In order to celebrate an Orthodox church holiday with dignity, with a pure soul, you need to properly prepare for it, because nothing comes so easily, without difficulty. At its core, fasting represents certain bodily and spiritual restrictions to which a believer must subject himself. That is, this is a form of asceticism during which the fasting person exercises his spirit, soul and body.
Russian Orthodox Christians, according to church canons, annually hold four multi-day fasts, three one-day fasts and fasts on Wednesday and Friday. When adhering to fasting, it is very important to understand that restricting food without limiting one’s spirit (from worldly pleasures that “corrupt” a person from the inside) does not contribute to the great salvation of the soul.
Let's take a closer look at all Orthodox fasts in 2017.
Multi-day Orthodox fasts
- – February 27 – April 15, 2017;
- – June 12 – July 11, 2017;
- August 14 – August 27, 2017;
- (Philippov's post) – November 28, 2017 – January 6, 2018.
Lent
Lent is considered the strictest fast, lasting forty-eight days. Lent consists of Lent and Holy Week. Fasting was established in honor of our Savior Jesus Christ, who was tempted by the devil in the desert for forty days and did not take any food.
These forty days are the beginning of the salvation of human souls. The last week of Lent - Holy Week - reminds Christians of the final days on earth, the suffering and death of the Son of God.
During fasting, you cannot eat meat, milk, cheese, or eggs. Lent is particularly strict during the first week of Lent and Holy Week. On Clean Monday it is customary to completely abstain from food. The rest of the time:
- Wednesday, Friday – dry eating (bread, water, vegetables, fruits, compotes);
- Tuesday, Thursday – hot food without adding vegetable oil;
- Saturday, Sunday – hot food with vegetable oil.
Dry eating - meager, non-liquid food, consisting of bread or other dry food; one of the strictest degrees of Orthodox fasting.
On April 7, 2017, you can try fish. Fishing is also permitted on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017. You can eat fish caviar on April 8, 2017, Lazarus Saturday. On April 14, 2017, Good Friday, you cannot eat until the shroud is taken out.
During the days of Great Lent, you need to make peace with everyone, as well as realize all your sins and sincerely repent.
Lent in 2017 will begin on Monday, February 27, and end on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Already on April 16, Sunday, the Orthodox Church will celebrate Easter - the greatest bright holiday of the Resurrection of Christ.
Apostolic post
This summer fast was established in honor of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, who through prayer and fasting prepared for the worldwide preaching of Holy Scripture. Peter's Fast will begin on All Saints Monday, June 12, 2017, and end on July 11, 2017. Each year, the duration of the fast varies, depending on. The longest Apostolic Lent lasts six weeks, and the shortest - a week and one day.
Strict fasting (dry eating) - on Wednesday and Friday. On Monday, hot food without oil is allowed. On other days - mushrooms, fish, cereals with vegetable oil.
Dormition post
A month after Petrov's fast, the Assumption fast begins, which lasts two weeks. The Orthodox Church calls us, parishioners, to imitate the Mother of God, who continuously remained in fasting and prayer before her ascension into heaven.
Dry eating is prescribed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, hot food without the addition of vegetable oil is allowed. On Saturday and Sunday, food with vegetable oil is allowed. On August 19, the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, you can eat fish.
Christmas post
At the end of autumn, exactly forty days before the feast of the Nativity of Christ, winter abstinence from food of animal origin and “delights” of the soul, spirit and body begins - the Nativity Fast. Fasting begins immediately after the day of remembrance of the Apostle Philip, which is why the Nativity Fast is also called the Philip Fast.
The Nativity fast was established in the name of gratitude to the Lord God for the collected fruits of the earth. During Lent, Christians prepare for the great holiday - the Nativity of Christ. Winter fasting begins on November 28, 2017, and ends on January 6, 2018.
The food regulations completely coincide with the food regulations of Peter's Lent until December 19, 2017, the day of St. Nicholas. If the church holiday of the Entry of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple falls on Wednesday or Friday, you can eat fish. After the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas and until the very forefeast of Christmas, fish is allowed on Saturday and Sunday. During the forefeast day, fish is prohibited on all days, and on Saturday and Sunday, food with butter is prohibited. On Christmas Eve, January 6, 2017, you cannot eat food until the very first star appears, and after that you can eat juice (wheat grains boiled in honey, as well as rice with raisins).
