Solid week - what is it? The place of continuous weeks in the church calendar. Week: what is it?

The accepted name in modern society for a seven-day week as a week corresponds to the church concept of a week. Continuous weeks are certain days when the Church of Christ triumphs in honor of the holiday or allows a person to cancel fasting on Wednesday and Friday in preparation for a multi-day period of abstinence.

Among the Continuous Weeks there are transitional and non-transitionable weeks.

Impermanent Continuous Week

One of the main holidays of the Christian faith is Christmas. This event, celebrated on January 7th, continues with the Christmastide period, during which fasting on Wednesday and Friday is canceled. Calendarly, this period represents the period of time from January 7th to January 17th inclusive.

Continuous Weeks

All moving Continuous weeks depend on the dating of Easter (the date of Easter can be found in Paschal).

After the week about the publican and the Pharisee (the 4th Sunday before the start of Lent), a continuous week follows. In 2016, it falls on February 22–28.

The continuous week is Cheese Week (Maslenitsa). This is the last week before entering Lent. The charter allows any food except meat. In 2016, Maslenitsa falls on March 7th – 13th.

The most solemn Continuous Week is Bright Week - the time when the Church triumphs in honor of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. This week immediately follows the holiday of Easter. For 2016, the time of this Easter week is determined by the following dates: from May 2 to May 8.

The Feast of the Holy Trinity implies the presence of a continuous week in the Trinity calendar, during which fasting on Wednesday and Friday is also canceled. The Feast of Pentecost is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, so Trinity Week begins on the Monday after Trinity Day. In 2016, this week falls from June 20th to June 26th.

The Orthodox tradition was largely formed thanks to the monastic movement of the first centuries of Christianity. Therefore, in particular, the number of fasts in the Orthodox calendar, according to the most conservative estimates, is close to one hundred and twenty days, that is, a third of the year. In addition to this, many clergy, not satisfied with the softness of the general church canonical rules regulating the ascetic practice of believers, introduce additional days of fasting, especially before (and sometimes after!) Communion, thereby imposing on people “unbearable burdens”, which he himself opposed Jesus is a disgraced Jewish preacher and founder of the Christian church. However, another, brighter tradition is still alive, coming from the depths of centuries, when Christians knew how not so much to grieve and repent as to love and enjoy life, each other and God’s presence among them. A particular expression of this mentality of the first followers of Jesus in the ascetic tradition is the continuous week. A deeper definition of fasting will help you understand what it is. So, fasting in Orthodoxy is a time intended for introspection, deep prayer and religious deeds, such as reading scriptures, giving alms and the like. The gastronomic background of this practice is bodily abstinence from certain types of food. During the most strict fasting, all products of animal origin (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk), as well as vegetable oil, are subject to refusal.

In total, there are four multi-day fasts in Orthodoxy: Nativity, Petrovsky, Dormition and Great Orthodox Lent. In addition to these, there are many one-day periods of abstinence. Most of the latter are occupied by Wednesdays and Fridays, which by default are fast days almost every week (week - according to the old Church Slavonic terminology) of the year. There are, however, exceptions. In some weeks, the fast from Wednesday and Friday is removed due to certain circumstances. We know them as days of continuous weeks. What does this mean in practical terms? Firstly, at this time it is allowed to eat so-called fast food: meat, milk and everything else that is usually considered non-fasting. Secondly, and what is especially important, during these weeks you can receive communion without prior fasting, at least this is what is required according to the fixed written norm of the liturgical regulations.

There are only five continuous weeks in a year:

Holy Week or Christmastide.

Week of the Publican and the Pharisee.

Cheese week, also known as Maslenitsa.

Easter, better known as Bright Week.

Trinity week.

Each of them either precedes a multi-day fast, or, conversely, marks a period of rest and relaxation after it.

