Lent in 2022: all the most important things about the strictest fast and advice for beginners

Moscow, 03/01/2022, 08:02:40, editorial office of FTimes.ru, author Elena Chernenko.

At the end of winter 2022, Maslenitsa week begins, which is celebrated even by the Orthodox. The Church does not impose a ban on this, because after it begins the strictest period of the year - Lent.

The importance of fasting, which precedes Easter, is difficult to overestimate. Only by going through the spiritual path of purification, giving up excesses in food and other pleasures in the name of the Savior and the memory of his earthly suffering, is it possible to fully experience the joy that unites us on the holiday of the Bright Resurrection of Christ.

When does Lent begin in 2022?

Lent, or, as it is commonly called, “Great Lent,” has a special meaning for Christian believers and is an act of remembrance of Jesus’ sojourn in the desert. Tempted by the devil, he fasted for 40 days. Although fasting is associated with this event, the number of days in it is not always equal to forty. The timing depends on the accepted calculation in a particular religion.

The days of Lent change every year and directly depend on the date of Holy Easter.

In 2022, the 48-day fast will begin on March 7th and end on the 23rd in April.

The purpose of the Great Pentecost is spiritual and moral preparation for the great holiday of Holy Easter. As a rule, it begins on Maundy Monday and ends on Friday of the last week.

On the eve of Lent, Orthodox Christians celebrate 3 preparatory weeks: the week of Matyr and the Pharisee, the Week of the Prodigal Son and the Week of the Last Judgment. They are necessary in order to prepare believers for the strict forty-day rules. The last week is Maslenitsa. It ends with Forgiveness Sunday, followed by Clean Monday - the first day of Pentecost.

Where did the tradition come from?

Many people think that there were no fasts before the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, because most often what comes to mind is the Savior’s forty-day prayer in the desert, while he was tempted by Satan. But this is not so, fasting was given by God to man in paradise, it was expressed in the prohibition of eating fruits from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After being expelled from the Garden of Eden, man fasted to repent.

Most often this was a one-day abstinence. The Old Testament describes cases of mass abstinence from food and water in emergency situations, for example, regarding the massacre carried out by the sons of Benjamin during the era of the Judges. To prevent sin from becoming a heavy burden on the entire nation, people kept a common fast. When the Savior began his mission on earth, he often spoke about this as a way to fight demons.

Is Lent a diet?

Pentecost is not simply a daily diet, as many mistakenly interpret this tradition. This is only a period of temporary abstinence. And it's not just about food. Rules exist not only for physical food, but also for spiritual food.

This time must be devoted to getting closer to God and renouncing earthly temptations. But the essence of fasting is not only in cleansing the body, but also in cleansing one’s soul from evil, insults, temptations and bad thoughts. Only when a person is pure both physically and spiritually will he be ready to meet God.

Fasting is an important tradition for Christians. They deliberately abstain from certain foods not because they want to lose weight. For them, this is an opportunity to educate themselves, test their willpower and level of self-control. Instead of physical food, believers are nourished with spiritual food.

It often happens that a person can become aggressive and irritable during fasting. This means that abstinence has the effect it should. Its meaning is to expose human sins and passions, to show what the fasting person must fight.

When the fast ends, a state of extraordinary joy comes over the fact that a person has passed this difficult period with dignity and managed to abstain from temptations and passions. Now he is one step closer to God.

Saints about fasting

John Chrysostom, one of the Fathers of the Church, standing on the same level as Basil the Great, taught:

“Not only should you fast your lips, but also refrain your eyes, your ears, your hands, and your whole body from evil. Fasting is bridling the tongue, putting aside anger, taming lusts, stopping slander and lies. It would be good for a fasting person to feed the hungry, visit the sick, visit the prisoner, comfort the crying, take pity on the exhausted. Let the one observing the fast be merciful, meek, kind, quiet, long-suffering, compassionate, unforgiving, reverent and sedate. May the Lord grant fruits of repentance and tears of joy.”

St. Ephraim the Syrian, whose prayer is read at every Liturgy of Lent:

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“A person holding a fast should try most of all to keep his thoughts and tongue from evil. When you pray outwardly and not inwardly, it is like water that is scooped up and poured into a broken barrel.”

