them: ... I bring you great joy that will be to all people: for today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord; and here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12). When the angel disappeared, the shepherds went to Bethlehem, where they found Holy family, bowed to Jesus, and told about the appearance of the angel and his sign, after which they went back to their flocks.
In these same days, the wise men came to Jerusalem and asked people about the one who had been born. king of the Jews, as a new one shone in the skies bright Star. Having learned about the Magi, King Herod called them to him in order to find out the place where the Messiah was born. He ordered the wise men to find out the place where the new king of the Jews was born.
The Magi followed the star, which led them to the stable where the Savior was born. Entering the stable, the wise men bowed to Jesus and presented him with gifts: incense, gold and myrrh. “And having received a revelation in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another route” (Matthew 2:12). That same night, Joseph received a sign: an angel appeared in his dream and said: “Get up, take the Child and His Mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod wants to look for the Child in order to destroy Him” (Matt. 2, 13). Joseph, Mary and Jesus went to Egypt, where they stayed until the death of Herod.
For the first time, the holiday of the Nativity of Christ began to be celebrated in the 4th century in Constantinople. The holiday is preceded by a forty-day fast and Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, it is customary to drink only water, and when the first star appears in the sky, they break their fast with sochi - boiled wheat or rice with honey and dried fruits. After Christmas and before Epiphany, Christmastide is celebrated, during which all fasts are canceled.
Epiphany - Epiphany (January 19)
Christ began serving people at the age of thirty. John the Baptist was supposed to anticipate the coming of the Messiah, who prophesied the coming of the Messiah and baptized people in the Jordan for the cleansing of sins. When the Savior appeared to John for baptism, John recognized the Messiah in Him and told Him that he himself must be baptized by the Savior. But Christ answered: “...leave it now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15), that is, to fulfill what the prophets said.
Christians call the feast of the Baptism of the Lord the Epiphany; at the baptism of Christ, three hypostases of the Trinity appeared to people for the first time: the Lord Son, Jesus himself, the Holy Spirit, who descended in the form of a dove on Christ, and the Lord Father, who said: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” "(Matthew 3:17).
The first to celebrate the feast of Epiphany were the disciples of Christ, as evidenced by the set of apostolic rules. One day before holiday Epiphany begins on Christmas Eve. On this day, as on Christmas Eve, Orthodox Christians eat juices, and only after the blessing of water. Epiphany water It is considered healing, it is sprinkled at home, it is drunk on an empty stomach for various diseases.
On the feast of Epiphany itself, the rite of the great hagiasma is also served. On this day, the tradition of making a religious procession to reservoirs with the Gospel, banners and lamps has been preserved. Procession accompanied by the ringing of bells and the singing of the troparion of the holiday.
Presentation of the Lord (February 15)
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord describes the events that happened in the Jerusalem Temple during the meeting of the Infant Jesus with the elder Simeon. According to the law, on the fortieth day after her birth, the Virgin Mary brought Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem. According to legend, Elder Simeon lived at the temple where he translated Holy Bible on Greek language. In one of the prophecies of Isaiah, which describes the coming of the Savior, in the place where His birth is described, it is said that the Messiah will be born not from a woman, but from a Virgin. The elder suggested that there was an error in the original text, at that same moment an angel appeared to him and said that Simeon would not die until he saw the Blessed Virgin and Her Son with his own eyes.
When the Virgin Mary entered the temple with Jesus in her arms, Simeon immediately saw Them and recognized the Messiah in the Baby. He took Him in his arms and uttered the following words: “Now You are releasing Your servant, O Master, according to Your word in peace, because My eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light for the revelation of tongues and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2, 29). From now on, the old man could die peacefully, because he had just seen with his own eyes both the Virgin Mother and Her Son-Savior.
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (April 7)
Since ancient times, the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary has been called both the Beginning of Redemption and the Conception of Christ. This lasted for the 7th century until it acquired the name it currently has. In terms of its significance for Christians, the Feast of the Annunciation is comparable only to the Nativity of Christ. That is why there is a proverb among people to this day that on a given day “the bird does not build a nest, the maiden does not braid her hair.”
The history of the holiday is as follows. When the Virgin Mary reached the age of fifteen, She had to leave the walls of the Jerusalem Temple: in accordance with the laws that existed in those times, only men had the opportunity to serve the Almighty throughout their lives. However, by this time Mary's parents had already died, and the priests decided to betroth Mary to Joseph of Nazareth.