Church Orthodox one-day fasts in 2017
- Wednesday and Friday throughout the year, excluding continuous weeks and Christmastide;
- Epiphany Christmas Eve (Epiphany Eve) - January 18, 2017;
- Beheading of John the Baptist - September 11, 2017;
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27, 2017.
Fasting on Wednesday and Friday
On Wednesday, the weekly fast is established as a remembrance of the betrayal of Christ by Judas, on Friday - in honor of the memory of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. On these days, meat and dairy foods are prohibited, and from the week of All Saints until the Nativity of Christ, one must also abstain from fish and vegetable oil. When the days of celebrated saints fall on Wednesday or Friday, it is allowed to add vegetable oil to food. On the biggest holidays, for example, Intercession, fish is allowed.
At the same time, it should be remembered that for those who are engaged in hard work or are sick, some relaxations in fasting on Wednesday and Friday are allowed. This is necessary so that Christians have enough strength to pray and do the necessary work.
Epiphany Christmas Eve
During this one-day fast, true believers prepare for the purification of soul and body and consecration with holy water on the great feast of Epiphany.
Beheading of John the Baptist
The fast was established in honor of the death of the great prophet John.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
On this day, Christians pray, repent of their sins and fast, in memory of the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross for the salvation of the human race.
Solid weeks in 2017
- Christmas time – January 7 – 17, 2017;
- Week of the Publican and the Pharisee - February 6 - 12, 2017;
- Cheese Week (Maslenitsa) – February 20 – 26, 2017;
- Easter (Bright Week) – April 16 – 22, 2017;
- Trinity Week – June 5 – 11, 2017.
During continuous weeks there is no fasting on Wednesday and Friday.
Calendar of meals during Orthodox fasts in 2017:
The fixed part of the church calendar is the Julian calendar, which differs by 13 days from the Gregorian calendar. These holidays fall on the same day of the same month every year.
The moving part of the church calendar moves along with the date of Easter, which changes from year to year. The date of Easter celebration itself is determined according to the lunar calendar and a number of additional dogmatic factors (not to celebrate Easter with the Jews, to celebrate Easter only after the spring equinox, to celebrate Easter only after the first spring full moon). All holidays with variable dates are counted from Easter and move in time on the “secular” calendar along with it.
Thus, both parts of the Easter calendar (movable and fixed) together determine the calendar of Orthodox holidays.
The following are the most significant events for an Orthodox Christian - the so-called Twelfth Feasts and Great Holidays. Although the Orthodox Church celebrates holidays according to the “old style”, which differs by 13 days, the dates in the Calendar, for convenience, are indicated according to the generally accepted secular calendar of the new style.
Orthodox calendar for 2017:
Permanent holidays:07.01 - Nativity of Christ (twelfth)
14.01 - Circumcision of the Lord (great)
19.01 - Epiphany of the Lord (twelfth)
15.02 - Presentation of the Lord (twelfth)
07.04 - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
21.05 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
22.05 - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker
07.07 - Nativity of John the Baptist (great)
12.07 - Holy First. apostles Peter and Paul (great)
19.08 - Transfiguration of the Lord (twelfth)
28.08 - Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
11.09 - Beheading of John the Baptist (great)
21.09 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
27.09 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross (twelfth)
09.10 - Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
14.10 - Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (great)
04.12 - Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (twelfth)
19.12 - St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, wonderworker
Days of special remembrance of the dead
02/18/2017 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday (Saturday before the week of the Last Judgment)
03/11/2017 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent
03/18/2017 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent
03/25/2017 - Ecumenical Parental Saturday of the 4th week of Lent
04/25/2017 - Radonitsa (Tuesday of the 2nd week of Easter)
05/09/2017 - Commemoration of deceased soldiers
06/03/2017 - Trinity Parents' Saturday (Saturday before Trinity)
10/28/2017 - Dmitrievskaya Parents' Saturday (Saturday before November 8)
ABOUT ORTHODOX HOLIDAYS:
TWELVETH HOLIDAYS
In worship Orthodox Church twelve great holidays of the annual liturgical circle (except Easter). Divided into The Lord's, dedicated to Jesus Christ, and the Theotokos, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
According to the time of celebration, the twelfth holidays are divided into motionless(non-transient) and movable(transitionable). The former are constantly celebrated on the same dates of the month, the latter fall on different dates every year, depending on the date of celebration Easter.