Lenten prayer of repentance by Ephraim the Syrian:

“Lord and Master of my life, do not give me the spirit of idleness, despondency, covetousness and idle talk. Grant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. To her, Lord, King, grant me to see my sins and not condemn my brother, for blessed are you forever and ever. Amen".

Theophan the Recluse, almost our contemporary, he lived in the nineteenth century. Here's what he said about fasting:

First, we hold back our external feelings and try to look carefully at our inner world. Usually people are afraid to do this, they are afraid to face themselves, and therefore they prefer to be outside - doing work, visiting, reading, watching TV, traveling, doing anything, just not to be left alone with themselves. Why? Yes, because I’m scared inside myself. Everything is confused and wanders in disorderly confusion.

One object replaces another, its place is taken by a third, it is crowded out by a fourth, and so on. One thought quickly gives way to another and so quickly that there is no way to give an account of what went through our head. And this happens even during prayer in church and at home, during reading and even meditation. This is a real plunder of the mind, absent-mindedness, lack of attention, so necessary for managing oneself.

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History of origin

The history of the Great Pentecost began back in the days of the New Testament, when Jesus told his disciples about the sacraments of fasting and himself fasted for 40 days, setting an example for all believers.

In Rus', fasting has been observed by Christians since ancient times. It took place on certain fast days and lasted no more than 40 hours. Those who fasted completely abstained from food. Then only those who wished could fast, but from the 4th century the Church declared Lent universal and its duration increased to 6 days. A Christian who did not follow the rules was excommunicated from the church for a certain period of time. Despite this, many continued to fast for only 2 days.

Initially, only pagans fasted for 40 days before baptism, but already in the 5th century this tradition also appeared among the Orthodox. Strict prohibitions carried the idea that food should be cheap and fast, so that more time was left for prayer, and the money left over from dinners was spent on donations. But soon the rules were relaxed, and fish and hot vegetable dishes were included in the diet.

Other religions also hold fasts similar to the Orthodox Holy Pentecost:

• Muslims call the most important fast “Ramadan” and it takes place in the ninth month of the calendar. During Ramadan, believers can only eat after sunset.
• The Protestant fast of the Passion of Christ also lasts 40 days. There are no nutritional rules.
• For Catholics, fasting runs from Ash Wednesday until Maundy Thursday. Meat products are prohibited.
• In Judaism, periods of fasting are divided into two types: Fasting for all believers (Purim) and individual fasts (birth of a son). Each post has its own nutritional characteristics.

How to fast for children and teenagers

This category of citizens can fast as they wish. The clergy explain why children need fasting: it perfectly trains patience. For example, a teenager who is accustomed to limiting his diet several times a year will be able to easily endure virginity until marriage. Such children know perfectly well what is “impossible”; they are more merciful and kinder than their peers.

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Of course, a teenager will not stop being a “hedgehog with needles” just by starting to fast; this is painstaking, long-term work. Abstinence must be taught from childhood. But keep in mind that you cannot force a child to fast when the family eats meat soup. He will perceive this as isolation and become even more withdrawn. If the family cannot keep the fast, invite the child to give up something important to him during the fast: chocolate, social networks, cartoons. And be sure to talk to him, encourage him and explain why the post is needed.

Preparatory weeks of Lent

Before Lent there are three preparatory weeks:

1. The Week of the Publican and the Pharisee
   In the first week you may not fast only on Wednesday and Friday. On all other days, rules and prohibitions are observed.
2. About the Prodigal Son
   You need to fast only on Wednesday and Friday.
3. About the Last Judgment (Meat Week)
   This week fasters can eat meat on Sunday for the last day before the Great Pentecost.
4. Cheese Week
   The week before Lent is popularly called “Maslenitsa Week”. Wednesday and Friday are not fast days. You can eat everything except meat. It is already excluded from the diet.

It is necessary to start preparing for Lent in advance, especially for beginners. After three preparatory weeks, the body becomes completely accustomed to the strict rules of abstinence.

