Lent: meals by day with recipes and a complete list of lean foods. What can you eat during Lent: how to properly observe Lent before Easter, what foods are prohibited and allowed by day? Examples of delicious and satisfying Lenten recipes for every day

What you can eat during Lent 2018 by day is of interest mainly to those who decided to join this religious Orthodox event for the first time. In this material we will tell you in detail what and when you can eat on the days of the main and longest fast.

In addition, let us pay special attention to the possibility of a significant relaxation of the severity of fasting for beginners and the weakened, which is provided by the Church Charter. For simplicity and clarity, we will describe what you can eat during Lent 2018 day by day, providing a short nutrition calendar, as well as some Lenten recipes.

Church leaders tirelessly explain to believers that the essence of any Orthodox fast, and especially Great Lent, is not at all of a purely dietary nature. During the days of Great Lent, the believer must do a great deal of work on himself, fulfilling other instructions of the church.

Lent nutrition calendar

Restriction in food is not an end in itself, but only part of the believer’s involvement in the Great Feat of Christ, accomplished for the sake of all people. On these days, every Orthodox Christian is also obliged to:

be humble. Do not become despondent, maintain an even and calm state of mind, without anger, envy, deception and malice;
regularly and often visit the temple, participate in divine services;
pray constantly. In church, at home, and even mentally, always turn to God, comparing your deeds and actions with him;
perform repentance. God can forgive any sin if the believer who committed it sincerely repents of what he has done and strives to atone for his guilt through prayers and repentance before the Lord and himself;
help the poor and needy. This could be significant help, if it is possible to provide it, or it could just be alms, as a sign that you empathize with the person.

About the post itself

The duration of Lent does not change annually; it lasts exactly 7 weeks, ending with the festive Easter Sunday, which in 2018 falls on April 8.

The start date of fasting changes every year, as it is tied to the day of Great Easter; this year the period of long fasting falls on the period from February 19 to April 7.

The Church Charter establishes the structure of Lent, which is clearly divided into two important parts:

Pentecost;
Holy Week (last week before Easter).

What can you eat during Lent 2018 by day on strict days? Dietary restrictions during the first four days of Lent and Holy Week are characterized by the highest degree of severity. The Church Charter establishes three degrees of severity:

strict fast It is prohibited to consume all products of animal origin, meat, milk and dairy products, eggs, fish, seafood;
fast. All animal products, meat, milk and dairy products are prohibited. Fish is allowed on church holidays, seafood too;
food without meat. All foods except meat are allowed. This type of food is common in all monasteries.

Features of Lent in 2018:

The church holiday of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on the day of Holy Week, Saturday.

How strict is it to fast?

If you have decided to hold Lent for the first time, you should first:

consult with a priest or your confessor;
if you have health problems, consult a doctor;
prepare the body to comply with food restrictions in advance of the fast.

A very easy option for beginners is also possible, which consists of simply giving up animal products during Lent:

meat;
milk;
dairy products;

Strict fasting, accompanied by strict rules regarding food intake and its preparation, is observed today only by members of the clergy and monks.

To God, you must demonstrate your diligence in other more important areas, which are listed above.

Main list of permitted products

We have already listed which products are prohibited for consumption during Lent; all others are considered permitted. The main list of foods that should definitely be included in your diet on fasting days:

bread and flour products prepared without eggs, milk and butter;
various cereals;
vegetables, both fresh preserved and canned without oil;
fruits and dried fruits;
legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas, etc.);
nuts, various;
mushrooms;
soy products.

Fish and seafood are allowed:

on Palm Sunday, April 1;
on Lazarus Saturday, March 31st.

On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is also allowed to eat fish, but only in those years when this holiday does not fall on Holy Week, as in 2018. Therefore, this year we will have to observe the usual fast for the Annunciation.

Red wine, natural, without added alcohol, is allowed on holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, except Saturday of Holy Week, April 7.

The most important thing is that on fasting days you need to pay maximum attention to a varied diet. If you do not neglect this rule, you can not only avoid the negative impact of food restrictions on your health, but also strengthen it. With a balanced menu consisting of lean foods, it is quite possible to receive all the necessary nutrients.

