when and how to observe Orthodox and Greek Catholics

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Spring is a time of cleaning the space, reviving and reviving life after wintering. It is symbolic that Christians experience one of the most important periods in the religious calendar in the spring – the Great or Easter fast, which ends with Easter, the holiday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“UP. Life” tells when in 2024 it is necessary to fast, what can not be eaten during Great Lent, and who does not have to fast.

What does Lent mean?

Great Lent is the period before Easter, when Christians prayerfully live and remember the most difficult period of Jesus Christ’s existence before the crucifixion. Restrictions in food, behavior, entertainment and thoughts are an effort of believers to imitate Christ and the saints, a way to get closer to God spiritually.

The Bible does not force fasting and does not give a direct instruction to observe it, but it defines it as a necessary part of being a Christian for spiritual development, eradication of one’s vices and strengthening of spirit.

When does Great Lent 2024 begin and how long will it last

Easter Lent 2024 begins on March 18 and ends on May 4.

The period from the beginning of Great Lent to the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday, April 28) is called Pentecost. It is associated with the imitation of forty days of fasting and prayer of Jesus Christ in the desert. This period always lasts about 40 days, depending on the calculation of the date of Easter – this year there were 42.

Next, after Palm Sunday comes Holy Week (from April 29 to May 4), a time of particularly strict fasting and fervent prayers, when Christians liturgically experience the torment, death and burial of the crucified Christ.

Fasting ends on Easter, after the festive service and consecration of the pascha. This year, Christians of the Eastern Rite will fast (start eating non-fast food) on the morning of May 5.

How to fast during Great Lent

This is how the Church determines what can be eaten during Lent: a moderate amount of simple, modest food, common to our culture and locality.

Before you start fasting, you should ask your priest for a blessing.

The rules of fasting for Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers are somewhat different. For Greek Catholics, what can be eaten during Lent is clearly defined by the canons of private law.

• on the first day of Great Lent and Good Friday (March 3) you should refrain from eating eggs, meat and dairy products;
• in the first week of Easter fasting, during Holy Week and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of other fasting weeks, you cannot eat meat;
• the rest of the days all kinds of food are allowed.

In addition, the Greek Catholic Church clearly defines those who are exempt from the obligation to fast:

• children up to 14 years old;
• elderly people after 60 years;
• seriously ill;
• pregnant women;
• breastfeeding mothers;
• those who travel if the travel time exceeds eight hours;
• those who work hard;
• those who eat from the table of others;
• people who live on alms.

Orthodox Christians the church charter completely excludes dairy products, meat and eggs from the diet during Lent. Fish is allowed on Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday (April 28).

There are also certain days when the church advises to abstain from food, not to use oil in cooking, to eat only bread and drink water. However, in the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Kyiv, it is noted that in the Orthodox Church for many years only the monastic charter has existed, which primarily concerns monks. As for parish practice, believers are advised to take restrictions that will be quite noticeable, but will not harm health.

Children may not observe the fast or fast partially with their parents (for example, at home, eat only what is offered on the menu, and at school – what is offered on the menu). The Church advises parents to focus on explaining the essence of Great Lent to their children, showing by their own example how to behave during this period.

What can not be done during the great fast

The songs of Lent are not as important as behavior and thoughts. Throughout Lent, Christians should not participate in loud parties, weddings, singing, dancing, excessive entertainment and other fun.

Special attention should be paid to relationships with others: you should not be offended, angry, quarrel, or slander. The Church does not allow this on ordinary days, but during Lent it advises to focus on eradicating such feelings.

During fasting, it is important to refrain from conflicts, wish no harm to anyone, pray more and show mercy to others.