The Orthodox Christians on March 14 enter Lent, which is the strictest fasting period of the year. Thus, during 49 days until Easter, when Christians remember the death of Christ and his return to life, those who fast do not eat meat, fish, dairy products and do not drink wine.

Contacted by IPN, Bishop of the Chisinau-based Church “Saint Hierarch Nicolae” Petru Storoja said the Great Lent, which is also called the Easter Lent, is the most important fasting season for the Orthodox Christians. Besides fasting, the faithful in the period should also purify their souls. Lent is entered with repentance, forgiveness and love.

Petru Storoja noted that the first and last weeks of Lent are the strictest ones. Vegetal oil and wine will be allowed only on feast days. The last week of Lent, known as Holy Week, has the same worth as the whole fasting period. On this week, many parishioners eat only communion bread and drink holy water.

Also, the Orthodox Christians during Lent will be allowed to eat fish two times – on Annunciation, celebrated on April 7, and on Palm Sunday, marked on April 24.

The sick, elderly people, pregnant women and children can be allowed to eat certain prohibited products, except for Wednesdays and Fridays and the first and last weeks. Though priests urge the faithful to abstain from eating in excess, they say Lent is rather a period of prayer and repentance.

Lent this year ends on May 1, when it is celebrated Easter. Priest Petru Storoja explained that the Easter day varies over a period of 35 days. Thus, April 4 is the earliest date, while May 8 is the latest date when Easter can be observed.

There are four main periods of extended fasting during the year: the Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, the Apostles’ Fast, and the Dormition Fast.