Is it possible to post smoking? Strict Fast Rules

Is it possible to post smoking? Of course, almost every Christian who suffers from nicotine addiction asked this question. However, in order to get an exhaustive answer to this question, it is first necessary to decide what post is.

Post time

There is a huge amount of definitions of this ecclesiastical concept.

Generally speaking, fasting is a period when a person should rethink his principles of behavior in society and his actions, as a result of which life must change, for the better. Naturally, one should abstain from the sins that a person commits most often: he practically swears every day, envies, is angry with others and so on. During the period of spiritual purification, the church also recommends taking control of the food system, excluding certain foods from the diet: meat, fish, milk and so on.

Bad habits

Returning to the question of whether it is possible to smoke in a post, it should be noted that nicotine addiction and the use of alcoholic beverages by the church are equated with sin, hence, believers should be discarded from them. At the same time it is necessary to make a reservation that on certain days of fasting in small quantities alcohol is still permissible.

Of course, many people, having received an answer to the question: "Can I smoke in a post?", Will conclude that the harassment is not for them, since they can not live a day without a cigarette. Well, this is their right, but in this case, smokers miss another opportunity to get rid of nicotine addiction, which is provided by church canons. However, many perceive the above addiction as a "lesser evil", although everyone knows what serious damage to health it does.

After considering the question of whether it is possible to smoke in a post, there is another: "Should the process of abstinence be recognized as correct if a person can not overcome the nicotine addiction?" Anyway, smoking is a sinful act, and it can not be considered in As the reason for not fasting. Here everything depends on the person himself and on how much he is ready to mobilize his internal resources in order to give up tobacco.

There is an opinion that the smoke emitted from the lungs by a smoker places a certain barrier between the person and God, which prevents the penetration of the Creator's grace.

To get rid of addiction will help daily prayer. Such an appeal to God calls on the conscience to take harsh measures against oneself. If you really can not stop smoking, then the church recommends refraining from tobacco at least 2 times a week: Wednesday and Friday.

Quite interesting is the question of whether it is possible to "indulge in tobacco" to Muslims during fasting. It should be noted that, like the Orthodox believer, Islamists during Ramadan are also given the opportunity to kill themselves cravings for smoking. However, it is necessary to make a reservation that Muslims can puff up a cigarette after sunset, which will not be considered a violation in abstinence.

Alcohol

A huge number of Orthodox people are worried about whether it is possible to drink alcohol in a post.

It should be noted that the Holy Scripture does not mention someone who, during the period of abstinence, drank wine or strong spirits. On the contrary, the Bible gives examples when Orthodox during fasting did not touch not only food, but also water.

Nevertheless, the church charter allows you to drink wine in small quantities and on strictly defined days - Saturday and Sunday. And this rule applies to all four posts: Christmas, Assumption, Petrov and the Great. In addition, those who are interested in the question: "Is it possible to drink in fasting?" Should know that only red beverages are allowed to be consumed and in strictly dosage quantities. Of course, no one will tell you the exact amount, but in order not to lose clarity of thought, the clergy are advised to confine themselves to one glass.

It is noteworthy that Russia adopted the tradition of drinking wine during the period of abstinence from Byzantium and Syria, where the above-mentioned alcoholic beverage was diluted with water at the rate of 1: 3. The wine thus replenished the water shortage, which was vital. It was also used as a remedy, because there were no alternative medicines at that time.

At present, a certain part of the clergy considers the above-described tradition to be incorrect, insisting on a ban on drinking alcohol during fasting.

In any case, it is first of all necessary to remember the meaning of the post. It is important to develop in a spiritual sense, reflect on your sinful actions, fight "in yourself" with hypocrisy, envy, anger, vanity. Naturally, one or two glasses of red drink will not prevent their eradication.

What to drink during a fast

During the harassment, the Orthodox are forbidden to drink coffee, because according to the method of preparation it is regarded as a decoction, and this contradicts the basic principle of dry eating. In the period of fasting, in addition to water, you can drink tea, which is an infusion, which is quite acceptable. At a certain time interval, the taboo applies to fruit compotes and juices.

The rules of strict fasting allow and even applaud the use of kissels, morses, lemonade and kvass. Today you can easily find a whole arsenal of recipes for the preparation of these drinks, and every day of fasting you can enjoy new culinary masterpieces. Especially popular and demanded in our country is the recipe of Morse from cranberries - this drink is not only lean and delicious, but also healthy. It should also be noted that in the post you need to consume only natural drinks.

Certainly, numerous fruit cocktails, jelly and lemonades can be so tasty that it will be very difficult to refuse them after the end of the fast. In any case, freshly squeezed freshes in the period of harassment will not let you lose courage and enrich the body with vitamins, which it does not receive due to restrictions in the diet.

Features of strict post

It is very important to remember that fasting should be observed only for those people who do not cause abstinence in eating. If you suffer from disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or you have a metabolic disorder, then you can not go out in any case. Today, even in monasteries, fasting does not always mean a principle of dry eating. If a person has never talked about his life and eventually decided to abstain from eating, then before practicing it in practice, you should talk about this with your spiritual mentor who will give individual recommendations.

Of course, all the Orthodox limit themselves in eating when the time of Lent comes.

However, it should be stressed once again: if you have health problems, you should not strictly follow all the rules that apply to food restrictions. It is much more important to rethink your behavior, to remember negative actions committed towards your friends and relatives.

One way or another, but do not forget that there is a strict fast, when a person can only eat bread and drink water. This abstinence, in particular, falls on the first week of Lent. On Monday, Orthodox Christians do not eat anything, praying for the atonement for their sins.

Strict fasting is also on the last week of Lent - this period is called Holy Week. In the first, second and third days of the last week you can eat only raw vegetables and fruits. On Holy Thursday, red wine is allowed in a small amount, and the food can be flavored with lean oil. On Friday, you can not eat anything at all - this day is considered the peak of a strict fast. The time interval from Saturday to the appearance of the first star is also a period of absolute abstinence in food.

What to eat in a post

Do not lose its relevance and the question of what should be the menu in the post. If you follow the church canons, then on Monday, Wednesday and Friday you are allowed to eat raw vegetables, fruits, black bread, drink water or compote. On Tuesday and Thursday, you can prepare a quick meal, but without adding oil (soup, porridge, boiled water, etc.).

The menu in the post at the weekend involves the addition of vegetable oil (a little bit), which slightly diversifies the diet.

Fasting or not

Of course, compliance with the post is a purely voluntary matter. Someone is accustomed to shit from childhood, someone comes to this consciously in adulthood, and some begin to understand the true meaning of fasting in old age.

It often happens that, as a result of confluence of certain life circumstances, a person can not count on anyone, and he hopes only for the help of the Almighty. What is our surprise when it suddenly comes, and after that we have faith that gives us strength to observe fasting.