Great Orthodox Lent in 2025: daily meals, prohibitions and restrictions

From the first days of March, a special period of spiritual and physical purification begins for believers — Lent. This is the longest fast in Christianity and the time preceding the main Orthodox holiday, Easter. How to eat properly during the fast and what other restrictions must be observed — read in the Izvestia article.

Great Orthodox Lent — what date is in 2025

The dates on which believers are required to observe fasting are determined by Easter day, which, in turn, depends on the lunar phases. In 2025, the main Orthodox holiday falls on April 20. Lent will last from March 2 to April 19.

The essence of Lent in 2025

Opinions of religious historians about the origin of Lent vary. Some of them believe that fasting should be observed in memory of the heroic deed of Christ, who, after undergoing baptism, stayed in the desert without water and food for 40 days.

Others also associate the need for fasting with the rite of baptism, but for a completely different reason. In the ancient church, believers were baptized on Holy Saturday, and before that, fasting was required to purify the body and mind.

Lent 2025 by days

The fast is preceded by Maslenitsa week, the customs of which came to us from paganism. Nevertheless, the holiday is loved by Christians, it has long become an integral part of the church calendar, in which it is called Cheese Week. The liturgy is no longer served on Wednesday and Friday this week. Believers should avoid meat dishes, but they are allowed to eat dairy products. For more information about the traditions and regulations of Maslenitsa, see Izvestia's material.

The fast itself is divided into two periods: Holy Lent and Holy Week. It is believed that in the first 40 days a person approaches God through restrictions, prayers and repentance, and in the last week Christ himself comes to meet a person.

Meals for Lent in 2025

The strictest days of fasting are the first week and Holy Week. On the very first day, called Clean Monday, it is supposed to completely abandon any food. During the first week, believers pray diligently and demonstrate humility and repentance by renouncing the usual benefits and pleasures. On the remaining days of fasting, it is also necessary to exclude meat, eggs, milk, fish and other animal products, but listen to your well-being and needs.

On some days, fasting allows for relaxation. So, on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (April 7, the date is not fixed) and on Palm Sunday (April 13, 2025) it is allowed to eat fish dishes, and on Lazarev Saturday (April 12) — to eat caviar.

All prohibitions are strictly observed only by clergymen and especially devout believers. For lay people, the restrictions are conditional. If it is difficult for a person to exclude any product from the diet, the church does not forbid it - the main thing is to come to spiritual purification and not to forget about helping others and those in need. In addition, medical indications and life circumstances can affect nutrition.

The same applies to the prohibition of carnal pleasures. Peace and harmony in the family are put above prohibitions, and if one of the spouses insists on intimacy, the other should not refuse him even during the days of fasting.

However, some prohibitions are not violated: it is not customary for Christians to have a wedding, get married, or have noisy celebrations during fasts.