One thing I quickly discovered on converting to Orthodoxy is that Orthodox Lent is, for lack of a better word, hardcore. I was familiar, as I think most modern Westerners are, with Catholic Lent, and giving up, say, artificial sweetener seemed like a good token sacrifice. A nice, doable one. For those unfamiliar with Orthodox fasting, I recommend this page. In short, you are restricted to a vegan diet sans olive oil and alcohol, and also restricted from marital relations. That's the base rules - there are more, depending on the week and day of Lent. Read the link I provided for full details. In the spirit of Lent, and wanting to focus more on prayer and meditaton, I opted to give up video games (ack!) because for medical reasons I can't keep the full fast. This year, our Great Lent runs from March 3rd to April 20th (48 days, if I have my math right).
Hardcore, and long.
But it's really important, and I'm glad we have the strict tradition we do, because I've come to view it really more like a holiday.
Say what? Yes, you read that right. A holiday from the world. It's very easy to get caught up in the crazy world that we live in, and Lent is a break from that. We are strongly encouraged, during this special time of year, to make a special effort. To give charity, to study scripture, and many other things - in short, to be a better Christian. Not a perfect Christain (unattainable), or maybe even a good one - just better. As Fr. Stephen says, we can only do according to the grace that is given to us. We are each at a different point on our spiritual path, and it's not good to skip ahead and take too much on. Lent is a blessed time of year when we focus solely on Christ, and the ascetic traditions of the church are passed down from generation to generation because they are an enormous help in doing that.
That's not to say that it's pleasant or easy. Quite the opposite. But in my limited experience, the only way to get through these fasting periods (of which Lent is the longest, but certainly not the only) is to focus on what you are gaining - which is a closer relationship with God. So rather than looking ahead to Easter, when I can finally eat a cheeseburger and get back to Guild Wars, I focus on the present. Yes, I'm hungry and irritable and I can't zone out for a couple of hours in Kerbal to forget about my problems. But I've read more, and just generally gotten more done, in the last ten days than I usually do in a month. The house is clean. I've read a good book. I've actually gotten some good work in on my book. I've prayed every night (still working on mornings, but it isn't going well - I can't remember what my own name is before I get a cup of coffee). I've been going to Vespers and staying late, having great conversations with my priest and the few others that stick around. I've started this blog (finally) and I even update occasionally! So my to-do list is looking good. But most importantly, I feel closer to God - with every long prayer, and every unsatisfying bowl of vegetables. :P I feel less attached to the things that usually seem so important, and more focused on the most important.
But I'm still glad it's only 48 days. This is the diary of a part-time nun.
With love,
Magdalene
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