The Orthodox Easter (postul pastelui ortodox) Fast 2023 or the Great Lent (postul mare), the longest and harshest fast of the year: Prohibitions, duration, days of breaking free from fish. Habits and traditions.
Starting on February 27, 2023, the Easter Lent will begin, which lasts 40 days, until the feast of the Resurrection, which will take place on April 16, 2022. The Easter fast is the longest fast over the year, but also the hardest to keep, given that there are the fewest fish breaks. The leaving of the meat for the Great Lent of Easter in 2023 will take place on Sunday, February 26. A week before the start of Easter Lent, believers are allowed to consume cheese, eggs and milk. This is also called Cheese Week or White Week.
When is the release of fish in Easter Lent 2023?
The Easter fast is the harshest fast of the year, and unlike other fasts, in Great Lent there are fewer fish-free days:
What is forbidden to do during Easter Lent 2023
What not to eat during Easter Lent 2023 During the Easter fast, Orthodox Christians adopt a spiritual attitude, pray and cleanse their souls, but also do not consume foods such as: meat, cheese, eggs, milk and fish.
Devotion to fish in Easter Lent
During the fast there are also fish holidays, days when those fasting are allowed to eat fish dishes. The days when fish are released are: On the day of the Feast of the Annunciation; De Florii – on the Sunday before Easter.
Customs and traditions in Easter Lent 2023
For 40 days, as long as Easter or Great Lent lasts, you don't eat sweets, and the body is purified together with the soul, through prayer and good thoughts. Therefore, during these weeks, no meat, eggs, milk or cheeses are consumed. Also, according to church regulations, smoking and alcohol are prohibited. Fasting is total abstinence from certain foods and drinks for religious and moral purposes. Moreover, Christians must refrain from certain impure thoughts, lusts, passions or bad deeds. This means that bodily fasting must be accompanied by spiritual fasting. At the same time, during this period it is said that it is good to do a house consecration service. The priest is called to the house of the parishioners, where those present and all the rooms are sprinkled with holy water. Also, prayers are made for the protection and good of the house and for the physical and mental health of those who live in it. During Lent, believers want to spend this spiritual stage much closer to God, according to the Church. That's why, during this period of need, those fasting go to their spiritual priest and confess their sins to him, that is, they go to confession. After the fasting period, Christians go to church, where they confess and receive communion.
There are no weddings during Easter Lent 2023
The prohibition to perform weddings during fasting is explained by certain theologians in two ways: Weddings are not performed during fasting because this period is a period of fasting and refers to both spiritual and physical fasting. Carnal fasting includes, in addition to abstaining from certain foods and drinks, also the conjugal abstinence of the spouses. The second reason why weddings are not held during fasting is the fact that immediately after the service of the Wedding Mystery, parties are organized with a lot of food and drink, but also with an atmosphere that is in contradiction with the atmosphere that characterizes the period of fasting. The Church does not allow religious weddings to take place on fasting days precisely so that the joy of the wedding is not overshadowed by the restrictions of fasting At the end of the Easter Lent, together with the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord in addition to the other Christian Easter customs, today in the age of the Internet and mobile phones, Easter messages are sent to loved ones.