The Orthodox Christians on April 6 entered Holy Week or the Great and Holy Week, during which fasting is very strict. The seven days before Easter commemorate the events through which Jesus Christ went before his Resurrection. The Bishop of “Saint Pious Parascheva” Church of Ialoveni town Oleg Ursu called on the faithful to pray and show repentance so as to experience themselves those events, IPN reports.
According to the Bible, during the last seven days of Great Lent Jesus Christ was sold by Judas, suffered unbearable pain and died for the people’s sins. The priest said services during this week are held daily. Each day means a new step taken by Christ towards his Crucifixion and then the Resurrection. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is held in churches, wherein communion is received from Gifts (the Body and Blood of Christ) that are sanctified in advance.
The weekdays of Great Lent are a season of repentance, fasting and intensified prayer when the more frequent reception of communion is desirable. The last liturgical service is held on Saturday morning and the Resurrection service starts at 12 midnight. The faithful go to church to take a part of the Holy Fire brought from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
Dairy products and meat products are strictly forbidden during Holy Week. On most days, no alcoholic beverages are permitted and no oil is used in cooking. Friday and Saturday are observed as strict fast days, meaning that nothing should be eaten on these days.
Easter this year is celebrated on April 12. It is one of the most important feasts of the Christians.
