Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Great Lent begins

Photo: pravoslavie.bg

Today is the first day of the longest fasting period in Orthodox Christian tradition. Strict fasting is observed during the first and last week, and apart from animal and dairy foods, which are excluded during the entire fasting period, vegetable fats such as oil and olive oil are not allowed either. Fish and invertebrates such as snails, mussels, etc. are allowed on March 25 (Annunciation) and April 28 (Palm Sunday). In order for the fasting to be salvific, it must be blessed by a priest who also guides people how to fast.

 Pregnant women, children and people with health problems are exempt from fasting during the Great Lent. Fasting also implies abstinence from sinful and evil thoughts and deeds. Thus, the laity can welcome the Resurrection of Christ with pure hearts. This year Easter falls on May 5.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A new temple near Sandanski bears the names of Saints Anthony and Athanasius the Great

The only chapel in the country to bear the names of Saints Anthony and Atha nasius is in Sandanski, and its consecration will be performed by His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, reports Andon Kotev - one of the initiators of the idea to..

published on 1/17/25 7:00 AM
The Bulgarian Cathedral Church

Bulgarians in Berlin celebrate the feast of St. Anthony the Great with special solemnity

On January 17, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Anthony the Great – a zealous advocate of Christianity. At an advanced age, he took part in the Church's struggle against the Arian heresy. Anthony got into an open dispute with the..

published on 1/17/25 5:30 AM

Bulgarian Orthodox Church and BNR join forces to provide spiritual support to compatriots abroad

His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe and BNR Director General Milen Mitev signed a Memorandum of Cooperation at the headquarters of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Diocese of Western and Central Europe in the German capital,..

published on 1/16/25 7:40 PM