How to easily enter a post

• Gradually reduce the amount of consumption of prohibited foods, replacing them with vegetable protein: legumes and buckwheat.
• Not everyone understands that vegetables and fruits can have harmful effects on the body if you suddenly switch to consuming fiber in large quantities. Therefore, during preparation they also need to be gradually introduced into your diet.
• It is important to remember that lean foods contain much fewer calories. During the first period of fasting, you need to increase the size of portions consumed in order to reduce the risk of stress due to hunger.
• The body needs fats and carbohydrates for energy. During the preparatory weeks, do not forget to add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to your food (not allowed during fasting), and also eat 1-2 slices of dark chocolate. It contains cocoa butter, which will also have a beneficial effect on digestion.
• Have small snacks between main meals.
• Give preference to products made from coarsely ground cereals.
• Against the background of dietary restrictions, immunity may weaken. Therefore, the best solution would be to take a complex of vitamins during fasting.

Holy Week April 18–23

Remembering the last days of the Savior's earthly life

April 18: Maundy Monday. A recollection of the Old Testament story of Joseph, sold by his brothers to Egypt.

April 19: Maundy Tuesday. Recollection of Christ's denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, as well as His parables and conversations in the Jerusalem Temple.

April 20: Great Wednesday. Remembering the betrayal of Christ by Judas.

April 21: Maundy Thursday. Memories of the Last Supper.

April 22: Good Friday. Remembrance of the Savior's suffering on the cross, His death and burial.

April 23: Holy Saturday. A memory of the stay of Christ’s body in the tomb, and his soul in hell, from where he brought out the Old Testament righteous.

How to break fast without harm to your health

Just like entering a post, exiting should happen smoothly. You need to be especially careful with alcohol and meat dishes during Easter.

You cannot suddenly return to your usual eating rhythm. Otherwise, the body experiences a heavy load, which affects health.

You need to introduce foods that you have abstained from for 7 weeks little by little. In the first days of leaving, you should eat milk, fish and eggs in small portions. Dishes must be consumed boiled or stewed. The best solution is to postpone complex and heavy dishes for later.

Simple and tasty recipes for lean vegetable salads

Salads are one of the most important menu items during this period. Fresh or cooked vegetables, they can be varied, tasty and filling. I offer you the most original recipes.

Selyansky salad with cucumbers and peas

Fresh, crispy, refreshing and delicious. It is prepared quickly and easily, from simple ingredients. Try it!

Ingredients:

• Pickled or pickled cucumbers – 200 g.
• Canned green peas – 130 g (whole net)
• Green onions - a small bunch
• Ground pepper to taste
• Fresh cucumbers – 150 g.
• Vegetable oil – 3 tbsp.
• Salt - optional

Preparation:

Let's prepare all the products.

1. Place the peas from the jar on a sieve to drain all the brine.

2. Wash green onions (you can use any other greens) and dry them from water. Chop finely.

3. Wash the fresh cucumber and wipe with a towel. Cut it into small cubes.

If the cucumber is bitter, it is better to remove the stems and peel. But try to choose a vegetable that is not bitter, because with the peel it will look more appetizing in a salad.

4. We also lightly dry the pickled cucumber with a towel to remove excess moisture. Cut into cubes in the same way as fresh vegetables.

5. Combine all products in one bowl and mix. Pepper to taste. It is not necessary to add salt, because cucumbers and peas should have enough salt. Add aromatic oil and mix.

Bon appetit!

Salad with carrots and celery in original dressing with vegetable oil

Try making this salad. I am sure that you will really like it and will use it in the future, not only in Lent. After all, it is very unusual, yet simple and affordable to prepare. Even without mayonnaise, in the original dressing, it can be indescribably tasty.

Ingredients:

• Fresh carrots – 150 g.
• Lettuce leaves
• Celery (root) – 100 g.
• Nuts for decoration

Refueling:

• Garlic – 2-3 cloves or a small bunch of green
• Vegetable oil – 3 tbsp.
• Liquid honey – 1 tsp.
• Salt - to taste
• Chopped walnuts – 20 g.
• Lemon juice – 2-3 tbsp.
• Parsley – 40 g.

Preparation:

1. Let's start by preparing the dressing. Finely chop the garlic - whether green or cloves. Place in a bowl.

2. We also finely chop the parsley and send it after the garlic. Grind everything together a little with a pestle or masher so that they express more aroma.

3. Add lemon juice, liquid honey, and vegetable oil to them. Grind the nuts to fine crumbs (with a rolling pin, knife or in a blender). Let's move it here. Mix everything until it becomes a homogeneous paste. Put it aside for now and let it brew.

