The Orthodox Christians on February 27 entered Lent, which is the longest fasting season of the liturgical year. Priest Eugen Onikov, of the Church \u201cSaint Panthelemon\u201d has told Info-Prim Neo that Lent lasts for 40 days, until Easter, which this year is celebrated on April 15. <\/p>\n
The priest said Lent consists of two periods. The first period lasts for six weeks and ends on Palm Sunday, when the faithful are allowed to eat fish. The second period begins the next day after Palm Sunday and continues until Easter. During the Holy Week, the people fast very strictly. <\/p>\n
\u201dLent has two aspects \u2013 the material one, when we refrain from eating animal products, fish eggs and dairy products, and the spiritual one, when we try not to commit sins and pray. It is said that these two aspects are two wings that take us close to perfection,\u201d said the priest.<\/p>\n
Eugen Onikov also said the priests can allow the sick people and children to eat certain prohibited products, except for Wednesday and Friday and the first and last weeks. The Christians who want to take communion can do it on the fist week already, on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Church calls on the believers to go through penitential preparation through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial. <\/p>\n
There are four fasting seasons during the year \u2013 Great Lent, the Nativity Fast (Winter Lent), the Apostles’ Fast in preparation for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and the Dormition Fast in preparation for the Feast of the Dormition of Virgin Marry .<\/p>\n