Post - the basics

Not so much now believers who observe fasting. Some people just do not know what post, which can not be eaten during Lent and other very important nuances. Others believe that fasting is not necessary, do not see any reason to infringe the diet of anything on certain days. Still others do not want to fasting, feeding children and meat, fish and during it, because worried about the health of their children.

It only explains why the post is still not satisfied. In other matters, anyone can find an excuse, whether it's ignorance or unwillingness. But the essence is the same.

And what is, in fact, is fast, and what is it? Why Orthodox people of ancient Russia to abide by? History may well answer this question.

As everyone knows, during Lent to pray before and after meals. Hence, fasting was something of a sacrament, expulsion from his soul all the harmful and call virtuous. It was believed that non-fasting turns a man into "soulless flesh", and the post - a "spiritual man". During fasting cleanses the soul, attracted (or leave a) only the purity, clarity, freedom and temperance.

Post, like all Orthodox - a delicate thing. There is no bodily fasting without spiritual fasting. If there is no spiritual fasting is believed to have then post solid completely in vain. Judge for yourself - if you survive the post, do not eat, and think this is a feat or just becomes irritable and angry, your soul, instead of purification, only further plunge into the darkness of sin. Feeling like a hero from the fact that survived the post, you only get one of the sins, pride, rather than get rid of it.

If you - a Christian who fasts, and see what your friends or neighbors are not fasting, then do not insult them in the face and even in the shower. Or fasting, someone just cheating, cheat people as before. Do not lose the true meaning of fasting, cover it hypocritical to say: I fast, and you sinners - no.

The main part of the post is prayer. That it allows the spiritual fasting, opening the soul to God. At least, so thought in ancient Russia.

As you know, all the rules (even some of the rules of fasting) are impossible without exception. History is full of such examples. Even a little sad that they all times of ancient Russia.

Here you one example. As already mentioned, no post of kindness impossible. This attitude to the post just his dishonor. According to St. John Chrysostom, during Lent we must "... water-hungry, exhausted regret, to comfort grieving and crying ...".

Or here's another. If you have friends call in a post to eat meat or fish, then do not give up, hiding behind them. For the love of him who called you, who you met a friendly, eat all that you will be served, you can post it or not. Or, when you invite someone to visit, do not try to force the post. Already in ancient Egypt, said that the post for the visitors have to cancel. Fasting - a private, for myself it is possible to arrange whenever you want, but do not force him to impart to others.