Fasting During Lent During Lent we are like athletes in training to "fight the good fight" and "finish the race" as St. Paul expressed it. What we do externally can affect our inner condition. So we take on an outward discipline that will balance the inward discipline of Lent. Part of that outward discipline is fasting. Like the strict regimen of athletes, it is meant to strengthen and firm our spiritual self. The Church's rules prescribe that for 40 days preceding Palm Sunday we abstain from all animal products: meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. We should also refrain from parties, movies, and frivolous entertainment. In our day, many find this difficult, but every faithful Christian can do the following to remain in the spirit of Lent: 1. Keep Wednesdays and Fridays as fast days. 2. Cut down on outside activities. 3. Put aside a regular and consistent amount of time daily for private prayer, and for reading the Bible and spiritual books. 4. Attend all Lenten church services faithfully. 5. Receive the sacrament of Penance by self-examination, confession, repentance, and positive decisions. 6. Make a family effort to incorporate these things into each member's life during Lent. Remembering always that Lent is a time of solemn yet joyous preparation made so we may arrive spiritually strengthened and renewed to celebrate Easter. Lenten Recipes Throughout many centuries Armenian mothers (and a few fathers) have passed on to their children wonderful traditional Armenian foods. Lent is a special time to prepare for Easter. Try some of the wonderful recipes here and spend a very special mealtime with your family--helping everyone observe Lent and prepare for the joyous Resurrection celebration to come.
Sample recipes from The 40 Days of Lent: Selected Armenian Recipes: Armenian Potato Salad (Haygagan Kednakhuntzori Aghtsan) Stuffed Grape Leaves (Derevi Patooyt or Yalanchi) Broiled Fish Kebob (Khorovadz Tsoog) Rice Pilaf with Eggplant (Sumpoogov Prinzi Yeghintz) Peas in Tomato Sauce (Loligov Volorn) Petites Choregs (Manr Choregner) Orange Sesame Crisps (Nareenchi Shooshmayov Pleet)
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