Christmastide, strictly speaking, is not a week, it is eleven days between Christmas and Epiphany. They always fall on the same dates - from January 7 to 18 according to the new style or from December 25 to January 5 - according to the old style. Thus, the holy days immediately follow the Nativity Fast until Epiphany Eve.

Week of the Publican and the Pharisee

Before Lent there are several so-called preparatory weeks. Of these, the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is continuous. Since the dates of Easter and the fasting period preceding it fall on different dates every year, the preparatory weeks are not tied to specific days. Specifically, the Week of the Publican and the Pharisee is allocated two weeks before Lent.

Maslenitsa

The famous Maslenitsa is a relic of the pagan holiday of welcoming spring. Today it has actually merged with cheese week. This is another preparatory continuous week called meat-eating week. What time is this? In general, these are the last seven days before the forty-eight-day period of fasting that precedes Easter.

A distinctive feature of Maslenitsa from other continuous weeks is that it is already forbidden to eat meat products, but it is allowed to eat fish and dairy.

Bright Week

The first week after Easter is also continuous, due to the special significance of the holiday. In fact, the Resurrection of Christ is officially celebrated for forty days, so it is not surprising how special a scale of solemnity and fun this continuous week is. What does it mean? The fact that during Bright Week any fasting, asceticism, and even kneeling prayers are strictly prohibited.

Trinity Week

After the Day of the Holy Trinity comes the last continuous week in the church calendar. What holiday is it? Otherwise it is called Pentecost and is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. Its roots go back to Jewish Eortology, and its purely Christian meaning is based on the story from the New Testament about how the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in the form of tongues of fire, giving them the knowledge of other languages ​​and other supernatural gifts. This event is considered the birthday of the Church, therefore, in honor of the Holy Trinity, the week following it is devoid of fasting days. But after its end, the long Peter's fast begins, and therefore this week is also preparatory to the period of abstinence, which ends every year on the same day - July 12, the day of remembrance of the apostles Peter and Paul.

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Fast– days of abstinence, including from fast food. The Lenten menu completely excludes the following products: meat, milk and any dairy products, eggs and dishes containing them. Let us not forget that while we fast physically, at the same time we need to fast spiritually. In physical fasting, the foreground is abstinence from rich, tasty and sweet food; in spiritual fasting - abstinence from indulging in our vices, abandonment of sins and transgressions and exercise in virtues. Spiritual fasting consists of prayer, spiritual reading and removal from everything sinful and distracting from God. That is, do not eat animal food, but swear, judge everyone, have fun, think about satisfying lustful thoughts, etc. - does not count as fasting. “Ethereal enemies will not overcome us if we do not indulge in carnal lusts.” Fasting is not a goal, but a means—a means to humble one’s flesh and cleanse oneself of sins. Without prayer and repentance, fasting becomes just a diet. The main thing in fasting is not only lean food, but the fight against passions. We must not eat animals, and lead a more correct life, of course, attending church more often. True fasting is associated with prayer, repentance, abstinence from passions and vices, the eradication of evil deeds, forgiveness of insults, abstinence from married life, the exclusion of entertainment and entertainment events, and watching television. Also, weddings (including getting married) cannot be played during Lent.

Solid week - a week without fasting. Continuous weeks (week - days from Monday to Sunday) mean no fasting on Wednesday and Friday.

Fast days and continuous weeks in Orthodoxy for 2017:

Every Wednesday and Friday(except for continuous weeks). The fast observed by the Orthodox Church on Wednesday is established in remembrance of the betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ by Judas to suffering and death, and on Friday - in remembrance of His suffering and death itself. Fasting is considered strict, that is, no animal food is allowed. On these days, sometimes (in summer and autumn) fish is allowed - i.e. follow the Orthodox calendar.