ABOUT MEAL ON HOLIDAYS:
According to the Church Charter on holidays Nativity of Christ And Epiphanies, happened on Wednesday and Friday, there is no post.
IN Christmas And Epiphany Christmas Eve and on holidays Exaltation of the Holy Cross And Beheading of John the Baptist Food with vegetable oil is allowed.
On the feasts of the Presentation, Transfiguration of the Lord, Dormition, Nativity and Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Theologian, which occurred on Wednesday and Friday, as well as in the period from Easter before Trinity Fish is allowed on Wednesday and Friday.
ABOUT FASTS IN ORTHODOXY:
Fast- a form of religious asceticism, the exercise of spirit, soul and body on the path to salvation within the framework of a religious view; voluntary self-restraint in food, entertainment, communication with the world. Corporal fasting- food restriction; sincere post- limitation of external impressions and pleasures (solitude, silence, prayerful concentration); spiritual fasting- struggle with one’s “bodily lusts”, a period of especially intense prayer.
The most important thing is to realize that physical fasting without spiritual fasting brings nothing to the salvation of the soul. On the contrary, it can be spiritually harmful if a person, abstaining from food, becomes imbued with the consciousness of his own superiority and righteousness. “He who believes that fasting only means abstaining from food is mistaken. True fasting“, - teaches St. John Chrysostom, “is removal from evil, curbing the tongue, putting aside anger, taming lusts, stopping slander, lies and perjury.” Fast- not a goal, but a means to distract yourself from enjoying your body, concentrate and think about your soul; without all this, it becomes just a diet.
Great Lent, Holy Pentecost(Greek Tessarakoste; Lat. Quadragesima) - the period of the liturgical year preceding Holy Week And Easter holiday, the most important of the multi-day fasts. Due to Easter may fall on different dates of the calendar, Lent also each year starts on different days. It includes 6 weeks, or 40 days, which is why it is also called St. Pentecostal.
Fast for an Orthodox person this is a set of good deeds, sincere prayer, abstinence in everything, including food. Physical fasting is necessary to perform spiritual and mental fasting; all of them in their combination form the post is true, promoting the spiritual reunification of those who fast with God. IN days of fasting(days of fasting) the Church Charter prohibits modest food - meat and dairy products; Fish is allowed only on certain fasting days. IN days of strict fasting Not only fish is not allowed, but any hot food and food cooked in vegetable oil, only cold food without oil and unheated drinks (sometimes called dry eating). In the Russian Orthodox Church there are four multi-day fasts, three one-day fasts and, in addition, fasting on Wednesday and Friday (with the exception of special weeks) throughout the year.
Wednesday and Friday installed as a sign that Christ was betrayed by Judas on Wednesday and crucified on Friday. Saint Athanasius the Great said: “By allowing meat to be eaten on Wednesday and Friday, this man crucifies the Lord.” During the summer and autumn meat-eaters (periods between the Petrov and Uspensky fasts and between the Uspensky and Rozhdestvensky fasts), Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting. During winter and spring meat-eaters (from Christmas to Lent and from Easter to Trinity), the Charter allows fish on Wednesday and Friday. Fish on Wednesday and Friday is also permitted when the holidays of the Presentation of the Lord, the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Temple, the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Apostles Peter and Paul, and the Apostle John the Theologian fall on these days. If the holidays of the Nativity of Christ and Epiphany fall on Wednesday and Friday, then fasting on these days is canceled. On the eve (eve, Christmas Eve) of the Nativity of Christ (usually a day of strict fasting), which happens on Saturday or Sunday, food with vegetable oil is allowed.
Solid weeks(in Church Slavonic, a week is called a week - days from Monday to Sunday) means the absence of fasting on Wednesday and Friday. Established by the Church as a relaxation before a multi-day fast or as a rest after it. The continuous weeks are as follows:
1. Christmas time - from January 7 to January 18 (11 days), from Christmas to Epiphany.
2. The Publican and the Pharisee - two weeks before Great Lent.
3. Cheese - the week before Lent (eggs, fish and dairy are allowed throughout the week, but without meat).
4. Easter (Light) - week after Easter.
5. Trinity - the week after Trinity (the week before Peter's Fast).
One-day posts except Wednesday and Friday (days of strict fasting, no fish, but food with vegetable oil is allowed):
1. Epiphany Eve (Epiphany Eve) January 18, the day before the feast of the Epiphany. On this day, believers prepare themselves to receive the great shrine - Agiasma - Epiphany Holy Water, for purification and consecration with it at the upcoming holiday.