Rules for eating

What can you eat during Lent 2018 by day, if the Church Charter establishes that with strict, monastic observance of fasting, you can eat only once a day - in the evening.

On Saturdays and Sundays you can eat twice a day - morning and evening.

Restrictions are imposed not only on what and when to eat, but also on the cooking process itself. So you can eat hot (cooked) food on strictly defined days:

Tuesday;
Thursday.

Food taken cold (dry diet) is:

Monday;
Wednesday;
Friday.

How to eat on dry days

On the days of dry eating, which form the basis of Lent, it is allowed to eat uncooked food that has not been cooked over fire. Standard list of products for these days:

lean bread;
water;
vegetables and fruits;
dried fruits;
greenery;
nuts.

In addition, it is quite possible to prepare yourself “cold” porridge from oatmeal and buckwheat, pouring water or boiling water over it.

An approximate list of dishes to eat on raw food days:

vegetable and fruit salads with the addition of chopped nuts, honey and lemon juice;
“cold” cereals;
muesli seasoned with boiling water;
dessert bars made from ground nuts, dried fruits, honey and bran;
cold soups (gazpacho, okroshka without eggs and sour cream);
jelly from a ground mixture of flaxseeds and sesame seeds, filled with water or boiling water.

In addition, you can drink tea and coffee (which does not require cooking).

Meals on days of strict fasting

The highest degree of severity is characterized by the first and Holy (last) weeks of Lent. Nutrition on these days should be adjusted in accordance with the Church Charter with special care.

Monday – refusal of food, you can only drink water;
Tuesday – in addition to water, some bread is allowed;
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday – dry food;
Sunday – hot Lenten food with the addition of vegetable oil, a little red natural wine without alcohol.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – dry eating;
Friday – complete abstinence from food, only water;
Saturday – dry eating after the 1st star.

Meals during Lent according to calendar days

02, Mon – abstinence;
02, Tue – dry eating;
02, Wed – dry eating;
02, Thu – dry eating;
02 Fri – dry eating;
02, sun – hot with butter;
02, Mon – dry eating;
02, Tue – hot food without oil;
02, Wed – dry eating;
03, Fri – dry eating;
02, Sat – hot food with butter;
03, Mon – dry eating;
03, Wed – dry eating;
03, Thu – hot food without oil;
03, Fri – dry eating;
03, Sun – hot food with butter;
03, Mon – dry eating;
03, Tue – hot food without oil;
03, Wed – dry eating;
03, Thu – hot food without oil;
03, Fri – dry eating;
03, Sat – hot food with butter;
03, Sun – hot food with butter;
03, Mon – dry eating;
03, Tue – hot food without oil;
03, Wed – dry eating;
03, Thu – hot food without oil;
03, Fri – dry eating;
03, Sat – hot food with butter;
03, Sun – hot food with butter;
03, Mon – dry eating;
03, Tue – hot food without oil;
03, Wed – dry eating;
03, Thu – hot food without oil;
03, Fri – dry eating;
03, Sat, Lazarev Saturday – hot food with butter, fish, seafood;
04, Sun – Palm Sunday – hot food with butter, fish, seafood;
04, Mon – dry eating;
04, Tue – dry eating;
04, Wed – dry eating;
04, Thu – dry eating;
04, Fri – refusal of food, water;
04 Sat – dry eating after 1st star.

Menu of Lenten dishes

We described above how to eat on dry days; on the remaining days of Lent, you can use the suggested recipes.

First meal:

pea soup with butter and tomato paste;
lentil soup with olive oil and mushrooms;
borscht with sauerkraut;
tomato gazpacho;
beetroot soup with butter and walnuts;
soup – pumpkin puree with croutons;
noodles with mushrooms and onions.

