What days can you eat fish in Lent 2021

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Not all Orthodox Christians know what days you can eat fish during Lent 2021. To understand how the corresponding dates are distributed in 48 days, it is necessary to determine the time of Easter. It is from her that the countdown of the fasting time will take place.

Start date of Lent in 2021

To determine on which days in Great Lent in 2021 you can eat fish, you should refer to the church code of rules and the tools used by clergy. The clergy, when they determine the day of the coming of Easter, are first guided by the lunar calendar. Bright Sunday usually falls on the first full moon, if we count from the vernal equinox.

At the same time, most of the Orthodox denominations existing today use the Julian calendar. Gregorian is adopted as a basis in the Armenian Church. For this reason, Russian and Armenian Orthodox Christians do not have the same time for Easter. In the latter, it occurs a week earlier.

During the period of Lent, fish is allowed to be eaten on strictly defined days. This requirement is true for both the laity and the clergy.

To find out exactly on which days in Lent in 2021 you can eat fish, you need to look into the code of laws and rules of the Orthodox Church. It is especially important to know for those who intend to observe 48-day abstinence for the first time.

After the vernal equinox, the full moon can occur at different times. In 2021, Easter falls on May 2. From this date, the prescribed number of days should be counted - the period during which humility and restraint should be observed, adhere to an ascetic lifestyle.

This abstinence, which will last 48 days, begins on March 15th and continues through May 1st. In total, you will have to follow the rules established by the church for 7 weeks. The goal of Great Lent is to strengthen the spirit, which is achieved through humility, the abstinence of the flesh.

The importance and rules of fasting

48-day fasting in Christian philosophy is a period of repetition of events that were detailed in the Gospel. It is about what happened shortly before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Son of God was in the desert for 40 days, refusing to eat or drink. Even then, he knew what fate the Lord had in store for him. He understood that soon he would have to pass a fateful and cruel test on the cross.

Preparing for this, he strengthened his body and spirit, revised his views on life, and also turned to God in order to receive strength from him to pass this difficult test.

Christians who want to become truly close to God fast before Easter and eat fish only on permitted days. During this period, they do not eat food of animal origin, do not attend entertainment events, and give up sinful thoughts.

Thanks to this, they not only strengthen their spirit, but also become closer to the Savior, thus wanting to be transformed in the best way. In accordance with the monastery charter, it is necessary to give up not only fish, but also meat, as well as dairy products and animal fats.

At the same time, the Orthodox faith views fish as, rather, a lean food. Accordingly, it is not prohibited to eat it on church holidays.

The possibility of eating fish on the corresponding days of Great Lent is explained by the fact that at this time two important events for Orthodox Christians are celebrated. In the first week, everyone who has defended Christianity throughout their lives is commemorated.

The saints are also honored in the following weeks. So, the 6th week is dedicated to the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and the consolidation of the status of the Messiah. The seventh, the so-called Holy Week, is dedicated to the last days that the Savior spent in the flesh of man.

When you can eat fish

The charter of the Orthodox Church states that fish can only be served on the table on holidays. We are talking about Palm Sunday and the Annunciation. The last holiday falls on April 7th.

Palm Sunday is the day before the last week of fasting. In 2021, it falls on April 25. These are the permitted days.

Also, during the period of 48 days of fasting, a slight relaxation is allowed on Lazarev Saturday. True, fish dishes are not allowed on this day, but in addition to plant food, you can afford a little fish caviar. Lazarev Saturday falls in 2021 on April 24.

Summarize

1. It is forbidden to eat fish during Lent, with the exception of the important church holidays of the Annunciation (April 7) and Palm Sunday (April 25). On Lazarev Saturday (April 24) you can eat caviar.
2. The bans on the use of animal products apply to both church ministers and ordinary people.