One day an angel appeared to the Virgin Mary, who was the Archangel Gabriel. He greeted Her with the following words: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” Mary was confused because she did not know what the angel's words meant. The Archangel explained to Mary that She was the chosen one of the Lord for the birth of the Savior, about whom the prophets spoke: “... and you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you will call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:31-33).
Having heard the revelation of the Archangel Gavria, the Virgin Mary asked: “... how will this happen if I don’t know my husband?” (Luke 1:34), to which the archangel replied that the Holy Spirit would descend on the Virgin, therefore the Child born from her would be holy. And Mary humbly answered: “...behold the handmaid of the Lord; Let it be done to me according to Your word” (Luke 1:37).
Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19)
The Savior often told the apostles that in order to save people, He would have to endure suffering and death. And in order to strengthen the faith of the disciples, he showed them His Divine glory, which awaits Him and the other righteous of Christ at the end of their earthly existence.
One day Christ took three disciples - Peter, James and John - to Mount Tabor to pray to the Almighty. But the apostles, tired during the day, fell asleep, and when they woke up, they saw how the Savior had been transformed: His clothes were snow-white, and His face shone like the sun.
Next to the Teacher were the prophets Moses and Elijah, with whom Christ spoke about his own sufferings that He would have to endure. At that same moment, the apostles were overwhelmed by such grace that Peter randomly suggested: “Mentor! It's good for us to be here; We will make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said” (Luke 9:33).
At that moment, everyone was enveloped in a cloud, from which the voice of God was heard: “This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him” (Luke 9:35). As soon as the words of the Most High were heard, the disciples again saw Christ alone in His ordinary appearance.
When Christ and the apostles were returning from Mount Tabor, He ordered them not to testify before the time of what they had seen.
In Rus', the Transfiguration of the Lord was popularly called “ Apple Spas", since on this day honey and apples are blessed in churches.
Dormition of the Mother of God (August 28)
The Gospel of John says that before his death, Christ commanded the Apostle John to take care of his Mother (John 19:26–27). From that time on, the Virgin Mary lived with John in Jerusalem. Here the apostles recorded the stories of the Mother of God about the earthly existence of Jesus Christ. The Mother of God often went to Golgotha to venerate and pray, and on one of these visits, the Archangel Gabriel informed Her of Her imminent dormition.
By this time, the apostles of Christ began to come to the city for the last earthly service of the Virgin Mary. Before the death of the Mother of God, Christ and the angels appeared at Her bedside, causing those present to be gripped by fear. The Mother of God gave glory to God and, as if falling asleep, accepted a peaceful death.
The apostles took the bed on which the Mother of God was and carried it to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Jewish priests, who hated Christ and did not believe in His resurrection, learned about the death of the Mother of God. High Priest Athos overtook funeral procession, and grabbed the bed, trying to turn it over in order to desecrate the body. However, the moment he touched the stock, his hands were cut off by an invisible force. Only after this did Afonia repent and believe, and immediately found healing. Body Mother of God They put him in a coffin and covered it with a large stone.
However, among those present in the procession was not one of Christ’s disciples, the Apostle Thomas. He arrived in Jerusalem only three days after the funeral and cried for a long time at the tomb of the Virgin Mary. Then the apostles decided to open the Tomb so that Thomas could venerate the body of the deceased.
When they rolled away the stone, they found only the funeral shrouds of the Mother of God inside; the body itself was not inside the tomb: Christ took the Mother of God to heaven in Her earthly nature.
A temple was subsequently built on that spot, where the funeral shrouds of the Mother of God were preserved until the 4th century. After this, the shrine was transported to Byzantium, to the Blachernae Church, and in 582, Emperor Mauritius issued a decree on the general celebration of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
This holiday among the Orthodox is considered one of the most revered, like other holidays dedicated to the memory of the Virgin Mary.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 21)
The righteous parents of the Virgin Mary, Joachim and Anna, could not have children for a long time, and were very sad about their own childlessness, since among the Jews the absence of children was considered as God's punishment for secret sins. But Joachim and Anna did not lose faith in their child and prayed to God to send them a child. So they made an oath: if they have a child, they will give him to the service of the Almighty.
