Eastern Orthodox Christians on Monday are entering the Great Lent, the Orthodoxy’s most important fasting season. It will culminate with Easter, which this year falls on April 28.
Pavel Borşevschi, parson of the Saint Demetrius parish in Chisinau, said that the Lent is ushered in by a special prayer on Sunday evening asking the forgiveness of sins.
During the first week of Lent, believers can receive the Eucharist on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and throughout the season communion services will be officiated on Saturdays and Sundays, plus a Wednesday during the Holy Week. Believers can receive the communion as many times as they feel necessary. Before receiving the communion, one must confess first and then right the sin that has been confessed.
Throughout the Great Lent, believers are advised to abstain from eggs, diary products, meat and fish. “Without overcoming bodily temptations, there is no getting closer to God. Those who say they hold God in their hearts but do not fast, will never have the God of the Church in their hearts”.
Breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women and the sick may be exempted from fasting. On Saturdays and Sundays, believers are allowed some wine and vegetable oil. Fish will be allowed on the feast of the Annunciation (Apr. 7) and on Palm Sunday (Apr. 21).
“To fast properly, one must forgive the others. Forgiveness, prayer – which is to be said with a happy countenance – and benefaction are three virtues that mark proper fasting”, says Fr. Borşevschi.
