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Fasting
Several Times in the Year the Byzantine Church prescribes
periods of fasting. The least important (but most visible)
aspect of this fasting is a change in the quantity and quality
of food: we eat one meal a day, with no animal products. The
practice of fasting comes highly recommended by the Holy Fathers
and Mothers and, indeed, by the word and example of our Blessed
Lord Himself, it is always seen as a means of purification,
usually before some significant work to be done or decision
to be made.
The
object of fasting is not simply self-discipline, it is that
turning of the soul to God, the re-shaping of the will, that
the Greeks call Metanoia (usually translated into
English as "repentance"). If one's health allows
one to observe the fast with regard to food, one should feel
the need to do the best that one can, but all should
fast of the spirit. In the words of St. John Chrysostom the
fast is of no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual
renewal.
•
The Christmas Fast
(Phillip's Fast)
• Fasting
During Great Lent
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"It is necessary most of all for one who is fasting
to curb anger, to accustom oneself to meekness and condescension,
to have a contrite heart, to repulse impure thoughts and
desires, to examine the conscience, to put one's mind to
the test and to verify what good has been done by us in
this or any other week, and which deficiency we have corrected
in ourself in the present week.
This is true fasting."
St.
John Chrysostom
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