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

Great Lent begins

Photo: BTA

After Cheesefare (Forgiveness) Sunday, the Great Lent has begun on March 3. Orthodox Christians will abstain from eating animal food including meat, eggs, milk and dairy products.

The Great Lent symbolizes the 40 days which Jesus spent in the desert. It is not only a dietary fast but also an abstinence from bad thoughts, words and deeds.

Fasting is not a mere diet. The purpose of fasting is to humble the soul by denying the body. Through fasting, the faithful renounce their sins, 'purify themselves' and draw closer to the nature of God and His son, Jesus Christ.




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

Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks start of ecclesiastical New Year on September 1

The New Church Year begins on September 1. The month of September is the seventh month of the year according to the Jewish calendar. It is associated with a number of biblical events, which is why it was designated as the beginning of the Church New..

published on 9/1/25 12:19 PM

In the footsteps of medieval monks – the hidden face of the Ivanovo Rock Monastery

High in the canyon of the Rusenski Lom River lies one of the most impressive spiritual centers of Bulgaria. It is a complex of dozens of rock-hewn cells, chapels and churches carved on both sides of the river , which came to life in the 13th century..

published on 8/31/25 11:35 AM

A liturgy was held on St. John Island near Sozopol for the first time in 500 years

For the first time in 500 years, the chants of the Divine Liturgy echoed through the ruins of the medieval monastery ''St. John the Baptist'' on St. John Island near Sozopol. The occasion was the commemoration of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist,..

published on 8/29/25 11:30 AM