2. Beheading of John the Baptist - September 11. On this day, a fast was established in memory of the abstinent life of the great prophet John and his lawless murder by Herod.
3. Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 27. This day reminds us of the sad event on Golgotha, when “for our salvation” the Savior of the human race suffered on the Cross. And therefore this day must be spent in prayer, fasting, contrition for sins, in a feeling of repentance.
MULTI-DAY POSTS:
1. Great Lent or Holy Pentecost.
It begins seven weeks before the holiday of Holy Easter and consists of Lent (forty days) and Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter). Pentecost was established in honor of the forty-day fast of the Savior Himself, and Holy Week - in remembrance of the last days of earthly life, suffering, death and burial of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The total continuation of Great Lent along with Holy Week is 48 days.
The days from the Nativity of Christ to Lent (until Maslenitsa) are called Christmas or winter meat-eater. This period contains three continuous weeks - Christmastide, Publican and Pharisee, Maslenitsa. After Christmastide, fish is allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays, until the whole week (when you can eat meat on all days of the week), which comes after the “Week of the Publican and the Pharisee” (“week” in Church Slavonic means “Sunday”). In the next week, after the full week, fish is no longer allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but vegetable oil is still allowed. Monday - food with butter, Wednesday, Friday - cold food without butter. This establishment has the purpose of gradual preparation for Great Lent. The last time before Lent, meat is allowed on the “Meat Eating Week” - the Sunday before Maslenitsa.
In the next week - cheese week (Maslenitsa), eggs, fish, and dairy products are allowed all week, but they no longer eat meat. They make a fast for Lent (the last time they eat fast food, with the exception of meat) on the last day of Maslenitsa - Forgiveness Sunday. This day is also called “Cheese Week”.
It is customary to observe the first and Holy Weeks of Great Lent with particular strictness. On Monday of the first week of Lent (Clean Monday), the highest degree of fasting is established - complete abstinence from food (pious laymen with ascetic experience abstain from food on Tuesday as well). During the remaining weeks of fasting: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - cold food without oil, Tuesday, Thursday - hot food without oil (vegetables, cereals, mushrooms), on Saturday and Sunday vegetable oil is allowed and, if necessary for health, a little pure grape wine (but in no case vodka). If the memory of a great saint occurs (with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before), then on Tuesday and Thursday - food with vegetable oil, Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot food without oil. You can find out about the holidays in the Typikon or the Followed Psalter. Fish is allowed twice during the entire fast: on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (if the holiday does not fall on Holy Week) and on Palm Sunday, on Lazarus Saturday (the Saturday before Palm Sunday) fish caviar is allowed, on Friday of Holy Week it is customary not to eat any food until it is taken out shrouds (our ancestors did not eat food at all on Good Friday).
Bright Week (the week after Easter) is continuous - fasting is allowed on all days of the week. Starting from the next week after the continuous week until Trinity (spring meat-eater), fish is allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays. The week between Trinity and Peter's Fast is continuous.
2. Petrov or Apostolic Fast.
Lent begins a week after the feast of the Holy Trinity and ends on July 12, the day of the celebration of the memory of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. Established in honor of the holy apostles and in remembrance of the fact that the holy apostles, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them, dispersed to all countries with the good news, always being in the feat of fasting and prayer. The duration of this fast varies from year to year and depends on the day of Easter. The shortest fast lasts 8 days, the longest - 6 weeks. Fish is allowed during this fast, except on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Monday - hot food without oil, Wednesday and Friday - strict fasting (cold food without oil). On other days - fish, cereals, mushroom dishes with vegetable oil. If the memory of the great saint happens on Monday, Wednesday or Friday - hot food with butter. On the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (July 7), according to the Charter, fish is allowed.
In the period from the end of Peter's fast to the beginning of the Assumption fast (summer meat-eater), Wednesday and Friday are days of strict fasting. But if these days fall on the feasts of a great saint with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before, then food with vegetable oil is allowed. If temple holidays occur on Wednesday and Friday, then fish is also allowed.