And God heard their requests, but before that, he subjected them to a test: when Joachim came to the temple to make a sacrifice, the priest did not take it, reproaching the old man for being childless. After this incident, Joachim went into the desert, where he fasted and begged for forgiveness from the Lord.
At this time, Anna also underwent a test: her maid reproached her for childlessness. After that, Anna went into the garden and, noticing a bird’s nest with chicks on a tree, began to think about the fact that even birds have children, and burst into tears. In the garden, an angel appeared before Anna and began to calm her down, promising that they would soon have a child. An angel also appeared before Joachim and said that the Lord had heard him.
After this, Joachim and Anna met and told each other about the good news that the angels told them, and a year later they had a girl, whom they named Mary.
Exaltation of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (September 27)
In 325, the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Great, Queen Lena, went to Jerusalem to visit holy places. She visited Golgotha and the burial place of Christ, but most of all she wanted to find the Cross on which the Messiah was crucified. The search yielded results: three crosses were found on Calvary, and in order to find the one on which Christ suffered, they decided to conduct tests. Each of them was applied to the deceased, and one of the crosses resurrected the deceased. This was the same Cross of the Lord.
When the people learned that they had found the Cross on which Christ was crucified, a very large crowd gathered at Golgotha. There were so many Christians gathered that most of them could not approach the Cross to bow to the shrine. Patriarch Macarius proposed erecting the Cross so that everyone could see it. So, in honor of these events, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross was founded.
Among Christians, the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord is considered the only holiday that is celebrated from the first day of its existence, that is, the day when the Cross was found.
The Exaltation received general Christian significance after the war between Persia and Byzantium. In 614, Jerusalem was sacked by the Persians. Moreover, among the shrines they took away was the Cross of the Lord. And only in 628 the shrine was returned to the Church of the Resurrection, built on Calvary by Constantine the Great. Since then, the Feast of the Exaltation has been celebrated by all Christians in the world.
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple (December 4)
Christians celebrate the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the temple in memory of the dedication of the Virgin Mary to God. When Mary was three years old, Joachim and Anna fulfilled their vow: they brought their daughter to the Jerusalem Temple and placed her on the stairs. To the amazement of her parents and other people, little Mary walked up the stairs herself to meet the high priest, after which he led Her into the altar. Since then Holy Virgin Mary lived at the temple until the time came for her betrothal to righteous Joseph.
Great Holidays
Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord (January 14)
Circumcision of the Lord as a holiday was established in the 4th century. On this day, they commemorate an event associated with the Covenant made with God on Mount Zion by the prophet Moses: according to which all boys on the eighth day after birth were to accept circumcision as a symbol of unity with the Jewish patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
After completing this ritual, the Savior was named Jesus, as Archangel Gabriel commanded when he brought the good news to the Virgin Mary. According to the interpretation, the Lord accepted circumcision as a strict fulfillment of the laws of God. But in the Christian Church there is no ritual of circumcision, since according to the New Testament it gave way to the sacrament of baptism.
Nativity of John the Baptist, Forerunner of the Lord (July 7)
The celebration of the Nativity of John the Baptist, the prophet of the Lord, was established by the Church in the 4th century. Among all the most revered saints, John the Baptist occupies a special place, since he was supposed to prepare the Jewish people to accept the preaching of the Messiah.
During the reign of Herod, the priest Zechariah lived in Jerusalem with his wife Elizabeth. They did everything with zeal, as indicated by the Law of Moses, but God still did not give them a child. But one day, when Zechariah entered the altar for incense, he saw an angel who told the priest the good news that very soon his wife would give birth to a long-awaited child, who should be named John: “...and you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord; He will not drink wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb...” (Luke 1:14-15).
However, in response to this revelation, Zechariah smiled mournfully: both he himself and his wife Elizabeth were advanced in years. When he told the angel about his own doubts, he introduced himself as the Archangel Gabriel and, as punishment for disbelief, imposed a ban: because Zechariah did not believe the good news, he would not be able to talk until Elizabeth gave birth to a child.
Soon Elizabeth was pregnant, but she could not believe her own happiness, so she hid her situation for up to five months. In the end, she had a son, and when the baby was brought to the temple on the eighth day, the priest was greatly surprised to learn that he was named John: neither in the family of Zechariah nor in the family of Elizabeth was there anyone with that name. But Zacharias nodded his head and confirmed his wife’s wishes, after which he was able to talk again. And the first words that left his lips were the words of a heartfelt prayer of gratitude.
