Orthodox Lent
Orthodox lent is observed during Lent, a time of fasting. It is also known as Great Lent and is celebrated during Lent Sunday. There are several ways to observe the fast during this period. For example, some Eastern Orthodox churches place a wooden cross between two candles at the center of the church during the first half of the great lent. This cross represents the crucified Christ and is covered in black cloth. Other Orthodox churches have a wooden cross stand that looks like a staff and snake, or a snake.
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Meatfare Sunday
Meatfare Sunday is a holy day in the Orthodox Church and is one of three observances in the Lenten season. The day is a reminder of the Last Judgment and traditionally marks the last day for eating meat before Easter. Orthodox Christians fast from meat for forty days leading up to this day, but can eat dairy products and eggs until the beginning of Great Lent.
Fasting is a key part of Orthodox lent, which begins on the Sunday after the Publican and Pharisee. The fasting continues during Passion Week and concludes with the Paschal Vigil, the day before Easter. Fasting is not a sin itself; it is a way to prepare for the coming of the Savior.
Lenten meals
While many Orthodox lent meals follow the same principles, there are some differences. Traditional Lenten fare consists of a variety of vegetable-based foods such as stewed potatoes or chickpeas. These are primarily prepared in olive oil. Other staples of Lenten fare include lentil soup and white bean casseroles. These dishes are usually accompanied by green vegetables. The classic spanakorizo, a medley of spinach and rice, is another common dish.
Fish is also allowed during Great Lent. Meals are also held on the day of the patron saint’s feast day, though some churches move this feast to the Saturday after the feast day. Other important weekday feasts are often celebrated in conjunction with the Lenten service. In some cases, wine is also permitted.
Observance of orthodox lent
The observance of orthodox lent is different in different countries. In Greece and Cyprus, the observance of lent begins with Ash Monday. Then, the season of Lent continues for 49 days, ending with Pasha (Easter). Throughout these days, the believers fast in preparation for the coming of the Savior. However, in other Eastern Orthodox churches, the observance of lent begins before Ash Monday and is celebrated for a much longer period, sometimes up to 70 days.
During orthodox lent, the Eucharistic Divine Liturgy is not celebrated on Sundays and other non-eucharistic days. However, the regular Eucharistic service is still a paschal celebration of communion with the Risen Lord. Non-eucharistic services are also extended by lenten scripture readings and hymnology. Wednesday and Friday evening services also include the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Observance of great lent
Orthodox Christians follow a very different schedule for the observance of great lent. The first part of the period, called Ash Wednesday, is not celebrated in most Orthodox churches. Instead, Eastern Orthodox churches have a special ceremony on the night before, known as the Sunday of Forgiveness. This ceremony is meant to help people forgive others. During Lent, a person is prohibited from eating heavy meals. However, they are allowed to eat some of their favorite foods.
The second part of great lent is the holy week, which takes place one week after the beginning of Lent. During this week, Orthodox Christians abstain from eating and drinking, unless they are fasting. On Monday and Tuesday, many Faithful fast, whereas Wednesday is a day of the Presanctified Liturgy.
Origins of orthodox lent
The fasting period of Lent is a tradition that is practiced by Orthodox Christians. The practice dates back thousands of years. It is part of the preparation for Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a period of prayer and fasting, which focuses on preparing for the coming of the Savior.
The Lenten season begins before the beginning of Easter, and continues throughout Holy Week. On the day before the start of Easter, the Orthodox Church begins a fast. The fast is observed for forty days. During this time, the Church celebrates the Holy Mass and the Great Lent.