3. Assumption Fast (from August 14 to August 27).
Erected in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Mother of God herself, preparing to depart into eternal life, constantly fasted and prayed. We, the spiritually infirm and weak, should all the more resort to fasting as often as possible, turning to the Most Holy Virgin for help in every need and sorrow. This fast lasts only two weeks, but its severity is consistent with the Great One. Fish is allowed only on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 19), and if the end of the fast (Assumption) falls on Wednesday or Friday, then this day is also a fish day. Monday, Wednesday, Friday - cold food without oil, Tuesday and Thursday - hot food without oil, Saturday and Sunday - food with vegetable oil. Wine is prohibited on all days. If the memory of a great saint happens, then on Tuesday and Thursday - hot food with butter, Monday, Wednesday, Friday - hot food without butter.
The food regulations on Wednesdays and Fridays during the period from the end of the Dormition Fast to the beginning of the Nativity Fast (autumn fast) are the same as during the summer meat-eater, i.e. on Wednesdays and Fridays, fish is allowed only on the days of the twelfths and temple holidays. Food with vegetable oil on Wednesday and Friday is allowed only if these days fall on holidays in memory of a great saint with an all-night vigil or a polyeleos service the day before.
4. Christmas (Filippov) fast (from November 28 to January 6).
This fast was established on the day of the Nativity of Christ, so that we could cleanse ourselves at this time with repentance, prayer and fasting and with a pure heart we would meet the Savior who appeared in the world. Sometimes this fast is called Philippov, as a sign that it begins after the day of celebration of the memory of the Apostle Philip (November 27). The regulations regarding food during this Lent coincide with the regulations of Petrov's Fast until St. Nicholas Day (December 19). If the holidays of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 4) and St. Nicholas fall on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, then fish is allowed. From the day of remembrance of St. Nicholas until the pre-festival of Christmas, which begins on January 2, fish is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday. On the pre-celebration of the Nativity of Christ, fasting is observed in the same way as during the days of Great Lent: fish is prohibited on all days, food with butter is allowed only on Saturday and Sunday. On Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve), January 6, pious custom requires not to eat food until the appearance of the first evening star, after which it is customary to eat kolivo or sochivo - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins; in some areas sochivo is called boiled dry fruits with sugar. The name of this day comes from the word “sochivo” - Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is also before the feast of the Epiphany. On this day (January 18), it is also customary not to eat food until taking Agiasma - Epiphany holy water, which begins to be blessed on the very day of Christmas Eve.
Fasting is an integral part of the Christian faith. This is a voluntary refusal of mental and physical saturation. In other words, abstinence. At such a time, a person limits himself in pleasures, amusements, food and drinks for the sake of prayer and godly deeds. In Orthodox Christianity, fasting times are equated to holidays. Sometimes the number of fasting days reaches two hundred.
Basic information
Every year, all Christian believers observe 4 multi-day and 3 one-day fasts. All alone are equated with the great celebrations of the church. Also, the tradition of fasting on Fridays and Wednesdays has survived to this day. The exception was the days of continuous weeks, when you cannot limit yourself from food.
Modest nutrition is considered an important component of any fast, although against the backdrop of spiritual cleansing it is only a kind of addition to complete harmony with oneself. At the same time, very often switching to eating more modest food improves human health. It should be remembered that during any fast without exception, it is prohibited to eat food of animal origin: meat, fish and eggs. Under no circumstances should you consume dairy products: sour cream, kefir, butter, fermented baked milk, etc. Also, during fasting, you should not eat fatty desserts, fast food and sweet pastries. It’s also a good idea to limit the consumption of salt, spices in dishes and sugar. But alcohol in the form of unfortified wine is allowed only on Saturdays and Sundays, or on the days of remembrance of saints.
You can also mark a diet such as dry eating on the calendar. 
This means that a person must refuse any food that has previously been cooked. Most often, this diet includes bread, dried fruits, honey, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables. Typically, dry eating is used during fasting only by Old Believers and monks. In the world, such abstinence is inherent in priests.
The rest period between fasts is called meat-eaters and it is better to know in advance what date it begins. During this time, it is allowed to use food of animal origin. A person absolutely needs a meat-eater so that the body can restore the necessary level of protein in the body and the most important vitamins. True, you shouldn’t be too fanatical about it, and indulge in gluttony at any opportunity. After abstinence, sudden overeating of fatty and sweet foods can lead to a sharp jump in blood sugar.