Day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (July 12)
On this day Orthodox Church commemorates the apostles Peter and Paul, who suffered martyrdom in 67 for preaching the Gospel. This holiday precedes the multi-day apostolic (Petrov) fast.
In ancient times church rules hosted the Council of the Apostles, and Peter and Paul occupied the highest places in it. In other words, the lives of these apostles were great value for the development of the Christian Church.
However, the first apostles came to faith somewhat in different ways that, realizing them, one can involuntarily think about the inscrutability of the Lord’s ways.
Apostle Peter
Before Peter began his apostolic ministry, he bore a different name - Simon, which he received at birth. Simon lived as a fisherman on Lake Gennesaret until his brother Andrew brought him young man to Christ. The radical and strong Simon was immediately able to occupy a special place among the disciples of Jesus. For example, he was the first to recognize the Savior in Jesus and for this acquired a new name from Christ - Cephas (Hebrew stone). In Greek, this name sounds like Peter, and it was on this “flint” that Jesus was going to erect the building of his own Church, which “the gates of hell will not prevail.” However, weaknesses are inherent in man, and Peter’s weakness was his threefold denial of Christ. Nevertheless, Peter repented and was forgiven by Jesus, who confirmed his destiny three times over.
After the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, Peter was the first to preach a sermon in the history of the Christian Church. After this sermon, more than three thousand Jews joined the true faith. In the Acts of the Apostles there is evidence in almost every chapter active work Peter: he preached the Gospel in various towns and states located on the shores of the Mediterranean. And it is believed that the Apostle Mark, who accompanied Peter, wrote the Gospel, taking the sermons of Cephas as a basis. Apart from this, in the New Testament there is a book written personally by the apostle.
In 67, the apostle went to Rome, but was caught by the authorities and suffered on the cross, like Christ. But Peter considered that he was unworthy of exactly the same execution as the Teacher, so he asked the executioners to crucify him upside down on the cross.
Apostle Paul
Apostle Paul was born in the city of Tarsus (Asia Minor). Like Peter, he had a different name from birth - Saul. He was a gifted young man and acquired a good education, but he grew up and was brought up in pagan customs. In addition, Saul was a noble Roman citizen, and his position allowed the future apostle to openly admire the pagan Hellenistic culture.
With all this, Paul was a persecutor of Christianity both in Palestine and beyond its borders. These opportunities were gifted to him by the Pharisees, who hated Christian teaching and waged a fierce struggle against it.
One day, when Saul was traveling to Damascus with permission for the local synagogues to arrest Christians, he was struck by a bright light. The future apostle fell to the ground and heard a voice saying: “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting Me? He said: Who are you, Lord? The Lord said: I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is difficult for you to go against the pricks” (Acts 9:4-5). After this, Christ ordered Saul to go to Damascus and rely on providence.
When the blind Saul arrived in the city, where he found Ananias the priest. After a conversation with a Christian pastor, he believed in Christ and was baptized. During the baptismal ceremony, his sight returned again. From this day Paul's activity as an apostle began. Like the Apostle Peter, Paul traveled widely: he visited Arabia, Antioch, Cyprus, Asia Minor and Macedonia. In the places where Paul visited, Christian communities seemed to form spontaneously, and he himself supreme apostle became famous for his messages to the heads of the churches founded with his help: among New Testament books contains 14 letters of Paul. Thanks to these messages, Christian dogmas acquired a coherent system and became understandable to every believer.
At the end of 66, the Apostle Paul arrived in Rome, where a year later, as a citizen of the Roman Empire, he was executed by the sword.
Beheading of John the Baptist (September 11)
In the 32nd year from the birth of Jesus, King Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, imprisoned John the Baptist for talking about his close relationship with Herodias, his brother’s wife.
At the same time, the king was afraid to execute John, since this could cause the anger of his people, who loved and revered John.
One day, during the celebration of Herod's birthday, a feast was held. The daughter of Herodias, Salome, gave the king an exquisite tanya. For this, Herod promised in front of everyone that he would fulfill any desire of the girl. Herodias persuaded her daughter to ask the king for the head of John the Baptist.