Second courses:

oatmeal porridge with butter and dried fruits;
buckwheat porridge with ketchup and tofu cheese;
buckwheat porridge with mushrooms and onions;
millet porridge with honey and dried fruits;
rice porridge with prunes;
spelled porridge with soy milk;
champignon balls;
red lentil meatballs;
pilaf with mushrooms and eggplants in a slow cooker;
vegetables baked in foil with mushrooms;
risotto with corn and green peas;
spaghetti Bolognese with soy mince;
potato zrazy with mushrooms in the oven;
stewed squid;
peppers stuffed with mushrooms and onions;
chickpeas with vegetables;
manti with mushrooms and onions.

You can also create an impressive list of various vegetable and fruit salads, as well as dessert dishes.

However, it should be remembered that Lent was established in order to divert a person’s attention from receiving any pleasures, and direct his thoughts to improving his inner world.

Therefore, food should be simply prepared, without much imagination or frills, but varied enough to support the body during the cold season.

Lent 2019 is considered the central (main) fast in the Orthodox church calendar, which is preparation for the onset of the main holiday of the religious world - Easter.

In the liturgical year, this period is characterized primarily by special services, prayers, repentance and remembrance of the life and death of Jesus Christ. Lent was established in honor of the 40-day fast that the Savior observed in the desert.

Great Lent is the path to the Bright holiday of Great Easter, through which a believer must pass, keeping himself in strictness. The ban is imposed not only on eating food, but it is also prohibited to spend this time in fun and pleasure. Great Lent is one of the strictest fasts in the church calendar; it begins seven weeks before Easter and consists of forty days (Quentary Day) and a week before Easter (Holy Week). Pentecost is celebrated in honor of the fact that Jesus Christ fasted in the desert for forty days, and Holy Week (week) commemorates the life of Christ in the last days of his life, His crucifixion and resurrection.

March 11 - 17, 2019, 1 week (week) of Lent

The first week of Lent is called “Fedorov’s Week.” At this time, it is customary to remember all the defenders of the Orthodox faith.

11.03 Monday – refusal of food, water;
12.03 Tuesday – lean bread, water;
Wednesday 13.03 – dry eating;
14.03 Thursday – dry eating;
15.03 Friday – boiled food without adding oil;
16.03 Saturday – boiled food with vegetable oil, a little red natural wine;
17.03 Sunday – boiled food with butter, wine.

The term “dry eating” means food made from approved foods that have not undergone heat treatment.

February 26 – March 4, 2nd week (week) of Lent

It takes place under the church honoring of St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki.

18.03 Monday – dry eating;
19.03 Tuesday – boiled food uncooked;
Wednesday 20.03 – dry eating;
21.03 Thursday – boiled food uncooked;
22.03 Friday – dry eating;
23.03 Saturday – boiled food with vegetable oil, wine;
24.03 Sunday – boiled food with vegetable oil, wine.

March 25 – 31, 2019, 3rd week (week) of Lent

“Worship of the Cross”, services are held in churches exalting the main symbol of the Christian faith - the cross. In every church there is a ceremonial removal of the cross from the altar.

25.03 Monday – dry eating;
26.03 Tuesday – boiled food without oil;
Wednesday 27.03 – dry eating;
28.03 Thursday – boiled food uncooked;
29.03 Friday – dry eating;
30.03 Saturday – boiled food with added butter, wine;
31.03 Sunday – boiled food with butter, wine.

April 1 – 7, 2019, 4th week (week) of Lent

St. John Climacus is worshiped in churches.

The important Christian holiday of the Annunciation falls this week. According to the church charter, if such holidays fall on days of fasting, then relief is provided for those fasting. On the day of the Annunciation, it is allowed to eat hot boiled food with vegetable oil, fish and a little red natural wine.

Meals by day:

1.04 Monday – dry eating;
2.04 Tuesday – boiled food uncooked;
3.04 Wednesday – dry eating;
4.04 Thursday – boiled food uncooked;
5.04 Friday – dry eating;
6.04 Saturday – boiled food with vegetable oil;
7.04 Sunday, Annunciation - boiled food with vegetable oil, fish and seafood, red natural wine.

April 8 - 14, 2019, 5th week (week) of Lent in 2019

Venerable Mary of Egypt, whose life became edifying for all believers, saying that the path to God can be paved through sincere repentance.