Post calendar
Lent – 27.02-15.04
The most important fast in 2017 for all Christians. It precedes the Easter holiday and honors the memory of Jesus Christ. On weekdays, food can be taken only once a day, cold (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or warm (Thursday, Tuesday). On weekends, you can eat twice a day and even drink unfortified wine. Such strict rules of abstinence must be observed especially carefully in the first and last week of this fast. On February 27, as well as on April 14 and 15, eating is not allowed at all. If you cannot fast for health reasons, you should simply eat only vegetables, nuts and unprocessed fruits. 
Hot food with butter can only be consumed on the days of remembrance of great saints, which usually fall on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. If such holidays fall on Wednesday or Thursday, you should not add oil to your food, although you can drink wine. But you can eat fish on April 7, on the day of the Annunciation, and on April 9, when Palm Sunday takes place in 2017.
1. Monday – dry eating.
3. Wednesday – dry eating.
5. Friday – dry eating.
Petrov post – 12.06-11.07
The main difference between the Petrine Fast and the Great Fast is the possibility of eating fish. This post is dedicated to the memory of Peter and Paul - two disciples of Christ. The period of abstinence should begin 7 days after Trinity, while the diet itself will no longer be as strict as during Lent. For example, on Monday you can use hot food with butter. On the birthday of Ion the Baptist, June 7, you can add fish to your diet. It is better to serve seafood to the table boiled, baked or stewed. But the church strictly prohibits fried fish. On weekends you can drink some wine.
2. Tuesday – fish dishes.
3. Wednesday – dry eating.
4. Thursday – fish dishes.
5. Friday – dry eating.
6. Saturday – fish dishes.
This post was established by the church in honor of the Virgin Mary. In 2017, believers will honor the memory of this saint through restrictions on food and entertainment. During the two-week fast, the diet is quite simple. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, only cold dry food is allowed, while on all other days hot food without oil is allowed.
August 19 – the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is considered fish day. This day is called the Savior, of which there are only 3 in the Orthodox calendar.
1. August 14 – Honey Savior or the Origin of the Holy Cross. On this day, the products of apiaries are blessed in the church, which can be freely consumed on this day.
2. August 19 – Apple Savior or Transfiguration of the Lord. On this holiday, fruits are brought to church, which must be included in the diet.
1. Monday – dry eating.
2. Tuesday – hot food without adding oil.
3. Wednesday – dry eating.
4. Thursday – hot food without adding oil.
5. Friday – dry eating.
6. Saturday – hot food with butter.
7. Sunday – hot food with butter.
Nativity Fast – 28.11-06.01
Winter Lent coincides with the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. The period of long abstinence begins on Philip's day and ends on Bright Christmas Eve. In the first week of fasting, the menu completely coincides with Peter's fast. True, fish is strictly prohibited at this time.
December 4 marks the Entry of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple - a great holiday, in honor of which we can only serve fish dishes, hot food with butter and wine. After Nikolai, fish was again excluded from the diet. But after the New Year 2017, oil can be added to food only on weekends. On January 6, you should abstain from food throughout the day until the first star appears in the sky. On this day it is better to pray and drink water. Kutia is usually prepared for a festive dinner, and uzvar is used as a drink. 
1. Monday – hot food without adding oil.
2. Tuesday – fish dishes.
3. Wednesday – dry eating.
4. Thursday – fish dishes.
5. Friday – dry eating.
6. Saturday – fish dishes.
7. Sunday – fish dishes.
1. Monday – hot food without adding oil.
2. Tuesday – hot food with butter.
3. Wednesday – dry eating.
4. Thursday – hot food with butter.
5. Friday – dry eating.
6. Saturday – fish dishes.
7. Sunday – fish dishes.
From January 2 to January 6
1. Monday – dry eating. 
2. Tuesday – hot food without adding oil.
3. Wednesday – dry eating.
4. Thursday – hot food without adding oil.
5. Friday – dry eating.
6. Saturday – hot food with butter.
7. Sunday – hot food with butter.
Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays
Both Wednesday and Friday are considered weekly one-day fasts. Abstaining from food on Wednesday commemorates the betrayal of Christ by Judas, and on Fridays people commemorate the torment of Christ on the cross. On these days, it is strictly forbidden to consume any food of animal origin. If any of these days falls on the day of remembrance of some saint, then the ban on eating food with vegetable oil is lifted. On major Christian holidays, you can also add fish to your diet. Another restriction regarding food is lifted during the period of Continuous Weeks:
- January 7-18 – Christmastide period;
- February 6-12 – Week of the Publican and the Pharisee;
- February 20-26 – Maslenitsa or Cheese Week, when you can’t eat meat;
- April 17-23 – Bright or Easter Week;
- June 5-11 – Trinity Week.
