Start of Romanian Orthodox Great Lent before Easter

Romanian Orthodox Christians start, on Monday, February 19, the Great Lent, a period of spiritual cleansing and preparation before Easter.

According to the Romanian Orthodox tradition, 40 days (seven weeks) starting from today, Christians will not eat any meat, milk products or eggs. They will undergo this period through fasting, prayers, reading holy books, repentance, attendance at the religious services, do charity, searching to forgive those who have done wrong to them, and in return to beg for their forgiveness.

Also, priests are not allowed to officiate weddings in times of fasting.

Great Lent ends in the Easter Day, when - after receiving the “Holy Communion” and after the Pascal Greeting “Christ has risen” - they return to their homes where milk and eggs are welcomed again on the rich various traditional Pascal table.

This year, Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on April 8.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei