This pot of soup represents my first time participating in The Great Lent of the Orthodox Church. I am sixteen days into the forty day fast.
Because I didn’t know what I was doing, I needed help. This guide gave me a good start CLICK HERE.
- Level one — Fast from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays and during Holy Week
- Level two — Fast from meat and fish on Wednesdays and Fridays and during Holy Week
- Level three — Fast from meat the entirety of Lent and Holy Week
- Level four — Fast from meat and fish the entirety of Lent and Holy Week
- Level five — Level four and eliminate dairy products during Holy Week
- Level six — Level four and eliminate dairy products on Wednesday and Fridays and during Holy Week.
- Level seven — Level four plus eliminate dairy products during all of Lent and Holy Week
- Level eight — Level seven plus eliminate oil and wine during Holy Week
- Level nine — The strict fast – no meat, fish, dairy products, wine or oil during the entirety of Great Lent
I have a little experience with fasting, but I am a novice when it comes to long term fasting. I’ve been keeping up as a good solid 4. And I thought I was doing great until I realized that time stands still when you aren’t eating meat. Before I looked at the calendar I was pretty sure I was at least two months in.
So you might wonder how this life long Protestant even jumped on this train.
Well, the first reason is my son. When my first born started exploring the Orthodox Church I wanted to know what it was about, even if it was just for him.
The longer I observed it became a genuine interest for me. I listened to a few podcasts. I attended liturgy. I asked questions.
Then at the beginning of the year one of the preachers from my church encouraged us to study church history. What I am finding, coupled with my training to do “Bible things in Bible ways,” is that there is tremendous value in the ways of the ancient church.
This tradition has been observed for two thousand years. When early Christians sought to participate in the things of Christ, they emulated his example of fasting. The pioneers of faith devoted the forty day period before Pascha to repentance and drawing closer God.
As participation grew, institutional practice of the spiritual discipline began in churches across Christendom. By 325 AD the Council of Nicaea formalized its practice in the church. The Orthodox Church continues to observe it as the first Christians did so long ago.
While the restriction of food is essential, it isn’t the emphasis. A dear friend of Orthodox faith encouraged me to fill myself with the Psalms as they were the songs of worship for the early church. It isn’t a time to just be miserable. It is a time to find peace in connection to Christ. It is a time to grow into him.
So here I am, in my corner of the world, adding Lent to my spiritual regiment and reflecting on what I’m getting the hang of and what I need to increase. The pragmatic part of Lent has been less challenging than the spiritual. I do occasionally miss meat, but the spiritual growth part is a bit more stubborn.
Now, with a little more than 2 weeks under my belt, I am regrouping.
I am committing to dig in a little deeper and pray more earnestly. I will open my heart more fully. I will submit my will to his a little more. I will serve others with more eagerness. I will remember this prelenten admonition that I may be more worthy to worship the Lord when Pascha comes.
The time has come – the start of our spiritual contests, the victory over demons,
the full armor of self-control the angels’ dignity, the confidence before God.
Thereby did Moses become conversant with the Creator, and heard the invisible voice.
Lord, through fasting make us worthy to worship Your Passion and Holy Resurrection,
as You love humanity. (Doxastikon of Orthros, Cheesefare Sunday, Trans. by Fr. Seraphim Dedes)
Leave a Reply