This week of Lent in 2019 marks another of the main church holidays, Palm Sunday, with the corresponding reliefs permitted by the charter for those fasting.

Meal calendar by day:

8.04 Monday – dry eating;
9.04 Tuesday – boiled food uncooked;
Wednesday 10.04 – dry eating;
11.04 Thursday – boiled food uncooked;
12.04 Friday – dry eating;
13.04 Saturday – boiled food with vegetable oil, a little wine;
14.04 Sunday – boiled food with butter, wine.

April 15 - 21, 2019 - 6th week (week) of Lent in 2019

“Palm branches” glorifies the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.

Meals by day:

15.04 Monday – dry eating;
16.04 Tuesday – boiled food uncooked;
Wednesday 17.04 – dry eating;
18.04 Thursday – boiled food uncooked;
19.04 Friday – dry eating;
20.04 Saturday – boiled food with butter, red caviar, wine;
21.04 Sunday, Palm Sunday - boiled food with butter, fish, wine.

April 22 - 28, 2019 - 7th week (week) of Lent in 2019, Holy Week

Holy Week, every day of which is filled with important events described in the Holy Scriptures. In just one week, Christ experienced all human passions from love and worship to betrayal, was captured and thrown into prison, crucified, died and buried, and finally, a miraculous bright resurrection.

Each day of Holy Week was canonized by the Universal Church and received the name Holy Day.

Meals by day:
During this week, the strictest fast is established; you can eat only once in the evening, after the first star appears in the sky. The main question this week can only be, is it possible to eat at all? The clergy answer that it is possible, but the food must be very meager.

22.04 Monday – dry eating;
23.04 Tuesday – dry eating;
Wednesday 24.04 – dry eating;
Thursday 25.04 – dry eating;
04/26 Friday – refusal of food, associated with the sorrowful last hours of Christ’s life;
27.04 Saturday – dry eating;
04/28 Sunday, Feast of the Resurrection of Christ - Meat eater, all restrictions on food intake are lifted.

It is important to break the fast correctly, restoring the usual diet and amount of food gradually, finding out when you can eat certain “heavy” foods from nutritionists. However, we can immediately say that in order not to harm your health, in the first days it is better to give preference to fish rather than meat.

Great Lent 2019, what you can eat by day, nutrition calendar: the point of fasting is not to limit food, this is not the main goal

During Lent, it is not recommended to eat food of animal origin - meat, eggs, milk. However, it is allowed to eat fish, but only on the holidays of Palm Resurrection and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Eating seafood such as squid, shrimp, and mussels is not prohibited during Lent.

But we should not forget that Great Lent is not an Orthodox diet, and the purpose of fasting is not so much to cleanse the stomach as to cleanse the human soul.

The purpose of Fasting is to get closer to God. Throw away everything petty, the bustle of life, its extra noise. Fasting provides an opportunity to rise above the hustle and bustle. Food restrictions are just one of the issues. This is also prayer, often communion, reading spiritual literature. And during these 40 days, a person must feel the spiritual dimension and feel God.

Lent is one of the most important periods for almost all believers. The menu is compiled taking into account the permitted products, but at the same time it must be tasty, healthy and nutritious. What you can eat by day, the Lent 2019 menu deserves special attention.

Features of Lent
Meat and fish
Eggs

Features of the list of permitted and prohibited products

During fasting, food should be varied and simple. It is recommended to avoid fried foods, limit heat treatment, eliminate sugar and salt, and spices. It is preferable to cook boiled, steamed food or use a grill.

A good basis for the diet is boiled, stewed and baked vegetables and fruits. It is advisable to choose different fruits and vegetables, as they have a pleasant taste and nutritional composition.

Another important component of the diet is porridge. It is advisable to cook porridge with plain water and avoid adding oil.

Products with plant protein deserve attention. Lay people give up meat, milk and eggs, choosing foods with a high content of plant protein, since this approach can guarantee the supply of all the important nutrients to support the human body.