January 18. Post 1 day! Epiphany Eve (Epiphany Eve) - the evening before John the Baptist (Forerunner) baptized Jesus Christ. On this day, as on Christmas Eve, no food is eaten until the candle is taken out after the Liturgy in the morning (approximately 11 am) and the first communion of Epiphany water is taken. On Christmas Eve, after the liturgy, the great consecration of water takes place in churches. The blessing of water is called great due to the special solemnity of the rite. This water is called Agiasma, or simply Epiphany water. The blessing of water occurs twice - both on Epiphany Eve and directly on the feast of Epiphany. Consecration on both days takes place in the same manner, so the water blessed on these days is no different. There is a pious tradition of sprinkling your home with Epiphany water on this day while singing the troparion of Epiphany.

February 6 – February 12. It's been a solid week! The Publican and the Pharisee. ( the destruction of pride and pharisaical conceit in oneself - the worst of passions, as well as the increase in the prayer of the publican “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
This is the first preparatory week for Lent. This week is also called “foreshadowing” - preparation begins for the great battle with one’s own passions and sins, which awaits everyone who fasts.

February 20 – February 26 It's been a solid week!(Cheese) Maslenitsa (Cheese) week. Week is the week that ends the preparatory period for Great Lent. This is an important time for every Orthodox Christian, because during these seven days preparations are underway for the most significant fast of the year. During Cheese Week, you can no longer eat meat, but you are allowed to eat dairy (cheese, butter) food and eggs. You cannot follow your temptations: overeating, partying and gluttony. One should refrain from participating in all kinds of pagan traditions and customs. Orthodox Christians ask each other for forgiveness on Cheese Week. On Wednesday, the Lenten prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is read in the church. If you have never read this prayer, study it, because this prayer will be the main one for you during Lent. The meaning of Cheese Week is reconciliation with neighbors, forgiveness of offenses, preparation for Great Lent - time that should be devoted to good communication with neighbors, family, friends, and charity.

February 27 – April 15, 2017 POST! Lent(changes every year in the start and end dates) - the most important of the multi-day fasts. Holy Pentecost (40 days) -
February 27 – April 09- imitation of the 40-day fast of the Savior in the desert after Baptism in the Jordan. Also, the days of Lent are days of repentance
April 8 – Lazarus Saturday(Jesus raised Lazarus)
April 9 – Palm Sunday (Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem)
April 10 – April 16— Holy Week. Week before Easter
At dawn (after the Liturgy) April 16 - Easter. Whoever neglects Pentecost... does not celebrate the holiday of Easter” (Easter message of St. Athanasius the Great

April 17 – April 23 Solid week! Bright Easter Week - every day of the week is also called bright - Bright Monday, Bright Tuesday, etc., and the last day is Bright Saturday. These days, Orthodox Christians paint eggs and give them to each other. There is no fasting during Bright Week. It is also forbidden to impose a fast on oneself without permission.
Throughout Bright Week, a special bread called artos stands near the open Royal Doors. On Saturday after the liturgy, the artos is solemnly blessed. Afterwards the pieces are distributed to the believers. Those who pray, having received part of the artos, keep it throughout the year.
This entire period (40 days after Easter) is considered the Easter period, and Orthodox Christians greet each other with the greeting “Christ is Risen! ” and the answer “Truly He is Risen!”

June 5 – June 11 Solid week! Trinity Week - This is the week after the celebration of the Holy Trinity. The first day of the continuous week follows immediately after Trinity and is called the “Day of the Holy Spirit.” It was established and blessed by the Church in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Church does not recommend working on this day, but this day, Monday, is officially a work day and here the believer must decide for himself whether he can violate the church prohibition.

June 12, 2017 – July 11, 2017. POST! Peter's fast (Pentecost fast). —

the descent of the holy spirit on the apostles

The Church calls us to this fast, following the example of the holy apostles, who, having received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, prepared through fasting and prayer for the worldwide preaching of the Gospel. The Day of Pentecost, when on the fiftieth day after His descent from the tomb and on the tenth day after His Ascension, the Lord, who sat at the right hand (right hand) of the Father (God), sent down the Holy Spirit on all His disciples and apostles, is one of the greatest holidays.

