Lent for the layman. How do lay people observe Lent

People in our time do not just think about God. They rush to him spiritually, trying as far as possible to adapt their lives to the rules indicated by the canons of faith. Sooner or later everyone comes to the need to observe Lent. For the layman, the demand is complex, sometimes exorbitant. Especially if you focus on the monastic charter. However, not everything is as it seems. Let's figure it out.

The Meaning of Fasting

It is necessary to understand that the refusal of food is not a diet, let alone punishment.
A great post for a layman should be a time of spiritual purification in the first place. This is an opportunity to fence off, to break away from the widespread desire for consumption in our times. Advertising and the variety of goods sometimes supplant the mind of the Lord from the minds. A great post for a layman can be an opportunity to get out of this "constant race for good". After all, happiness, as almost everyone finds out, does not depend on the wealth of material. To understand this, to realize with your heart, is the goal of Lent. It should also be understood that its rules, naturally, are defined fairly unambiguously. Nevertheless, there are many "indulgences" that people want to use. These are not "loopholes for cunning". Rather, they are the Lord's mercy for those who are not strong in spirit, and even the body. Just do not be discouraged by this peculiar test. It is not for this that the post of Great was invented. Rules for lay people are not strict. In any case, people will not die of hunger, but the time to think about it will appear.

Not by statute, but by conscience

If we ask the clergyman what the Great Lent is for a layman, then, as a rule, he will start talking not about products, but about the soul. For example, when talking about the various statutes, the servants of the Temple often mention the monastery, and also the Typicon. The fact is that different groups of believers interpreted the rules set forth in the Holy Scripture in their own way. The monks, who give all their thoughts to the Lord, are required to observe the fasting very strict. It is not required of the laity. Yes, they are prescribed some restrictions. But they are all connected more with the work of the spirit, and not with the depression of the stomach. The Kiev hegumen Alypii made the following conclusion: according to conscience, fasting is necessary, then the Lord will accept your efforts and bless. Disagreeable to the Almighty norms and rules. He is more important when the believer is able to cultivate repentance in himself, to illuminate the soul with love for one's neighbor. That is, he strives for the Lord by the soul, and does not torment himself with hunger.

How do lay people observe Lent

Let's still talk about the specific rules of the fourteenth. First of all, we will touch upon strict prohibitions. They concern meat, alcohol, oil. Also, one should refrain from confectionery, that is, sweets, cakes, cakes, rolls and the like. All this is done for the soul to work, to remain without "pleasures of the body". Although some indulgences are still provided.

So, on certain days it is allowed to serve fish, caviar, and vegetable oil. You will say that observing the Lent for laymen is a pure nightmare. In fact, this is not so. After all, the allowed products are much larger than those banned. And more importantly, they are much tastier and more useful, only we with our habits forgot about it.

What you can eat

The table is allowed to serve cereals and vegetables, fruits in fresh and dried form. Many people find it difficult to give up meat. So, it is perfectly replaced by mushrooms! They are in the quadrenotes allowed. The protein can be filled with nuts. Today they sell a lot of their own, and "overseas". While all raspuboete, forget about the restrictions. The same applies to fruits. It is interesting that during the time of fasting many people change their taste preferences. Dried fruits, candied fruits and nuts are then chewed with great pleasure than sweets and chocolates. For some, the revelation is the set of dishes that are prepared from vegetables. In addition, it is allowed to eat cheeses. Most often, low fat is recommended. But there are a lot of them. Buy cheese or hard varieties. Thus, you will completely forget about meat.

By the way, there are no references to seafood in the charters. In some monasteries in Cyprus, for example, they are served on weekends and holidays. Therefore, laity can also be.

About bread

Making the menu on the days of Lent, try to make it diverse. By the way, it's quite simple. But strict rules should also be taken into account. They are primarily concerned with bread. People with normal health are banned from white flour. That is, bread should be bought (oven) from rye or from coarse grains. With this in the shops there is no problem. The current industry offers many options: both with bran, and with nuts, and with grain. Choose yourself to taste. But from a white loaf it is necessary to refuse. On the other hand, he is fasting to limit himself to the glory of the Lord! Exceptions to the rules are made only for small children and patients. They are allowed to eat meat and other foods. This is the highest justice, it is not worth risking your health, such a sacrifice God does not require of anyone.

Calendar of fasting for the laity

You can make it yourself. It should be remembered that on the first day they refrain from eating at all. And then alternate boiled food with raw. On weekends it is allowed to cook meals with lean oil. In addition, on Palm Sunday it is not forbidden to eat fish. However, laymen of such variety (seafood, caviar) are allowed on Saturdays too. People who have problems with digestion (and these are almost all our contemporaries), you can skip the recommendations for raw food. Consequently, we get that every weekday you can normally eat vegetables and cereals without oil, mushrooms and fruits. On weekends, add vegetable fats and fish to the diet. You ask, and when can I eat cheese? It depends on the severity of the post. The monastic charter generally recommends without them. Typicon allows dairy only on weekends. Laymen should also see how they feel. Remember: fasting according to conscience, not by statute. Suffer from a lack of protein or monotony of the diet - you can treat cheese or cheese every other day (from the second). The Lord did not forbid this. And it's better to focus more attention in yourself. Pray - and the answers to all questions will come directly from the Lord. And this will be the most correct!