4. Meanwhile, prepare the main components of the salad. Peel the celery root and carrots. Grate them into one bowl using a Korean carrot grater.

5. Place the vegetables and the previously prepared dressing in one bowl. Mix everything thoroughly. Leave it in this form for about 10 minutes so that all the components of the salad become friends with each other and the vegetables release their juice.

6. Now we decorate a flat plate with lettuce leaves and lay out our salad in a mound. Sprinkle chopped nuts (any kind to your taste) on top.

Bon appetit!

Fish salad with rice in Lent

I offer you a recipe for a simple, hearty salad. Contains mayonnaise. Don't forget that the classic sauce uses eggs. Therefore, prepare homemade, lean mayonnaise for this dish. Right below this recipe I will give a link to making such a sauce. The salad turns out very elegant, appetizing and tasty.

Ingredients:

• Dry rice – 1 cup
• Lightly salted pink salmon – 250-300 g.
• Leaf lettuce – 50 grams
• Green onions – 50 g.
• Boiled carrots – 150 g.
• A little parsley and sesame for decoration
• Small bunch of dill
• Lenten mayonnaise – 2/3 cup

Preparation:

1. Sort the rice, wash it and put it in a pan for cooking.

2. Cook it in salted water until cooked. Then transfer to a colander, rinse lightly and let all the water drain.

The rice in this dish should not be crumbly. More precisely, on the contrary, it should keep its shape and maintain the stability of the entire salad.

3. Peel the boiled carrots and cut them into small cubes. Transfer to a separate bowl. All other products will also be laid out separately, because the salad is designed in layers.

4. Chop the greens finely.

5. Cut the fish fillet into small cubes.

6. We begin to collect the salad. We will do this in a ring with a diameter of 20 cm. Place the mold on a flat dish. You need to wrap the inside of the ring with film. Place half of the rice in the first layer. Level, slightly compact and grease with a small amount of mayonnaise.

7. Sprinkle with some green onions. We put fish on it. We tear the lettuce leaves into small pieces with our hands and cover the fish with them. Lubricate with mayonnaise.

8. Cover with carrots and then with the remaining rice. Lubricate with the remaining mayonnaise. Cover the top with the film that we previously covered the ring with. Place in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours. You can even leave it until the morning.

9. Now we take it out and remove the ring and film. Decorate the top with dill sprigs, parsley and pieces of fish.

Home prayers that are read during fasting

Icon "Holy Pentecost"

Prayers for the first week of Lent

Stichera for Monday of the 1st Week of Great Lent

Come diligently, having a strong weapon of fasting, like a shield, we will turn away all the intrigues of the enemy’s charms. We will not be scorched by the sweets of passions, nor will we be afraid of the fire of temptations, in the image of Christ the Lover of Mankind with the honors of patience crowns us. Having prayed with boldness, we fall down callingly, asking for peace, and great mercy for our souls.

“Let us come with zeal, holding the strong weapon of fasting like a shield, we will repel all the enemy’s machinations of the evil one, believers. Let us not be scorched by sensuality, we will not be afraid of fiery temptations, for the patience of which the philanthropic Christ will crown us with honors. And therefore, praying with boldness, we fall down to Him, crying out and asking for peace and great mercy for our souls.”

Stichera for Monday of the 1st Week of Great Lent

Come, damned soul with your flesh, confess to the Creator of all and remain the rest of your former speechlessness, and bring tears to God in repentance.

“Come, damned soul, with your body, confess to the Creator of the world and leave your former madness, and bring tears of repentance to God.”

Man has sinned more than all, the only one who has sinned is You: but as God, O Savior, have mercy on Your creation. “I have sinned more than all people, I alone have sinned against You, but, Savior, be merciful as God to Your creation.” Tears of a harlot, O Generous One, and I offer: cleanse me, O Savior, with Thy compassion.

Morning prayers

Morning prayer rule:

“Lord, be merciful to your servant (name)! Send me your blessing and don’t look away. Give me the strength to resist the evil that tests me, help me cleanse my soul of sins committed willingly and unwillingly. Amen."

“Lord Almighty! Lord of my life. Take away from me the spirit of idleness and allow me to spend the time of Lent in humility. Protect from sinful thoughts, do not let everyone stray from the righteous path You have outlined for everyone. Amen."