14 to 27 August. POST 14 days! Dormition post- installed before the great holidays Transfiguration of the Lord(Jesus Christ showed himself to be the true son of God when he shone with a bright light) August 19 And Dormition of the Mother of God(earthly death for the Mother of God is her transition from an earthly body to eternal life with an unlimited opportunity to help people) August 28.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the Dormition Lent, the Church charter prescribes eating dry food, that is, observing the strictest fast, without boiling food; on Tuesday and Thursday - “with cooking, but without oil,” that is, without oil; On Saturdays and Sundays wine and oil are allowed.
August 14— honey Spas (honey is blessed, but apples and grapes of the new harvest cannot be eaten)
August 19 On the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, according to the Church Charter, fish is allowed at the meal. Apples are blessed - the apple Savior. From this day on, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the diet necessarily included the fruits of the new harvest.

11 September. Post 1 day! The beheading of John the Baptist (the Baptist). On this day John the Baptist was executed. He suffered for his faith - after his death he became a powerful man of prayer and a saint.

September 27. Fast 1 day. Exaltation of the Holy Cross. On this day in 300, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine with his mother Equal-to-the-Apostles Helen.

November 28 -January 6 Fasting 40 days!– Christmas post. Since the beginning of the fast falls on the day of remembrance of St. Apostle Philip, this post is also called Philip.
The Fast of the Nativity Pentecost depicts the fast of Moses, who, having fasted for forty days and forty nights, received the words of God inscribed on stone tablets. And we, fasting for forty days, contemplate and accept the living Word from the Virgin, not inscribed on stones, but incarnate and born, and we partake of His Divine flesh.” The Nativity Fast was established so that on the day of the Nativity of Christ we purify ourselves with repentance, prayer and fasting, so that with a pure heart, soul and body we can reverently meet the Son of God who appeared in the world and so that, in addition to the usual gifts and sacrifices, we offer Him our pure heart and a desire to follow His teaching.

