At Danmar Farms, we understand that the Orthodox Easter holiday is an exceptional time of year. During this period, our customer care team is available to answer any questions that customers may have and to ensure that they get the perfect meat for their observance.
One of the most important aspects of observing the Orthodox Easter is the blessing of the meat. Through this ritual, a prayer is offered to thank God for providing the food that the family will share. It is a chance to give thanks for the contributions of the land and animals being sacrificed for the current meal. At Danmar Farms, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality meat products to ensure that they can fully participate in this blessing ritual.
Orthodox Christians will fast before Easter as part of the observance of the Holy Week. The Easter holiday is one of the most important religious holidays in the Orthodox Christian world, and as such, it involves traditional fasting practices that have been observed for centuries. The fast is known as the Great Lent, and its duration varies from year to year but generally lasts between 6-7 weeks. It begins on the Monday following Meatfare Sunday and runs for 40 days until Holy Saturday. During this time, Orthodox Christians abstain from all animal products, such as fish, eggs, dairy, and red meats. This is observed as a form of spiritual discipline that prepares them for the celebration of Easter.
During the Great Lent, Orthodox Christians are encouraged to use this period of fasting and abstinence to focus on spiritual growth and dedication to their faith. It is common practice for Orthodox Christians to spend more time in church or engage in other spiritual activities throughout the fast. This helps them build a closer relationship with God and strengthen their relationships with the community.
Throughout the Great Lent, seafood is permitted on certain days, and Saturdays and Sundays are often referred to as 'Cheesefare Week' and 'Fishfare Week.' These days, non-animal products such as dairy and seafood can be consumed. This helps ensure that those observing the fast can maintain a balanced and nutritious diet during the Lenten period.
On the Saturday before Easter Sunday, known as the Saturday of the Dead, a special prayer service is held in remembrance of the dead. This is followed by a special blessing ceremony known as 'the Blessing of the Meat'. This ceremony sees the priest bless pieces of lamb and goat that have been fetched from the local butcher shop, and it is popularly believed that consuming this blessed meat on the eve of Easter Sunday is a sign of good fortune.
Following the Blessing of the Meat, Orthodox Christians break out into a joyous feast, having refrained from meat for the duration of the Great Lent. This meal marks the end of the fast, and many families will share in the meal as part of their Easter celebration.
The Great Lent is an integral part of the Orthodox Christian faith, allowing fasting and abstinence to bring believers closer to their faith and their community. By abstaining from red meat, eggs, dairy, and other animal products throughout the fast, Orthodox Christians can focus on spiritual matters and have a better appreciation of the joyous occasion that is Easter Sunday.
We invite all of our customers to visit us at Danmar Farms so that we can help them find the perfect meat for their celebrations.