One-day posts
There are 3 additional holidays in the Orthodox calendar when you also need to fast. Believers should not eat food of animal origin or fish during this time. But hot food with vegetable oil is allowed.
1. January 18 - Christmas Eve before Epiphany. On this day, you should prepare for the upcoming holiday, not eat or drink until the candle is taken out of the church after the morning liturgy. On this day it is also customary to cook kutya and uzvar. All other dishes on the table must be lean, while their total number must be seven, nine or twelve.
2. September 11 – Beheading of John the Baptist. On this day in 2017, all Orthodox Christians commemorate the death of John the Baptist, whose head was cut off by order of King Herod. On this day you cannot cut anything, so any dish should be prepared in advance. Also, you should not place food in round dishes on the table. Usually these days people prefer to eat pies, oatmeal jelly and mushroom soup.
3. September 27 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross. On this day, Christians around the world commemorate Jesus Christ, who was tortured on the cross. Also at this time in 2017 it is prohibited to eat food of animal origin. 
It is worth noting that there are some groups of believers for whom the prohibitions during Lent may be slightly relaxed. These are pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under 14 years of age. Elderly and sick people, as well as all those who engage in heavy physical labor, can also count on relief. True, before this you should still talk to your spiritual mentor in advance.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that fasting is mainly aimed at repentance and humility, so even if you cannot refuse some food, just pray. Believe me, you will always be heard.
Published 02/26/17 12:47What date does Lent begin in 2017, the nutrition calendar by day, what you can and cannot eat - read about all this in the Topnews material.
Lent in 2017: what date begins and ends
On February 27, 2017, Orthodox Christians begin the most “important” and strict fast. Lent will last until Easter, which falls on April 16 this year. And this weekend ends Maslenitsa - the preparatory period for fasting.
It is not by chance that it is called preparatory. In order to smoothly enter into fasting, you need to prepare properly - for which it is not recommended to lean on the days before the start of Lent intkbbach for heavy and fatty foods. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the body to quickly adapt, and this can lead to big problems with the stomach and intestines.
The services of the first week of Lent will also be special and different from other days. For example, from Monday to Thursday every evening Great Compline is celebrated with the reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.
The upcoming fast itself is considered the strictest; believers must give up many foods.
Lent 2017: what you can eat and what you can’t
The first and main rule of Lent states that Orthodox Christians during this period should not consume meat products of animal origin. Not only meat, but also any milk and dairy products, eggs and other products of animal origin remain prohibited.
The first and last weeks of abstinence from fast food are especially strict; Friday, Monday and Wednesday are also strictly observed, since during this period you can only eat raw foods that have not been cooked.
In addition, three days a week, meals must be moved to the evening after sunset.
On Tuesday and Thursday, food is also consumed only once a day, and meals are taken after sunset, although eating hot dishes is quite permitted here, but even on this day you will have to refrain from adding oil to dishes.
On weekends, it becomes a little easier to observe fasting, since there are some relaxations; if desired, a little vegetable oil is added to dishes, food is allowed to be cooked in the oven or on the stove, in addition, Orthodox Christians can afford a couple of glasses of wine per day.
There is also Holy Week, it is considered the most strict, since after it the celebration of Great Easter occurs. Orthodox Christians should be especially strict about Friday this week, since Good Friday implies a complete refusal of food, you can only drink clean water.
If it is not possible to completely give up food, you should try a raw food diet.
Well, the simplest days during Lent are Palm Sunday and the Annunciation, since these days are considered holidays, when housewives can serve fish dishes.
There are other days when there is a slight relaxation of the diet, for example, if Lent falls on one of the days of the great holy martyr, then an Orthodox Christian can afford hot dishes seasoned with a small amount of vegetable oil.
So, during Lent, the following are completely prohibited: meat, milk, eggs, cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, animal butter, butter bread and pastries. It is not necessary to completely abandon flour products, the main thing is that they do not contain milk or eggs, but only water, flour and salt.