Features of Lent

Lent begins on March 11th and will last for 7 weeks. The most important thing is to think over a Lenten menu that includes plant foods. The amount of food consumed must be reduced. Fasting is associated with days, weeks and religious holidays, so the laity change their diet and the degree of its severity. Monks follow the rules of fasting without exception for all 7 weeks, so it is for them that the diet will be less varied.

All people should remember what they can eat by day, the menu for Lent 2019. In any case, fasting requires a mandatory reduction in the amount of food consumed in order to comply with dietary restrictions.

Monastic Christians, unlike ordinary lay people, refuse food completely on appropriate days or eat in small portions. Even water is under restrictions.

Doctors note that lack of water consumption leads to serious and unwanted disorders in the human body. This must be avoided, so the drinking regime remains the same. However, it is advisable to give up alcohol, tea and coffee, choosing water and fruit drinks.

On non-holiday days of fasting, it is necessary to avoid most foods that have undergone heat treatment. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, it is advisable to give preference to fresh food, so the strictest restrictions are imposed on these days. On Tuesday and Thursday, thermally processed dishes are allowed, which are prepared only from permitted products. Despite dietary restrictions, it is advisable to choose food that will contribute to the appearance of energy and strength, and the supply of nutrients.

Weekends are traditionally considered holidays. For this reason, on Saturday and Sunday you can eat more and use a small amount of vegetable oil. To diversify your diet, you can use olive oil, but in any case you should not indulge your taste preferences. Fasting is a period of food restrictions aimed at maintaining mental strength.

Features of Lenten nutrition on Annunciation and Palm Sunday

On Annunciation and Palm Sunday you are allowed to cook fish dishes. For example, preference is given to Lenten pie, porridge with fish, fish soup, baked or boiled fish with sauce or lemon juice. Some people make allowances, taking into account their health status, to eat fish or caviar on Friday and Sunday.

The Lenten menu should be balanced. The supply of nutrients plays an important role, since each person must focus on the characteristics of his health, the activity of his lifestyle and the need for certain vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The Lenten menu should not be taken with a burden, since it is extremely important to take care of the possibility of obtaining useful substances, maintaining health and cleansing the soul of negative emotions.

During Lent it is necessary to adhere to abstinence for everyone. If you cannot give up prohibited foods, it is advisable to reduce the amount of food consumed. In any case, it is advisable to abandon feasts and gala dinners, since this approach is more important than any dietary restrictions.

Basic rules of Holy Week

Fact! Holy Week is the last 6 days of Lent, and each day is usually called great. The Lenten menu will be stricter, and festive liturgies are held daily in the church. Every day is associated with an important religious event. It is advisable to take into account what you can eat by day, the menu for Lent 2019, when thinking through the diet for all subsequent weeks at once.

Particularly strict restrictions apply in the first week. You are allowed to eat only in the evening. Only on Saturday and Sunday you can eat twice, namely in the afternoon and in the evening. On weekends, you can use a small amount of vegetable oil to season your food and drink a glass of red wine. In this case, Monday, Wednesday and Friday will be dry eating days.

In the second week there will be certain relaxations regarding dietary restrictions. Dry eating in 2019 will be March 18, 20, 22. Hot food without oil is allowed on March 19 and 21. On March 23 and 24, you are allowed to use vegetable oil for dressing and drink a glass of red wine.

The third and fourth weeks are a period of the same menu. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, dry eating is recommended, but on other days heat treatment of foods is allowed.
The fifth and sixth weeks are carried out according to the same schemes.

However, Saturday of the sixth week is called Lazarus, as it focuses the attention of believers on the resurrection of the righteous Lazarus by Christ. In addition, Palm Sunday is celebrated on April 21, 2019, since Jesus Christ came to Jerusalem. It is on Palm Sunday that believers traditionally drink wine and eat fish and seafood.

The last, seventh week is the period when Jesus Christ suffered for the benefit of all mankind in the last days of his earthly life. It is during this period that the most stringent dietary restrictions must be observed. The seventh week ends with a bright holiday, namely Easter. At this time, it is impossible to hold baptisms and weddings, celebrate celebrations and even remember deceased people.