The girl’s request embarrassed the king, as he was afraid of John’s death, but at the same time he could not refuse the request, because he was afraid of the ridicule of the guests because of the unfulfilled promise.
The king sent a warrior to prison, who beheaded John and brought his head to Salome on a platter. The girl accepted the terrible gift and gave it to her own mother. The apostles, having learned about the execution of John the Baptist, buried his headless body.
Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (October 14)
The holiday was based on a story that happened in 910 in Constantinople. The city was besieged by a countless army of Saracens, and the townspeople hid in the Blachernae Temple - in the place where the omophorion of the Virgin Mary was kept. Frightened residents fervently prayed to the Mother of God for protection. And then one day during prayer, the holy fool Andrei noticed the Mother of God above those praying.
The Mother of God walked accompanied by an army of angels, with John the Theologian and John the Baptist. She reverently extended her hands to the Son, while her omophorion covered the praying inhabitants of the city, as if protecting people from future disasters. In addition to the holy fool Andrei, his disciple Epiphanius saw the amazing procession. The miraculous vision soon disappeared, but Her grace remained in the temple, and soon the Saracen army left Constantinople.
The Feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary came to Rus' under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1164. And a little later, in 1165, on the Nerl River, the first temple was consecrated in honor of this holiday.
Posting calendar 2016
In our calendar, all dates are indicated taking into account the new style calendar data
In life, as a rule, in order to get something, you have to sacrifice something. This also applies to holidays. In order to correctly celebrate a holiday according to the Orthodox calendar, you need to be prepared for it.
The Russian Orthodox Church has several types of fasts in its calendar:
- one-day, throughout the year, on certain days of the week (Wednesday and Friday) and 3 one-day on certain dates;
- multi-day, of which 4 posts last more than one day.
Lent
(observed from 14.03 to 30.04)
Our Savior Jesus Christ began salvation precisely by fighting temptation in the desert; by refusing food, he began the so-called tradition. Tempted by the devil, but refusing to eat, he began the salvation of the human race. Therefore, Lent is considered to be the fast of the Savior. In addition, the last week is called passionate, in honor last days the life of the Savior, his suffering and martyrdom.
The first and last weeks of this fast are considered the strictest.
There are some restrictions on eating on certain days of the week throughout Lent. So on Clean Monday you must abstain completely from food.
During Lent, every other day, food should be lean, without oil and not hot (this applies to Monday, Wednesday and Friday). On other days, hot food is allowed, but again without oil (this is on Thursday and Tuesday). On Saturday and Sunday there is even greater relaxation and the consumption of hot food with the addition of oil (vegetable origin) is allowed.
On the holy holiday of the Annunciation in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as Sunday, which is commonly called Palm Sunday, it is allowed to eat fish. On the Saturday of Saint Lazarus, the consumption of fish caviar is permitted. But on Friday, called Passion Friday, food is not consumed until the shroud is taken out.
Peter's Fast (Apostolic Fast)
(falls from 27.06 to 11.07)
It begins on the Feast of Peter and Paul, on the first day of the Week of All Saints. Fasting is also called summer fasting because of the time of year in which it is observed. The duration of this fast may vary depending on what date Easter falls on.
This fast always begins on Monday, the feast of All Saints, and ends on the eleventh of July. The longest Petrov fast can be 6 weeks, and the shortest – 8 days.
Peter's Fast is observed in honor of the Holy Apostles, who devoted themselves to prayer for the worldwide preaching of the Gospel. They prayed for our salvation and prepared successors to serve in the name of salvation.
During this fast, it is customary to observe dry eating on specific days of the week - Wednesday and Friday. On the first day of the week, hot food without adding oil is allowed. All other days, the diet may contain fish, cereals, mushrooms and vegetable oil. If the day of remembrance of the great saint falls on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, then hot food with butter is allowed. On the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7), according to the Charter, fish is allowed.
Dormition post
(observed from 14.08 to 27.08)
Another multi-day fast that comes after Peter's Fast is the Assumption Fast. Its duration is 2 weeks. This post calls for continued prayer and abstinence, following the example of the Mother of God, who, before going to heaven, fasted and prayed all the time.
Food consumption during this fast depends on the days of the week. Dry eating every other day - on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesday and Thursday - relaxation, hot food is allowed Lenten food. On weekends (Saturday and Sunday) - food with added oil (vegetable) is allowed.