You can eat: vegetables, fruits, cereals, legumes, mushrooms, and on some days - fish and caviar.
Sweets are also allowed, but only if they are made without adding milk, for example, dark chocolate, honey and sugar.
Lent 2017: nutrition calendar by day (table)
According to church canons, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday food is eaten only cold, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays hot food is allowed without oil.
On Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to vegetable oil, you can sip a little wine. It is not allowed only on Saturday of Holy Week.
The tradition of following Great Lent, which begins before Easter and ends with its last day, originates in Ancient Rus'. This tradition has been preserved among Christians to this day. Orthodox believers adhere to the rules of Fasting to express respect for Heaven and to cleanse the body and soul of various sinful thoughts.
What date does Lent begin before Easter in 2017?
The beginning of Lent falls on Saturday, February 27th. The end of the strict restriction will occur before the onset of Easter, namely on April 15. The celebration of Great Easter itself will take place on April 16, 2017.
Let us remember that Great Lent has always been considered by Christians to be the most important, strict and long-term restriction in food. At the same time, it should be remembered that restrictions apply not only to food intake, but also impose bans on familiar areas of life. The purpose of this restriction is to prepare the physical body and inner spirit for the celebration of Easter.
Fasting involves complete renunciation of human passions, which often lead people to negative situations in life. Lent before Easter 2017 means the respect of believers for the feat of Christ, who in the name of the people starved and lived in the desert for 40 days.
Christ, by his example, showed all believers that within 40 days one can renounce the earthly blessings that are familiar to everyone, and thereby eliminate sinful thoughts and devilish tricks from the soul.
During these 40 days, believers must not only observe Lent, but must also read prayers and attend sacred services, thereby drawing closer to God.
Fasting before Easter in 2017 in Russia is scheduled for the period from February 27 to April 15. All this time, believers are supposed to follow strict and important rules of Christian life.
It should be clarified that the duration of Strict abstinence is 48 days. This entire period is divided into 4 parts:
- initial 40 days - Pentecost;
- festive celebration - Lazarus Saturday (6th Saturday during the entire duration of Lent);
- the entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (better known as Palm Sunday) - the 6th Sunday during the entire period of Strict Lent;
- Holy Week.
Meals during Lent
Throughout Lent, it is strictly forbidden to eat food of animal origin: all dairy and fermented milk products, meat dishes, eggs, all types of animal fat and oil;
In the first week after the start, it is forbidden to eat any food or enjoy only raw vegetables;
The last week of Lent is similar to the initial period; it is also harsh and quite strict;
On all Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, believers are allowed to eat only once a day. In this case, the food must be raw, and vegetable oils cannot be added to prepared dishes;
On Tuesdays and Thursdays you are also allowed to eat once in a full day. It is best to eat in the evenings. However, these days the food can be hot, that is, cooked by thermal influence;
Weekend periods can be spent in a little relaxation. At such moments, it is allowed to eat food to which vegetable oil is added. You can also drink 2 glasses of red wine;
On the final Saturday before the end of Lent, it is not recommended to eat at all. Believers spend the entire day on water alone;
On the Friday before the end of Abstinence, food is also not recommended;
On holidays, which are observed throughout the duration of the Strict Restriction, you are allowed to enjoy boiled fish. Such holiday dates are the Annunciation and Palm Resurrection;
Last week of Lent
The beginning of Lent before Easter in 2017 is set for February 27. Believers must adhere to Christian standards. But the last week of Strict abstinence is considered the most responsible and important. It is filled with various Orthodox rituals and traditions.
On Monday it is necessary to do a complete cleaning and get rid of unnecessary trash;
On Tuesday, Christians usually prepare festive clothes for the celebration, as well as prepare fresh bed linen;
On Wednesday you should complete all necessary work on your own home. Believers prepare eggs for dyeing, stock up on paintings and paints;
Thursday is the time to devote to baking sacred cakes. The process of preparing Easter cakes is necessarily accompanied by prayers. On the same day, Christians wash and take a steam bath; it is very important to cleanse the surface of the body from all kinds of sins and other contaminants;
Friday is spent in complete restriction from everything. You cannot eat, have fun, sing songs, or communicate on funny topics. This day is best devoted to reading prayers;
Saturday is the most troublesome day; at this moment it is necessary to prepare holiday dishes, paint eggs, and stock up on a festive mood.
