The periodic abstinence from olive oil is one of the hardest parts of fasting. But why is there such a prohibition? Let’s start from the beginning. Religious fasting nutrition is a form of self discipline. It can be also a form of commemoration of saints or…
CHRISTMAS #1
Christmas is a feast but the days leading up to it are the 40 days Fast. Though this Fast is not so severe as the Lent before Easter it also includes days of strict fasting and days of abstinence from…
Fasting
Τhe climax (ladder) of Divine ascent. Monks climb and fail from the ladder to heaven. They have to overcome 23 vices and gluttony is among them. (John of the Ladder or John Scholasticus or John Sinaites, 6th century) Christian Church used…
The Fast before Christmas. The polysporia.
The period of forty days before Christmas is considered as a Fast, although not so strict as the pre- Easter one. Historically, the Fast before Christmas has been developed rather late. It was established in 1166, at the Council of…
Lazarakia
The last Saturday before Holy Week begins, is the Saturday of Lazarus. Lazarus was a beloved friend of Christ and his resurrection was a sign for the upcoming Christ’s resurrection after a week. In past farmers did not work on…