Lent is an important period of repentance for believers. It is customary to prepare for this important event in advance. Within four weeks a person tunes in for the coming feat, repents and prays .
Preparatory weeks for the Great Post
- Week of the publican and the Pharisee . The liturgy reads cliche, where it tells about humility, without which any effort will be in vain and of pride, which will not allow a person to be saved and to take the right path. The service on this day and until the fifth week of fasting is accompanied by the hymn "Repentance open doors, Zhizdavche." This week before the Great Lent is intended for people to acknowledge their own sins and repent.
- Week of the Prodigal Son . At the Liturgy the parable is read on the first day, the meaning of which is that even after the committing of sins, awareness and repentance will help to come to God and be cleansed of what was done. Still added to the service on this day is the psalm "On the Rivers of Babylon," which tells of the lawsuits of a sinful soul.
- Week meat . Already from this week before the fasting, it is necessary to exclude meat from the diet, but dairy products, fish and eggs are still allowed. At this time, the church recalls the testimonies of God at the general judgment during the second coming of Christ. Saturday this week is called meat. On this day it is customary to commemorate the deceased, not only relatives, but also all Orthodox Christians. During the following days the church recalls the Last Judgment, and people pray for the dead so that they will receive mercy from God.
- The week is sour . From this period, severe abstinence begins. The service at the last preparatory week is aimed at preparing for the post . During this period, the story of the expulsion of the first people from paradise is recalled. Believers ask each other for forgiveness for possible grievances. That is why the last preparatory day is called forgiven Sunday.