It should be noted that 22, 24 are days of dry eating. On April 23 and 25, you can eat hot dishes without oil once a day. April 26 is the day when it is recommended to abstain from food or limit yourself to bread and water. On April 27, the last day of fasting, abstinence from food is also required.
It is according to this scheme that Lent is carried out, which is aimed at dietary restrictions and strengthening the spirit of believers.

How to replace prohibited products

During Lent, it is advisable to think about analogues of prohibited foods to obtain nutrients.

Meat and fish

People with moderate physical activity consume about 100 grams of protein for men, 70 grams for women. Animal protein is replaced with vegetable protein. They prefer beans, peas, soybeans and lentils, nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and dried mushrooms. It is recommended to eat 200 grams of similar foods high in vegetable protein every day.

Milk and fermented milk products

Calcium is one of the most important substances in milk and fermented milk products. If you refuse such products, a replacement in the form of poppy seeds is recommended, as it has an optimal composition. If desired, you can include sesame seeds and various greens in your diet, because they are also rich in calcium. To obtain the optimal amount of calcium, you can eat 50 grams of dried apricots per day. It is these foods that are considered one of the healthiest for the laity.

Eggs

Eggs are a nutritious product that contains vitamins A, B, D, E. Partial replacement of eggs with wholemeal bran and cereal bread, dried chanterelles and morels is allowed. You can also choose sprouted wheat grains, rye and oats. Soy cheese tofu is as close as possible in its composition to egg.

Such analogues of prohibited products deserve the attention of people who fast to successfully obtain all the beneficial substances.

What you can eat by day, the menu for Lent 2019 must be taken into account in order to comply with food restrictions without unnecessary risks to the human body and improve your mental state.

The first week of Lent is the strictest and most difficult of all. We will talk about strictness a little lower, but severe - because the human body is quite inert and adjustment to a new diet is given to most people with great difficulty.

What can you eat during the first week of Lent?

According to the strictest, ancient monastic rules, for the first four days of the first week of Lent, the monks ate nothing at all, even limiting themselves to water. But you need to understand that several hundred years ago people were incomparably stronger. And fasting was given to them so that the body would weaken and not react so ardently to the sexual call of spring. Modern people do not need this at all (the sales volumes of sexual stimulants are convincing proof of this). Therefore, for those who still want to observe the strictest possible fast, the abbots advise that during the first week of Lent they eat plant foods, but even without vegetable oil. Food can be either cold (vegetable or fruit salads) or hot (first and second hot courses).

However, none of the spiritual shepherds interprets Lent as abstaining from food. And what ordinary people usually put in first place, they push back not even to the second, but to the fourth or fifth place. And they warn against the emergence of pride: “I fast, no, I fast very strictly, which means I am better than many.” In this case, it’s better to eat whatever you want.

Dejection, melancholy and constant irritation are also not at all what is needed. “Consider Lent as an opportunity to test yourself for physical and spiritual strength. It doesn't matter what you cut out of your diet - meat, eggs, milk or your favorite risotto. It's easy for some people to give up meat, but giving up sweets is a challenge! It doesn’t matter what kind of food you stop eating, as long as this restriction does not obscure the main thing,” this is, in a brief summary, the main message of spiritual shepherds.

What not to do during the first week of Lent

During the first week of Lent, deeply religious people come to church daily for prayer of repentance. And again: who among modern people can afford this? But to remember those people whom we intentionally or unintentionally offended, to whom we lied or were rude - it doesn’t take much time, does it? Try to realize your mistakes in the first week of Lent and draw the right conclusions from this. Rudeness, lies, irritability and our other “petty” sins are also unacceptable in the first week of Lent (as, indeed, throughout Lent, and throughout life in general).

Another restriction that the priests insist on is “information hunger,” that is, refusal of television and the Internet and any violent entertainment.

The first week of Lent ends with a major Orthodox holiday - the Triumph of Orthodoxy. On this day in church you can confess and receive communion. There are concessions for those who keep a very strict fast: you can eat vegetable oil. In Greece, seafood is allowed on this day and on other Sundays of Lent.

