Great Lent facts for kids
Great Lent, also called the Great Fast, is a very important time for many Christians in Eastern churches. It's a special season of fasting and prayer. This period helps Christians get ready for their biggest celebration, Pascha.
The date of Easter can be different for Eastern and Western Christians. Most years, Eastern Pascha happens after Western Easter. Sometimes it can be up to five weeks later. But sometimes, both dates are the same.
Like Western Lent, Great Lent lasts for forty days. However, in Eastern Christianity, Sundays are included in this count.
Great Lent officially starts on Clean Monday. This is seven weeks before Pascha. Eastern churches do not observe Ash Wednesday. The fast lasts for 40 days straight. It ends with a special service called the Presanctified Liturgy. This service happens on the Friday of the Sixth Week.
The day after this is called Lazarus Saturday. This day comes right before Palm Sunday. Fasting continues through the next week. This week is known as Passion Week or Holy Week. The fast does not end until after the Paschal Vigil. This vigil takes place early on Pascha (Easter Sunday) morning.
Why is Great Lent Important?
Great Lent is like a special "workshop" for Christians. It helps them grow stronger in their faith. During this time, believers try to live more like the teachings of the Gospel. Fasting and prayer help them feel a deeper connection to their beliefs. It turns any lack of interest into strong faith and good actions.
Lent is not just about fasting for the sake of it. These practices are tools. They help Christians prepare themselves. They help them accept and follow the call of their Savior. Because of this, Great Lent is highly valued. It is important to both monks and everyday people.
By spending more time in prayer, Christians also read the Holy Scripture. They also learn about the Holy Traditions of the Church. Through God's grace, believers aim to become more like God.
How is Great Lent Observed?
Observing Great Lent means following certain practices. These include fasting and avoiding specific foods. Christians also focus on more private and public prayer. They take time for self-reflection and confession. People work on improving themselves and making up for past mistakes. They also practice almsgiving, which means giving to those in need.
Fasting often means not eating food until evening. The meal eaten after the fast is broken must not include certain foods. Foods commonly avoided are meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Also, wine and oil are often not consumed. Some traditions only avoid olive oil. Others avoid all vegetable oils.
There are some exceptions to these rules. Wine and oil are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. They are also permitted on a few special feast days. Fish is allowed on Palm Sunday. It is also allowed on the Annunciation if it falls before Palm Sunday. Caviar is permitted on Lazarus Saturday. However, meat and dairy are completely forbidden. They are not eaten until the fast ends on Easter.
Besides attending more church services, Christians are also expected to pray more. They focus on their private prayers during this time.
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