Russian Ambassador Explains The Difference Between Orthodox Christian Fasting And Islam

Orthodox Christians also know worship fasting at certain times, just like Muslims.

However, there are differences in the fasting ritual. Ambassador Russia for Indonesia, Lyudmila Georgievna Vorobieva, tries to explain the difference between fasting worship between Orthodox Christians and Muslims.

Vorobieva, who is an Orthodox Christian, revealed that the fasting period in her religion lasts 49 days. Orthodox Christianity is the majority religion practiced in Russia, Ukraine and a number of Eastern European countries.

“I am [penganut Kristen] Russian Orthodox and in our tradition, in the Russian Orthodox tradition, we have periods of fasting. This year, it will be the same as Ramadan. But the way we fast is different from [saat] Ramadan. We are not limited in terms of when we eat, we are limited in food choices during the 49-day fasting period and that ends at Easter, the celebration of Easter,” he said in an interview. CNNIndonesia.comThursday (21/4).

Vorobieva said Orthodox Christians are not allowed to eat food of animal origin while performing the worship.

“You can’t eat anything that is produced by animals, that means meat, milk, eggs, dairy products. Only vegetables and cereals. And the strictest period of fasting, we call it the Great Lent fast, it takes place before Easter. And Easter for us [dirayakan] on Sunday [24/4] this,” he said.

Although the way of fasting between Orthodox Christians and Muslims is different, Vorobieva believes that fasting is basically intended for one’s spiritual development.

“However, I think the meaning of fasting in our tradition and Islam is the same, namely in this period, you don’t focus on the needs of your body. You have to concentrate on your spiritual development. This is a time to make you a better person, basically,” said Vorobieva again.

This year, the Christian Easter celebrations take place in the same month as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast for one month. They perform Suhoor before Imsak and break their fast during the Maghrib call.

(bac)

[Gambas:Video CNN]

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