Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Great Lent

Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Great Lent
13:22 • 07.03.11

After the Carnival, which was celebrated on Sunday, Christian churches observe the Great Lent This is a period of fasting that lasts until Easter (48 days). This year, resurrection of Jesus Christ will be celebrated on April 24.

Churches recommend the use of vegetarian food in this period. Fasting also requires abstinence from some negative practices, such as talkativeness, lying, using bad language etc.

The first 40 days of the fast symbolize the period of Jesus Christ's temptation in the desert without drink or food. This is said to be a period when Jesus sacrificed himself for the salvation of the human race.

The forty-day period is then followed by the Holy Week which lasts 8 days.

The ancient church canons prohibited weddings and offerings in this period. But a church decree issued by Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I allowed weddings during the Great Lent provided the marriage was extremely urgent. The only exception was the days of the Holly Week.

The church tradition recognizes three types of fast – abstention from alcohol and food of animal origin, abstention of all types of food, including vegetarian products, and abstention from food and water.

Fasting is also considered useful from the medical viewpoint, as the non-use of meat and fats at the close of winter has a positive impact on the organism. But this should not be seen as a form of diet recommended for losing weight or treating diseases. Fasting is not restricted to abstinence from animal food only. It is first of a means for purifying one's soul of all kinds of moral ills and evils and turning to a decent life.


Tert.am