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God. For the sake of the Virgin Mary, the Most Pure Mother, and all the Saints, have mercy on me (name), a sinner. Glory to Thee, Lord, deliverer and merciful Father in Heaven. Amen."

Prayers of repentance read at Matins:

“Open the doors of repentance, O Life-Giver, for my spirit will rise to Thy holy temple, the temple of my body is completely desecrated; but as you are generous, cleanse me with Your gracious mercy.

Instruct me in the path of salvation, O Mother of God, for my soul has been frozen with cold sins and my whole life has been spent in laziness; but through Your prayers deliver me from all uncleanness.

Thinking about the many cruel things I have done, O wretched one, I tremble at the terrible day of judgment, but hoping for the mercy of Thy mercy, as David cries out to Thee: have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.”

Evening prayers

Evening prayer rule:

“Lord God, creator of all life on earth and the King of Heaven, forgive me for the sins I have committed during the day in word or deed. Even in a dream, I, God’s servant, do not lose faith in You.

I believe that You will save me from sins and cleanse my soul. Every day I hope for Your protection. Hear my prayer, answer my requests. Amen."

“Guardian Angel, protector of my soul and my body. If I have sinned this day, deliver me from my sins. Don't let the Lord God be angry with me. Pray for me, God’s servant (name), before the Lord God, ask him for the forgiveness of my sins and protect me from committing evil. Amen."

Akathist to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Kontakion 1.

To the chosen Voivode, victorious, as having got rid of the evil ones, let us sing thanksgiving to Thy servants, the Mother of God; but as you have an invincible power, free us from all troubles, and let us call to You: Rejoice, Unbrideless Bride.

Ikos 1.

A representative angel from Heaven was sent quickly saying to the Mother of God: Rejoice, and with a disembodied voice you were incarnated in vain, Lord, terrified and standing, calling to Her like this: Rejoice, She is glad the spine will shine; Rejoice, the oath will disappear. Rejoice, proclamation to fallen Adam; Rejoice, the tears of Eve are deliverance. Rejoice, height unattainable by human thoughts; Rejoice, depth unfathomable and with angelic eyes. Rejoice, for you are the seat of the King; Rejoice, for you bear the One who bears everything. Rejoice, Star that reveals the Sun; Rejoice, womb of the Divine Incarnation. Rejoice, the creation is being renewed; Rejoice, we worship the Creator. Rejoice, Unbride-less Bride.

Kontakion 2.

Seeing the Holy One in purity, he boldly says to Gabriel: the glorious voice of yours is inconvenient to my soul, appearing: the birth of the seedless birth, as the verb says, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 2.

The misunderstood mind is understood by the Virgin, seeking, crying out to the servant: clean from the side, How can a Son be born powerfully, O Lord? He speaks to Neizha with fear, calling to his mother: Rejoice, counsel of the ineffable Mystery; Rejoice, silence of those who ask for faith. Rejoice, the beginning of the miracles of Christ; Rejoice, His commands are supreme. Rejoice, heavenly ladder, from which God descended; Rejoice, bridge, leading those who are from earth to heaven. Rejoice, verbose miracle of the angels; Rejoice, demons' many-weeping defeat. Rejoice, O Light that inexpressibly gave birth; Rejoice, even though you have taught not a single person. Rejoice, thou who surpassest the understanding of the wise; Rejoice, thou illuminating the meanings of the faithful. Rejoice, Unbride-less Bride.

Kontakion 3.

The power of the Most High Autumn will then bring forth the unskillful and fertile Toya, who is fertile, like a village showing something sweet, to all who want to reap salvation, always sing in your throat: Alleluia.

Ikos 3.

Having the womb of the God-pleasing Virgin, she was born to Elizabeth: and her baby abie knew the sowing kiss, rejoiced, and played with songs, crying out to the Mother of God: Rejoice, branches of unfading flammable; Rejoice, immortal fruit acquisition. Rejoice, O worker who makes the Lover of mankind; Rejoice, you who gave birth to the Gardener of our life. Rejoice, O field, who increases the supply of bounty; Rejoice, table, bearing abundance of cleansing. Rejoice, for you are flourishing as a food paradise; Rejoice, for you have prepared a haven for souls. Rejoice, pleasant censer of prayer; Rejoice, purification of the whole world. Rejoice, God has good will towards mortals; Rejoice, mortals have boldness towards God. Rejoice, Unbride-less Bride.

