can speak with your parish priest or visit the In the practice of it is important to re- 2. AND Online Chapel at http://www.goarch.org/ member that we are not fasting simply for the chapel. Because there is a great diversity sake of fasting. Our observance of the fasting Faith and Life is a new pamphlet series in fasting disciplines people observe, you days and periods of the is for our spiri- that provides an introduction to a wide range Fasting should also consult your parish priest about tual growth and greater communion with God. of spiritual and theological issues. Drawing how to incorporate the discipline of fasting It is not to be a superficial practice aimed at ob- from the beauty and wisdom of Orthodox into your religious life. taining the praise of others. Fasting is also not in- , the series addresses the challenges tended to be so all-consuming that we become of contemporary life and offers guidance to Because of the liberating effect of fast- fixated by how we can design methods and help you grow in your relationship with God ing, both material and spiritual, the Church recipes to experience enjoyable food without and in your commitment to His will for your has connected fasting with the celebration breaking the “rules.” No matter how austere our life. The series is a collaborative effort of the of the major feasts of our tradition. Pascha fast or how much in accordance our fast may be Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Departments is, of course, the most important feast of the with purely technical “rules,” it is void of faith and of Church and Society, Communications, Church. It is the “Feast of feasts.” It is the grace if we are not also committed to and Internet Ministries, Outreach and Evangelism, feast of our liberation from the bondage of worship, study and growth in our knowledge of Religious Education, and Youth and Young Adult sin, from corrupted nature, from . For our Faith, and philanthropic and charitable acts. Ministries. on that day, through His from the dead, Christ has raised us “from death to As Orthodox Christians, let us cherish fast- A life, and from earth to heaven” (Resurrection ing as a vital part of our spiritual lives and prac- Examines the major themes and meanings of each day of ). Christ, “our new ,” has tak- tice. Let us experience the great joys that come Holy Week and serves as a wonderful introduction to the en us away from the land of slavery, sin and through fasting as it contributes to a life of re- varied services that take place during the Great and Holy Week. death, to the promised land of freedom, bliss pentance and prayer. And in following the wise and glory; from our sinful condition to resur- and spiritual traditions of the Church, let us of- B Fasting rected life. It is most appropriate to prepare fer all “to fight the good fight, to walk the way of Provides an overview on the Biblical roots, practice, and theological significance of fasting in the Church and how it for this celebration through both material fasting…to prove ourselves victorious over sin, and is an important part of our growth in the Orthodox Christian and spiritual fasting. without condemnation to reach our goal of wor- faith. shiping the Holy Resurrection,” our goal of eternal C During Great Lent, which culminates in life. (Prayer of the Presanctified Liturgy). Dating of Easter (Pascha) the period of Holy Week and our celebra- In The Orthodox Church Explains how the is calculated each year and tion of Pascha, fasting has a more profound why Western Christians usually celebrate Easter earlier than meaning. During this forty day period of Orthodox Christians. Great Lent, a period that reflects our ongo- ing journey from death to life, our Orthodox Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Church prescribes a more intense fast as an Photos courtesy of John Thomas. aid in and transformation. Fast- by TheoLogic Systems, Inc. ing, along with prayer, worship and giving For additional resources, visit... during this sacred period of the year, leads us FAITH.GOARCH.ORG to reflect upon how we should live always in relationship with God and to commit to a life of faith and holiness. In this way, the entirety of the year, and each day of our lives, moves us closer to eternal salvation in the Kingdom 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 of God. Tel: (212) 570-3500 • Fax: (212) 570-3569 FAITH.GOARCH.ORG 4 5 E-mail:[email protected] • Web: www.goarch.org 2. LENT AND EASTER B. Fasting

Fasting into a blessed life filled with the presence, power, and grace of God. asting, or abstaining from food, was a Let us set out with joy upon the By fasting, we also demonstrate the sincerity Fdiscipline practiced by our Lord himself. season of the Fast, and prepare of our repentance. disobeyed God It was after forty days of prayer and fasting by refusing to fast from the forbidden fruit. They in the wilderness, that victoriously ourselves for spiritual combat. were controlled completely by their own desires. faced the temptations of the devil (Matthew Let us PURIFY OUR SOUL But now through fasting, through obedience to 4:1-11). He asked his disciples to use fasting, and cleanse our flesh; and as we the discipline of the Church regarding the use coupled with prayer, as a means to achieve of spiritual and material goods, we may return spiritual victories (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29; fast from food, let us abstain also to the life in Paradise, a life of communion with Luke 2:37), and the example of the Lord was from every passion. Rejoicing in God. Thus, the discipline of fasting is a means to followed by the disciples in their apostolic salvation. It aids our journey from sin and death the virtues of the Spirit may we ministry and instruction to the early to eternal life by helping us focus on our need Christians (Acts 14:23; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 7:5; persevere with love, and so be for God’s grace and forgiveness. Through fasting 2 Corinthians 6:5, 11:27). counted worthy to see the solemn we are engaged in the struggle against sin, and through discipline and abstinence, the sincerity The practice of fasting is rich with mean- Passion of Christ our God, and of our repentance is affirmed. ing. Many of the Holy Fathers throughout the with great spiritual gladness to history of the Church have written about the This is why fasting is a regular practice for Or- significance of fasting. Basil, for exam- behold His holy Pascha. thodox Christians. Fast days and periods have ple, tells us that fasting is not simply abstain- on the Sunday of Forgiveness been established by the Church throughout the ing from food; it is, more importantly, the year to help us direct our hearts and minds to- avoidance of sin. The Church in her hymnol- ward the life of prayer and worship, our spiritual ogy describes fasting as the mother of chas- needs, and the condition of our souls and rela- tity and prudence, as the accuser of sin and ships and our spiritual needs, and even endan- tionship with God. During most weeks, Wednes- as the advocate of repentance, the life wor- gering our well-being. By subordinating the de- day and Friday are fast days. On these days, we thy of angels and the salvation of humans. sires of the body, fasting helps us reestablish a are guided to abstain from meat, dairy products Fasting becomes all of these when observed order in our lives as Christians. It helps us and oil and . On some days, fish, wine, and in the proper spirit. to open our minds and souls to the guidance of oil may be permitted if a specific feast falls on a the Spirit and to break away from our captivity Wednesday or Friday or a portion of a fast is not In its most basic sense, fasting is absti- to bodily appetites and selfish desires. Through as strict as other times. nence from food. But it is far more than that. fasting we overcome the burdens and pressures Through a very natural process created by of physical gratification that are placed upon us The calendar and practice of the Church has God, we consume food for sustenance, en- in our world, and through our faith in Christ we fasting periods, which include the forty days of ergy, and life. However, we can be inclined are renewed and transformed into the holy peo- Great Lent and Holy Week, before Pascha, the to take more than we need or to be so con- ple God created us to be. In addition, through (November 15-December 24), the trolled by our physical desire that we focus fasting we move away from an entanglement Apostles Fast (the Monday after the Sunday of only on what we eat, neglecting our relation- and conformity to sinful passions and desires, All to June 28) and the Dormition Fast (Au- gust 1-14). For the complete fasting calendar you 1 2 3