Photos used depositphotos

Lent is the longest period of time - 7 weeks, when an Orthodox person must fast not only physically, but also spiritually. Great Lent is the way of people in preparation for the Great Feast of Easter, when the Resurrection of the Son of God is celebrated and at the same time the atonement of all the sins of mankind.

The main thing in the article

General principles of fasting

Many people are mistaken in believing that fasting is only limiting oneself to a certain list of foods. Fasting is not only about abstaining from food of animal origin, but also about spiritual restraint. Everyone determines the level of limitation for themselves in spiritual terms individually, some do not watch TV during Lent, some limit themselves only to music, others generally refuse any communication and holidays, reading books with spiritual morals.

But there are generally accepted rules related to food.

Since Lent is strict, during this time you cannot eat meat or fish, exclude all dairy products, as well as all products of animal origin, such as eggs, milk, cottage cheese, cheese, etc.
There is also a ban on alcohol, no parties or fun.
But, despite all the strictness of fasting, on some days it is allowed to eat wine and fish.

What can you eat by day during Lent before Easter?

Lent consists of Lent and Holy Week. For the last week of Lent there are completely different dietary rules, and for Pentecost there are general rules, which may change depending on the holiday (fish and wine are allowed on some days).

Pentecost

Monday - dry eating.
Tuesday - hot dishes on water without adding vegetable oil.
Wednesday - dry eating.
Thursday - hot dishes on water without adding vegetable oil.
Friday - dry eating.
Saturday - hot dishes with added vegetable oil.
Sunday - hot dishes with the addition of vegetable oil.

Xerophagy. This does not mean that you can only eat crackers. The table may contain vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, pickles, preserves, mushrooms, canned beans, peas - everything that is not cooked over fire or steam.

Holy Week

Monday - dry eating.
Tuesday is dry eating.
Wednesday - dry eating.
Thursday - any dish (one), with the exception of boiled.
Friday - complete abstinence from food before the first star rises, after which - dry eating.
Saturday - food of plant origin.
Sunday is “fasting” after the night liturgy from Saturday to Sunday and the consecration of Easter, colored eggs and other food products.

Retreat- you can eat everything! But only after the blessing of the products. The first to eat is a blessed piece of Easter and one egg. Afterwards, you are allowed to eat absolutely everything.

Important! Egg shells, Easter wrappers and other items that were blessed but not intended for food should be buried in the ground or lowered into a body of water with a current. They should not be thrown into the trash.

When can you eat fish during Lent?

Despite the fact that fasting is considered strict, there are still holidays on which the consumption of fish and fish caviar is allowed. There are only three such days:

April 7 - Annunciation . This is a permanent holiday that does not move, like Easter, but despite these moments, it almost always falls during the period of Lent. The Annunciation is a very joyful event when the Mother of God received the good news of the immaculate conception of the son of God. Therefore, on this bright holiday, eating fish and fish products is allowed.
The Raising of Lazarus. This event falls on Saturday a week before Easter - this is the day when Jesus Christ resurrected the deceased and already buried righteous Lazarus as a sign of the omnipotence of the Lord God over death. On this day, the consumption of fish caviar is allowed, which symbolizes the origin and cyclical nature of life.
Palm Sunday — the last Sunday before the start of Holy Week. On this day you can eat all seafood, including caviar.

Despite the presence of holidays in Lent and the permission to eat fish, do not forget that fasting is still underway, so there is no need to arrange large festive tables. The menu should be modest, and a person should not overeat, since such behavior has nothing to do with the personification of fasting and requires further confession.

What foods are allowed during fasting?

All types of cereals, the only nuance is the method of their preparation. You need to cook in water with salt, but without butter. On some days, you can season your food with vegetable oil, such as olive oil (very beneficial for the body).
Absolutely all fruits and vegetables. On some days of the week you can eat stewed, boiled and baked vegetables. Mostly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday you can eat these foods only raw or salted.
You can drink everything without alcohol, adding milk or other prohibited foods. Dried fruit compote is very useful for cleansing the body during fasting.

Is it possible to drink alcohol on fasting days?