Kontakion 4.

Having a storm within, having doubtful thoughts, the chaste Joseph was dismayed, to You in vain, unmarried, and thinking about the marriage that was stolen, Immaculate; Having taken away your conception from the Holy Spirit, he said: Alleluia.

Ikos 4.

Hearing the shepherd of Angels singing the carnal coming of Christ, and as they came to the Shepherd they saw Him like an immaculate lamb, fallen in the womb of Maryna, even as they sang: Rejoice, O Lamb and Shepherd Mother; Rejoice, courtyard of verbal sheep. Rejoice, torment of invisible enemies; Rejoice, the doors of heaven are opening. Rejoice, as those in heaven rejoice in those on earth; Rejoice, for the things on earth resemble those in heaven. Rejoice, silent mouth of the apostles; Rejoice, invincible insolence of the passion-bearers. Rejoice, firm affirmation of faith; Rejoice, bright knowledge of grace. Rejoice, hell has been laid bare to the south; Rejoice, we are clothed with glory. Rejoice, Unbride-less Bride.

Canon

The Great Penitential Canon of Andrei of Crete

Song 1

Irmos: Helper and Protector become my salvation, This is my God, and I will glorify Him, God of my Father, and I will exalt Him: gloriously will I be glorified. Translation: [A Helper and Protector has appeared to me for salvation, He is my God, and I will glorify Him, the God of my father, and I will praise Him, for He is magnified in glory.] (Ex. 15:1-2) Chorus: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me. Where will I begin to cry about my accursed life and deeds? Will I make a beginning, O Christ, for this present mourning? But, as you are kind, grant me forgiveness of sins. [Where should I begin to mourn the deeds of my ill-fated life? What beginning will I make, O Christ, for my present lamentation? But You, being merciful, grant me remission of sins.] Come, damned soul, with your flesh, confess to the Creator of all, and remain the rest of your former speechlessness, and bring tears to God in repentance. [Come, unfortunate soul, with your flesh, confess to the Creator of all, finally refrain from your former recklessness and bring tears to God with repentance.] Having become jealous of the crime of the Primordial Adam, I have known myself naked from God and the ever-present Kingdom and sweetness, sin for my sake. [By imitating the primordial Adam in crime, I recognize myself as deprived of God, the eternal Kingdom and bliss for my sins.] (Genesis 3:6-7) Woe to me, accursed soul, that you became like the first Eve? You saw evil, and you were wounded by the mountaineer, and you touched the tree, and you tasted the insolent, wordless food. [Woe is me, my unfortunate soul, why have you become like the first-created Eve? You looked not kindly and were cruelly wounded, touched the tree and boldly tasted the meaningless fruit.] (Genesis 3:6) Instead of sensual Eve, my mental Eve was Eve, in the flesh a passionate thought, showing sweet and tasting the ever-bitter drink. [Instead of the sensual Eve, a mental Eve arose in me - a carnal, passionate thought, seducing with pleasant things, but when tasted, always filling with bitterness.] Worthyly, Adam was expelled from Eden, because he did not keep Thy one commandment, O Savior; Am I supposed to suffer, the animal always sweeping aside Your words? [Adam was worthily expelled from Eden, as he did not keep one of Your commandments, Savior. What must I endure, who always reject Your life-giving commandments?] (Gen. 3:23)

Gospel

Gospel for the 1st week of Lent

Triumph of Orthodoxy. Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verses 43-51

The next day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and he found Philip and said to him: follow me. Philip was from Bethsaida, from the same city as Andrew and Peter. Philip finds Nathanael and says to him: We have found the One about whom Moses in the law and the prophets wrote, Jesus the son of Joseph from Nazareth. But Nathanael said to him: Can anything good come from Nazareth? Philip says to him: come and see. Jesus, seeing Nathanael coming to Him, said of him: Behold, truly an Israelite, in whom there is no guile. Nathanael says to Him: Why do You know me? Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him: Rabbi! You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said to him, “You believe because I said to you: I saw you under the fig tree; you will see more of this. And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, from now on you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Gospel for the 2nd week of Lent

