Lent suggestion for inquirers and those new to Orthodoxy.

[Akathist]

Please talk to the Priest at the church you are attending about the Lenten Fast.

It is important to have his blessings to fast as fasting can create some temptations and challenges that one must be ready to handle before trying to follow the fast to the full degree.

When I was new to Orthodoxy the first fast I tried to follow was the Nativity Fast and I crashed and burned up on it. I speak to my Priest once a week so just as I was starting to get really depressed and to feel like giving up on converting, my Priest was able to help me and guide me to do the fast to the level that was challenging to me but not so overwelming that it would become a stumbling block to my spiritual growth.

There are some people that do not have the particular struggles that I had and may not have any problems. But I think that it is always a good idea to talk out things like fasting and prayer rules and so forth with one's Priest.

Call the Priest up and talk over the phone or set an appointment to go and see him. And remember, that no one here at TAW are Priests. Never take what I say or what anyone else says here over that of your Priest.

Fasting gives great benefits, so I am not suggesting it is a bad thing. Just don't try to run a marathon if you are out of shape.

[Tsarina]

Thanks for the advice, hon. :)

Happy Birthday!!!!!

[MariaRegina]

Please don't judge.

Perhaps, this is the most difficult lesson to learn for inquirers, catechumens and confirmed members of Orthodoxy.

[Theophorus]

Try to pray as much as you can during the fast. Try to be "nice". Think of others, Seek help, from wise souls. And seek help from your priest (Happy Birthday TG)

[Akathist]

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

(I didn't say this... shhhh........... you could consider staying out of General Theology for lent...... shhhhhhh shhhhh, pass it on.......)

[Theophorus]

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

(I didn't say this... shhhh........... you could consider staying out of General Theology for lent...... shhhhhhh shhhhh, pass it on.......)

Is it not lenten/nativity tradition? :)

[Akathist]

Is it not lenten/nativity tradition? :)

Oh, let it be so now and ever and unto ages of ages!

[Marxist]

(I didn't say this... shhhh........... you could consider staying out of General Theology for lent...... shhhhhhh shhhhh, pass it on.......)

That's not a penance, that's a way to preserve my mental health. ^_^
I have never posted there and don't plan to.

[georgia123]

Thank you for the fasting and prayer suggestions. I am new to Orthodoxy and find that I get so disappointed in myself for being so weak. I tried so hard to make it all the way through the Nativity fast but failed miserably. Thankfully I have a wonderful Priest who never fails to set me on the right path again.

[Marxist]

So what does everyone think of hummus. I've never eaten it....anyone want to share a recipe? I usually just eat my chick peas out of the can.

[Greg the byzantine]

So what does everyone think of hummus. I've never eaten it....anyone want to share a recipe? I usually just eat my chick peas out of the can.
My mother eats it on pita chips, I hate the stuff. Although chickpeas are good in a salad, or even cooked in Tomatoe sauce with onions celery and carrot :yum:

[Akathist]

So what does everyone think of hummus. I've never eaten it....anyone want to share a recipe? I usually just eat my chick peas out of the can.

My hummus recipie is to go to Felpauche Grocery to the imported cheese case (try not to look at the cheese) and buy the "Middle Eastern" brand "Original" flavor or "Roasted Tomatoes" flavor.

I like to eat it just on soft bread or on softened pitas. But sometimes I will cut up some tomatoes and cucumbers and make a sandwhich of humus and veggies.

[Mary of Bethany]

I like the hummus flavored with roasted tomatoes, or the red peppers, and the garlic-flavored one is okay, too.

I really like it on crispbread, or on any good thick bread.

Mary

[Mary of Bethany]

Abp. DMITRI visited our parish Sunday, and during his sermon he gave some interesting advice. He was talking about keeping the fast, and how we shouldn't talk about it at all, and he even said *not* to bring it up during confession!

Mary

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Please talk to the Priest at the church you are attending about the Lenten Fast.

It is important to have his blessings to fast as fasting can create some temptations and challenges that one must be ready to handle before trying to follow the fast to the full degree.

When I was new to Orthodoxy the first fast I tried to follow was the Nativity Fast and I crashed and burned up on it. I speak to my Priest once a week so just as I was starting to get really depressed and to feel like giving up on converting, my Priest was able to help me and guide me to do the fast to the level that was challenging to me but not so overwelming that it would become a stumbling block to my spiritual growth.

There are some people that do not have the particular struggles that I had and may not have any problems. But I think that it is always a good idea to talk out things like fasting and prayer rules and so forth with one's Priest.

Call the Priest up and talk over the phone or set an appointment to go and see him. And remember, that no one here at TAW are Priests. Never take what I say or what anyone else says here over that of your Priest.

Fasting gives great benefits, so I am not suggesting it is a bad thing. Just don't try to run a marathon if you are out of shape.
Thank you deeply for posting that!

[kamikat]

So what does everyone think of hummus. I've never eaten it....anyone want to share a recipe? I usually just eat my chick peas out of the can.

I don't have an exact recipe. Into a blender, pour a can of chick peas, a tablspoon of tahini (seseame paste) 2-5 cloves of garlic (depending on taste) a squeeze of lemon or two (depending on taste) and a drizzle of olive oil. Blend until smooth. Some people like to add salt and pepper. Some people like to add powdered cumin. I know olive oil isn't good for the strict fast, can you use other oil? If not, I'm not sure how it would turn out without oil of any kind.

kamikat

[Akathist]

The issue of the oil differs from parish to parish and person to person.

In my parish about 1/3rd of the members say "no oil at all" and the rest say no "olive oil" but in moderation other oil is fine.