In addition, on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which falls on August 19, and on the Dormition (which falls on Wednesday or Friday), fish can be eaten.
Christmas or Filippov fast
(observed from 28.11 to 6.01)
Winter fasting is observed from the end of autumn until Christmas. Its duration is 40 days. This fast received the additional name Filippov because it begins just after the holiday dedicated to this saint.
Observance of this fast calls us to make a sacrifice in gratitude for the fruits of earthly blessings sent to us by the Lord God.
The rules for observing fasting in food are similar to the rules for Peter's Fast, but only until December 19th. This day is the feast of the memory of St. Nicholas. After it, it is customary to eat fish on weekends until the day before Christmas. The holiday itself limits the consumption of fish on any day, and on weekends food with added oil is allowed.
On the day before Christmas, as it is also called - Christmas Eve - food is not consumed until darkness and the appearance of the first stars in the sky. After which they eat wheat grains boiled with honey or rice cooked with the addition of raisins. This dish is also called sochiv.
Solid weeks
A week is a complete calendar week. A continuous week is a week in which fasting is not observed on Wednesdays and Fridays. Total in Church calendar 5 continuous weeks, and they fall on the following dates:
1. from 7.01 to 17.01 (Christmas time),
2. from 22.02 to 28.02 (Week of the Publican and Pharisee),
3. from 7.03 to 13.03 (Maslenitsa),
4. from 2.05 to 8.05 (Easter week),
5. from 20.06 to 26.06 (Trinity Week).
Posts on Wednesdays and Fridays
There are days in the Church calendar that are considered fast throughout the year. This is Wednesday, which is considered a fast day in honor of the betrayal of Christ by Judas, as well as Friday - called to honor the memory of the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross and his death.
The rules for observing fasts on these days call not to eat meat, meat products, as well as milk and dairy products. Relaxations are only allowed if any holiday falls on that day of the week, and then only in the form of adding vegetable oil to food. An exception is the holiday of Intercession - on this day even fish is allowed to be eaten.
In addition, relaxation on these days of the week is allowed for the sick, weakened and those who are busy. hard work. However, the Church does not allow the consumption of fish on days other than those prescribed for this, and does not fully encourage non-compliance.
One-day posts
There are also so-called one-day fasts, abstinence from food during which calls for cleansing and preparation for a specific holiday. The ban applies to fish and fish products, however, oil is allowed.
These include:
- 18.01 – Epiphany Christmas Eve,
- 11.09 – Beheading of John the Baptist,
- 27.09 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Rules for dining on holidays
The Church Charter implies the observance of certain rules in the consumption of food and on the holidays themselves. So on Christmas Day and Epiphany, which fall on Wednesday or Friday, fasting is not observed.
On days of one-day fasting and Christmas Eve, eating food with the addition of vegetable oil is allowed.
On holidays:
Dormition of the Mother of God,
Meeting of the Lord,
John the Evangelist,
Nativity of John the Baptist,
Transfiguration of the Lord
Nativity of Christ,
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple,
Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Apostles Peter and Paul,
falling on fasting days of the week, as well as during the period from Easter to Trinity, fish and fish products are allowed to be consumed.
Calendar of fasts and meals for 2016
|
Periods |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
|
|
Lent |
xerophagy |
hot without oil |
xerophagy |
hot without oil |
xerophagy |
hot with butter |
hot with butter |
|
|
Spring "meat eater" |
fish |
fish | ||||||
|
Petrov post |
hot without oil |
fish |
xerophagy |
fish |
xerophagy |
fish |
||
|
Summer "meat eater" |
hot without oil |
hot without oil | ||||||
|
Dormition post |
xerophagy |
hot without oil |
xerophagy |
hot without oil |
xerophagy |
hot with butter |
hot with butter |
|
|
Autumn "meat eater" |
hot without oil |
hot without oil | ||||||
|
Christmas post From 28.11 to 6.01 |
hot without oil |
fish |
xerophagy |
fish |
xerophagy |
fish |
fish |
|
|
hot without oil |
hot with butter |
xerophagy |
hot with butter |
xerophagy |
fish |
fish |
||
|
xerophagy |
hot without oil |
xerophagy |
hot without oil |
xerophagy |
hot with butter |
hot with butter |
||
|
Winter "meat eater" |
fish |
fish | ||||||
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