541. WHY DOES GREAT LENT LAST FORTY DAYS?

Great Lent lasts forty days, since the Lord Jesus Christ Himself fasted for forty days (see Matt. 4:2).

542. WHY IS IT PROPER TO FAST ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY?

Fasting is prescribed on Wednesday – in remembrance of the betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ to suffering, and on Friday – in memory of His sufferings and death themselves.

543. WHY ARE THERE OTHER FASTS IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH?

The Nativity and Dormition fasts were instituted in order to honor the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos that follow these fasts by a preliminary feat of abstinence; and fasting in memory of the holy apostles is to imitate the apostles, who fasted, preparing themselves for the work of preaching the Gospel (Acts 13:3).

544. HOW SHOULD FEAST DAYS BE SPENT?

Feast days should be spent in the following way: one should not work on these days, or do worldly and worldly affairs; it is necessary to keep them sacred, that is, to perform holy and spiritual deeds on these days, to the glory of God.

545. WHY IS IT FORBIDDEN TO WORK ON FEAST DAYS?

It is forbidden to work on holidays in order to perform holy and God-pleasing deeds without hindrance.

546. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ON FEAST DAYS?

On feast days, one should: come to church for public worship and instruction in the word of God; likewise, at home, to engage in prayer and reading, or soul-saving conversations; to dedicate to God a part of one's property and use it for the needs of the Church and those who serve her, and for charity to the poor; to visit the sick and imprisoned and to do other works of Christian love.

547. SHOULD THE SAME BE DONE ON WORKING DAYS?

Such things can be done on weekdays - and it's good who can do it. And those who are hindered by work, should at least sanctify feast days with such deeds. It is necessary to pray every day in the morning and in the evening, before lunch and dinner and after them, and, if possible, at the beginning and after any work.