Drinking alcohol on days of any fast - forbidden. But there are exceptions for drinking wine (in reasonable quantities). In the church, the clergyman informs about such permission. If you do not attend church, these are the days on which eating fish is usually permitted.

Products that are strictly prohibited for consumption during fasting

During Lent it is strictly forbidden to eat:

meat (of any origin - poultry, wild animals, beef, pork, etc.);
milk;
butter;
cottage cheese;
sour cream, cream;
kefir;
eggs;
mayonnaise;
fish;
seafood;
chocolate;
baking with excluded foods.

This list also includes all products containing the above products.

Last week of Lent: menu by day

First three days Orthodox Christians spend Holy Week in prayer and a raw food diet: all raw vegetables and fruits are allowed, you can eat honey, which is especially satisfying with nuts, dried apricots and prunes. You can also eat all pickles, preserves and mushrooms, for example, pickled ones. Bread is not excluded, but preferably gray and dry.

IN Thursday, which is popularly called “clean”, the Orthodox Church allows you to eat hot food - boiled, fried, steamed.

There is a belief that only one dish can be on the table, but there is no confirmation of this in church canons.

Good Friday. The day when Jesus Christ was crucified, all believers spend in sorrow and fasting. Only with the rising of the first star can you eat food according to the principle of a raw food diet. Deeply religious people spend this day in prayer and do not eat at all until midnight, taking a small amount of crackers and holy water after the first star rises.

Saturday- the eve of the Resurrection of Christ. On this day they bake Easter eggs, paint eggs and prepare a table of fast food. But on Saturday you can only eat fresh food and bread.
Sunday begins with the Divine Liturgy, when at night after its end all people gather in the church to consecrate Easter and eggs. Already at night, with the sun rising, you can eat all the meat prepared the day before.

First of all, they eat consecrated foods, and only then they begin to “break their fast” - eat other dishes.
In fact, it is quite difficult to find a compelling argument for yourself not to eat meat for some time, especially for those who have not previously observed fasts. But nothing is impossible for a person - it’s enough to set yourself up to cleanse the body, both physical and spiritual.

Help in abstaining from meat comes from communicating with like-minded people and attending church. Constantly being with people who do not fast makes a person’s feat even harder. But that's the beauty of it - to withstand temptation that others cannot bear.

The simplest and most delicious recipes for Lenten dishes

Lenten pilaf

The dish, in its method and order of preparation, resembles classic pilaf, but taking into account the fact that it does not contain meat. Basically, it’s rice with vegetables. The dish is very tasty, and most importantly - satisfying.

Pour three times as much water into the pan as you plan to use rice. For example, for 1 cup of rice, 3 cups of water is enough.

Place the saucepan on the fire, and at this time peel and prepare the vegetables - carrots, onions, peppers (if you have red ones). Wash and chop the greens (optional).

You need to fry the vegetables in a frying pan and add them to boiling water.

Pour the washed and dried rice into the same frying pan and fry, stirring, for 15 minutes.

Pour rice into boiling water with vegetables.

Turn the heat on a little higher than medium and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add salt and spices. If you have cooked greens, add them a couple of minutes before the end of the boiling time.

Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover with a lid and wrap for 30-40 minutes.

Lenten pilaf is ready. You can decorate the finished dish with olives and lettuce.

Tea Pie

Pass two cups of flour through a sieve, add 10 g of baking powder, sugar (1 cup) and a teaspoon of cinnamon.

Pour a couple of tablespoons of jam (you can use marmalade) with hot unsweetened tea (1 glass). Let the sweep cool.

Pour the cooled mixture into the flour, kneading into a soft dough. Add pre-steamed and chopped prunes and dried apricots (optional).

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

Place the dough on a baking sheet.

Place in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.

After baking, you can decorate the cake with powdered sugar or cinnamon.

Next, you need to let the cake cool. You can cut the cake only after it has cooled completely.

Korean bean salad

Boil 100 g of beans.

Fry the finely chopped onion in a frying pan.

Mix cooled beans and Korean carrots (100 g).

Gradually add fried onions and finely chopped herbs (optional: parsley, dill, celery).

Add salt to taste, mix well.

You can eat it with slices of black bread.