Non-Stop New York's Easter

Why do Christians fast during Lent?

Here is an Eastern Orthodox response from the ministry of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas [Fifth Avenue and 97th St. in Manhattan].

There are several reasons:

First: it's a self-imposed discipline. Christians fast as a way of saying "no" to impulses.
Second: fasting is consciously intended to lower our energy level. The less energy we have, the less energy we have to "sin." (I put that in quotes because in Orthodoxy we have a very dynamic concept of "sin." It doesn't mean the same thing it means to most people.)
Third: the lower energy level makes it much easier to pray.
Fourth: we want to remember the poor, and the experience of fasting helps do this. (In fact, Christians are to use the money saved as "alms"-- not to be given through and to institutions, but to be given personally to disadvantaged persons.)

Certain religions tend to follow strict, traditional fasting customs. Strict fasting consists of: no meat, no wine or other alcohol, no (olive) oil, no dairy, (technically, little or no spices,) about 1 ½ normal meals per day (plus, in many places, no TV, radio, music, movies, parties, entertainment, etc.) Interestingly, under the strict fast, shellfish and octopus are allowed. (Why? I suspect that it's an artifact of the original occupation -- fisherman -- of most of the Apostles. In any case, this has been the case since at least as early as about 150 AD.)

"Relaxed Orthodox fasting" is like strict fasting, except that on some days (generally, 'holidays') either wine, or wine and oil, or fish, wine and oil are allowed, though almost never on Wednesday or Friday.

Easter Sunday is a day of celebration and feasting when foods forbidden during Lent return to the table. Lamb, a symbol of the innocent victim [Agnus Dei means "the lamb of God"], is a popular paschal dish. Eggs, a symbol of new life or rebirth, are an important part of food traditions. The Easter feast, originating in the northern hemisphere's spring, also represents winter's end: an anticipation of the harvests of a new season. Ready now for The Last Supper:?

Explore Non-Stop New York's ethnic richness:
April is for eating! International recipes prepared by foreign-born New Yorkers;
Greek, Cyprian, British, and European dishes for Lent and Easter.

Easter Parade: On the Avenue--Fifth Avenue: don a bonnet & join us now.
Sing-along to a unique midi-file of the Irving Berlin classic.
"Easter Parade" is 65 years old -- time to bring it out of semi-retirement.
Only one NYC web site has this song and lyrics: Non-Stop New York!

Explore Non-Stop New York's ethnic richness:
Celebrate Passover: an appreciation of Jewish traditions.
Pasqua: Italian Easter traditions: our tribute to Italy & Roman Catholics.
Pysanky: how-to + history of colored eggs: with love to Ukrainian New Yorkers.
Origami bunny: make it in 2 minutes: artful thanks to Japanese New Yorkers.
Romanian Easter: Eastern Orthodox rites of spring: our salute to Romania.

Open Non-Stop New York's basket of seasonal music and religious artwork:
"The Messiah" by George Frideric Handel [1685-1759]: full text & a midi file.
Resurrection Easter Egg by Faberge; hear "Laudate Dominum" a Mozart-midi.
Stabat Mater: Madonna, miracles, and musicians inspired by this religious myth.
Triptych: breathtaking liturgical artwork from Italy & "Ave Maria" midi file.
Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God: another look and music to mediate by.
The Last Supper: Andrea del Sarto's masterpiece & a magnificent midi.
Midi files [various springtime favorites] are linked to these pages.