WEEK
(seven). According to the Russian Orthodox calendar, each day of the week marks a sacred event, and an icon depicting these events, in accordance with each day, should help to carry them out consciously and with due reverence.
The icon depicting the days of the week is called “Week”. On it, the week begins with the resurrection, and this day is marked by the Resurrection of Christ, i.e. Descent into Hell. (The week of Lent ends with Sunday). On Monday the Heavenly Powers are remembered, therefore the next image is “The Cathedral of the Archangel Michael.” Tuesday is a day dedicated to St. John the Baptist and designated by the Baptism of Christ. Wednesday, the day of the Mother of God, is the Annunciation. In the second row from the left - Thursday, the day that prepares for the day of sorrow - the Washing of the Feet is depicted. Day of grief and fasting - Friday - Crucifixion of Christ the Savior. Between Thursday and Friday is a bright and joyful Saturday, the eve of Bright Resurrection, the Feast of Holidays and the Celebration of Celebrations. The New Testament “day of preparation” is Saturday, replacing the Old Testament Friday. On the joyful Sabbath day, Christ is in a halo of glory, with the Mother of God and St. John the Baptist and angels. Everyone around Him is in white robes, even St. John the Baptist exchanged his usual robe of camel's hair for white vestments. The Russian peasantry, which preserved the purity of the customs of the Orthodox Church, put on clean shirts on Saturday and lit lamps near the icons.
The Sabbath day is sometimes highlighted with a separate icon and is then called “Saturday of All Saints.” Christ in glory holds the open Gospel and is surrounded by the Heavenly Powers, the Mother of God and St. John the Baptist. In the lower belt are the faces of saints: holy fools, forefathers, holy women, hermits, prophets, apostles, martyrs, to whom Christ appears before the Second Coming and who will not be judged.
Since the 4th century, according to the decree of the Church, fasting on Wednesday and Friday became obligatory, and presence in church on Resurrection and the celebration of this day was equally obligatory. In Rus', in the first centuries of the adoption of Christianity, the Church tried to instill and explain the need for fasting, resorting to sermons and messages, promising rewards in heaven for observing fasts and punishment for apostasy. In the popular imagination, Wednesday and Friday began to be embodied in the images of angels or saints, merciful and punishing.
“Paraskeva” means “day of preparation” in Greek, i.e. according to the calendar "Friday". St. Paraskeva thus began to personify the fifth day of the week. In the life of St. Paraskeva it is said that she was born to pious parents who observed fasts. Another St. Paraskeva, according to her life, was the daughter of a king and, having converted to Christianity, received the crown of martyrdom.
St. Paraskeva became in Rus' a mysterious helper, patroness and at the same time an accuser before the Lord God. According to popular belief, St. Paraskeva, majestic as a queen, visited the most modest homes, checking that everything was clean and in order. If she found untidiness, she punished the lazy housewife. She gave the Sunday spinners convulsions and hangnails and threatened to accuse them at the Last Judgment. She promised that parents who did not keep fasts would have children who were thieves and drunkards. If a chicken is placed on eggs on Friday, the chickens will not hatch, etc. Following this, people stopped doing anything on this day. Friday has turned into a day that brings failure in business. On the other hand, St. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa protected from murders, floods, toothaches and headaches. She sent good harvests and arranged happy marriages. To appease her, merchants built special chapels called “Fridays” at fairs.
St. Paraskeva Friday was like a punishing and merciful mother and took part in all the little things in life. Her icon was decorated with flowers, which were then dried and taken as medicine. On Russian icons of St. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa is a young woman with a crown on her head and in a scarlet embroidered gold robe. Her Greek name "Paraskeva" is often omitted from icons and the abbreviated inscription reads "St. Friday".
In ancient times, in Little Russia they used to “Monday”, i.e. We also kept fast on Monday. This happened because he led. book Shortly after the Baptism of Rus', Vladimir the Saint ordered everyone to be present in church on Sunday. Those who did not comply were punished on Monday. They began to fast to appease Monday in order to avoid punishment.
N.Sh.

Source: Encyclopedia "Russian Civilization"

See what "WEEK" is in other dictionaries:

Saturday, week Dictionary of Russian synonyms. week noun, number of synonyms: 4 week (10) ... Synonym dictionary

WEEK, weeks, women. (church book obsolete). A week. “And for the first week the brothers go to the capital city.” Ershov. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 … Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

week- week. Pronounced [seven]… Dictionary of difficulties of pronunciation and stress in modern Russian language

week- s; and.; outdated = week, continuous week, Holy week, cheese week... Dictionary of many expressions

Week, church, other Russian, Serbian. Tslav., Russian cslav. week, Ukrainian week, Bulgarian week, Serbohorvian week - the same. Tracing paper Greek. ἑβδομάς seven, seven; week or narodnolat. septimāna; see Skok, RES 5, 23; Schrader-Nehring 2, 665. Score... ... Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language by Max Vasmer

Week- (ts.slav. - seven) - this is how the Orthodox Church calls the week, as consisting of seven days. Each day of the week has its own dedication: Sunday - to the remembrance and glorification of the Resurrection of Christ; Monday - to the spirits sent by God to help... ... Fundamentals of spiritual culture (teacher's encyclopedic dictionary)

Weekend (Jer.5:24; Dan.10:2,3) a period of seven days, a week. In Jer.5:24, perhaps, it also has a broader meaning: favorable time... Bible. Old and New Testaments. Synodal translation. Biblical encyclopedia arch. Nikifor.

J. obsolete the same as the week Efremova's Explanatory Dictionary. T. F. Efremova. 2000... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

Week, weeks, weeks, weeks, week, weeks, week, weeks, week, week, weeks, week, weeks (