The week is about being relaxed. Gospel of Mark, chapter 2, verses 1-12

A few days later He came again to Capernaum; and it was heard that He was in the house. Many immediately gathered, so that there was no longer room at the door; and He spoke the word to them. And they came to Him with the paralytic, who was carried by four; and, not being able to approach Him due to the crowds, they opened the roof of the house where He was, and, having dug through it, lowered the bed on which the paralytic lay. Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: child! your sins are forgiven you. Some of the scribes sat there and thought in their hearts: Why does He blaspheme so much? who can forgive sins except God alone? Jesus, immediately knowing in His spirit that they were thinking this way in themselves, said to them, “Why are you thinking this way in your hearts?” What's easier? Should I say to the paralytic: your sins are forgiven? or should I say: get up, take your bed and walk? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, he says to the paralytic: I say to you, get up, take up your bed and go to your house. He immediately got up and, taking the bed, went out in front of everyone, so that everyone was amazed and glorified God, saying: we have never seen anything like this.

Gospel for the 3rd week of Lent

The week of veneration of the cross. Gospel of Mark, chapter 8, verses 34-38, chapter 9, verse 1

And calling the people with His disciples, He said to them: If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for the sake of Me and the Gospel will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what ransom will a man give for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy Angels. And he said to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

Gospel for the 4th week of Great Lent (Sunday of St. John Climacus)

Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, verses 17-31

One of the people answered: Teacher! I brought to You my son, possessed by a dumb spirit: wherever he seizes him, he throws him to the ground, and he emits foam, and grinds his teeth, and becomes numb. I told Your disciples to drive him out, but they could not. Answering him, Jesus said: O faithless generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I tolerate you? Bring him to Me. And they brought him to Him. As soon as the demoniac saw Him, the spirit shook him; he fell to the ground and lay there, emitting foam. And Jesus asked his father, “How long ago did this happen to him?” He said: since childhood; and many times the spirit threw him into both fire and water to destroy him; but, if you can, take pity on us and help us. Jesus said to him: if you can believe as much as possible, all things are possible to him who believes. And immediately the boy’s father exclaimed with tears: I believe, Lord! help my unbelief. Jesus, seeing that the people were running, rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him: the spirit is dumb and deaf! I command you, come out of it and do not enter it again. And, screaming and shaking him violently, he went out; and he became as if dead, so that many said that he was dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he stood up. And when Jesus entered the house, His disciples asked Him privately: Why could we not drive him out? And he said to them: This generation cannot come out except through prayer and fasting. Coming out from there, they passed through Galilee; and He didn't want anyone to find out. For He taught His disciples and told them that the Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of men and they would kill Him, and after He was killed He would rise again on the third day.

Gospel for the 5th week of Lent

Sunday of the Venerable Mary of Egypt. Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 32-45

When they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, Jesus walked ahead of them, and they were terrified and, following Him, were in fear. Calling the twelve, He again began to tell them what would happen to Him: behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the high priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and hand Him over to the pagans, and they will mock Him, and beat Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him; and on the third day he will rise again. Then the sons of Zebedee, James and John, came up to Him and said: Teacher! We want You to do for us whatever we ask. He said to them: what do you want me to do to you? They said to Him: Let us sit at Your side, one on your right hand and the other on your left, in Your glory. But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.” Can you drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? They answered: we can. Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized.” but to let you sit on My right side and on My left does not depend on Me, but on whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be angry with James and John. Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are considered princes of the nations rule over them, and their nobles rule over them. But let it not be like this among you: but whoever wants to be great among you, let us be your servant; and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His soul as a ransom for many.

Gospel for the 6th week of Lent

Gospel of John, chapter 12, verses 1-18

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was dead, whom He raised from the dead. There they prepared a supper for Him, and Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those who reclined with Him. Mary, taking a pound of pure precious ointment of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the world. Then one of His disciples, Judas Simon Iscariot, who wanted to betray Him, said: Why not sell this ointment for three hundred denarii and give it to the poor? He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He had a cash box with him and wore what was put in there. Jesus said: Leave her alone; She saved it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but not always Me. Many of the Jews knew that He was there and came not only for Jesus, but to see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. The high priests decided to kill Lazarus too, because for his sake many of the Jews came and believed in Jesus. The next day, the multitude of people who had come to the festival, hearing that Jesus was going to Jerusalem, took palm branches, came out to meet Him and exclaimed: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel! Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: Fear not, daughter of Zion! Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a colt. His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus became glorified, then they remembered that it was written about Him, and they did it to Him. The people who were with Him before testified that He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead. That is why the people met Him, because they heard that He had performed this miracle.

