Hello to everyone! Spring comes, and the Great Lent starts. Great Lent, or Great Fast, or Velykyi Pist in Ukrainian, is a special period of time before the Easter. Great Lent is considered to be a time of a purification and personal reflection through a resolute renunciation of any bad habits, evil thoughts or actions. Lent is a time of a heartfelt repentance and sincere contrition, and self-denial as well. Lent is a time of fasting and praying in deep humility, so it is believed to be the most serious time of believer’s spiritual growth.

In Christianity the Great Lent is aimed to prepare for the Orthodox Easter which falls on April, 20, 2014 this year. In fact, Great Lent introduces the faithful in the last week of Lent, the Holy Week, and the holiday of Bright Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is believed to be the main Christian holiday of the year after Christmas. It lasts for seven weeks – in other words, for about forty days, and is believed to be a time of strict fasting. The number of days represents a period of time Jesus spent in the desert praying and fasting. Orthodox Christians strictly observe this fasting ritual: meat, alcohol, dairy products, Lenten oil, sugar or honey can’t be eaten or drunken at all. You could only use in cooking and eating planted food (including fruits and vegetables), salted vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes or pickled cabbage), tea, mushrooms, nuts, bread black and gray, dried bread, boiled wheat and porridges. Smoking and drinking coffee is also not allowed.

There are some certain Lenten days when the faithful can’t eat any hot food including soups. The first day of Great Lent is particularly known as such day without almost any food to eat. Starting from the second week of Lent, people are allowed to eat some kinds of fish and mushrooms as well. Lenten oil is also allowed to use in cooking this period. There are some activities restrictions – people aren’t allowed to sing and dance, to relax, to go clubbing. The Great Lent is believed to be the time to think about the sense of our lives and to analyze your deeds and actions. So if you are planning to invite your charming Russian lady to a restaurant or a cafe, ask her first if she observes the Fast strictly.