What is possible and what is not allowed during Lent. Rules and prohibitions

All the rules and prohibitions in force during the Great Pentecost are necessary for spiritual formation and preparation for Easter. In addition to observing food prohibitions, we also must not forget about the rules of morality:

What you can do:

• Spend your days in prayer;
• Visit a temple;
• Do good deeds;
• Fast;
• Read godly books;
• Listen to spiritual music;
• Refrain from temptations and vices;
• Be tolerant of others;
• Help those in need.

What not to do:

• use foul language;
• Have fun and have fun;
• Get angry;
• Physical intimacy with a partner;
• Any bad habits are prohibited;
• Marry;
• Start rumors and condemn someone;
• Swear;
• Bad deeds;
• Lend money.

Signs

• If bright stars are visible in the sky during Lent, the summer will be dry.
• It's snowing - summer will be cold.
• If the water makes noise during fasting days, it means a rainy summer.
• To marry during Lent means to have an unhappy marriage.
• On Maundy Thursday a strong wind blows - then the wind will continue until Ascension Day, and a weak breeze -
• to the berry harvest.
• On Maundy Thursday the water did not freeze, which means it will soon become warm.
• Cold weather on Thursday of Holy Week means a cold spring.
• If it is quiet on Easter Eve, it means a good harvest of legumes.
• Dark night on Easter Day - expect a good harvest.
• It is believed that if a person dies during Lent, then the road to Paradise is open to him.

When you fall, get up!

This phrase can be applied not only to fasting, but also to any area of ​​life. If you give up everything every time you fail, nothing good will ever happen. What should you do if you couldn’t restrain yourself and became rude in line, drank a glass of milk, or went to a bar with friends? You need to tell yourself that nothing bad happened. Life goes on and we must try again. And tell the priest about your action in confession, he will give the necessary advice in this situation.

Questions and answers

How long does Lent last?

The fast lasts 7 weeks, 48 ​​days.

Is it possible to baptize a child?

You can be baptized on any day of fasting

Is it possible to have a wedding?

You can sign, but the wedding should not be held on fasting days.

What Orthodox holidays fall during Lent?

March 12 – Memorial Day of Theodore Tiron; April 7 – Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; April 16 – Lazarus Saturday; April 17 – Palm Sunday

Is it possible to eat fish during Lent?

You can only eat on Annunciation and Palm Sunday. On other days, fish is prohibited.

Is it possible to drink wine during Lent 2022?

You can only eat on Annunciation and Palm Sunday. On other days, fish is prohibited.

Is it possible to drink wine during Lent 2022?

Wine is allowed only on weekends in small quantities

Is it possible to conceive a child?

There is an opinion that children conceived during Lent will be born sick. It is not true. Lent will not affect the child in any way. But it’s still not worth conceiving it specifically during this period, because... There is a rule of abstinence from intimacy between partners.

When can you fish during Lent?

Fish days in 2022 during Lent: April 7, April 17

How to observe Lent correctly?

Refuse meat and dairy foods, eat according to a special schedule, observe all the rules and prohibitions of the Holy Pentecost, attend church and pray.

Can I have squid?

Possible only on special fish days

What does Lent give?

At the end of fasting, the body and spirit are cleansed. Fasting is an excellent opportunity to train willpower and self-control. It helps a person grow spiritually.

Is it possible to receive communion before or during Lent?

The Church does not exclude the possibility of communion before Lent. Everyone has the right to receive Communion, but on special days: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

5th week April 4–10

April 5 (Tuesday) – Mariino’s standing. Reading of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the Life of Mary of Egypt. Reading takes place the day before - April 4, Monday evening

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April 7 (Thursday): Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

April 9 (Saturday) – Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos (Saturday Akathist).

April 10 (Sunday): Week 5. Venerable Mary of Egypt. The Church remembers the Memory of Saint Mary of Egypt - a sinner who went into the desert, lived there for many years and conquered her passions.