The very unAmerican and foreign practice of fasting is actually a regular practice in the historic Christian church. Christians have, from the beginning, consistently and regularly practiced fasting. But what does that mean? In Scripture, we see a few examples of people doing a fast. But these are the extreme, total fasts, like Moses and Jesus, both, on a mountain, eating nothing for forty days. This is not what they church encourages us to do. Not to say that the church discourages us from doing these, but the regular practice of fasting in the church is different.
The Orthodox church has, in its yearly calendar, a regular cycle of fasting. You can look here to see the calendar for our current month: calendar.
What is the point of fasting? For the Orthodox church, fasting is a tool to help us learn self control. We practice a regular cycle (weekly) of fasting from certain foods, at certain times, to learn to be able to say no to our flesh/passions/desires and focus on prayer and things spiritual. The church gives very general directions about how to fast and from what food and one can receive specifics on fasting from their priest or spiritual father, if something in the general instructions is unclear, or if you think you see yourself as an exception from these, for some reason (medical or otherwise).
The simple fact is, fasting is very valuable. So much of our lives, especially in modern day America, is about instant gratification and having a multitude of choices, instantaneously. At this point in time, we can pretty much have whatever we want, whenever we want it. This mentality is very bad for our souls. This sort of thinking/practice totally gratifies our flesh and our passions, which is the exact opposite of how we grow and mature in holiness.
We can really see the wisdom of God, in the church, for fasting really does work. It is far more difficult to do than it sounds. To have a refrigerator full of food and only allow one self to eat what is directed by the church is a struggle.
When we combine this sort of fasting with extra prayer, reading and church attendance, the long term results are amazing. Just like someone who has committed to jogging everyday, one does not necessarily see immediate results, but in the long term, one will eventually be able to run a marathon. Fasting is one of the tools the church has given us to help us grow in holiness. We learn to turn away from our passions, we learn to fight against sin, we learn how to love God and love neighbor and we learn how to see into our hearts and repent of the sin we find there.
Here is a link to some good books on the practice of fasting: here.
The Orthodox church has, in its yearly calendar, a regular cycle of fasting. You can look here to see the calendar for our current month: calendar.
What is the point of fasting? For the Orthodox church, fasting is a tool to help us learn self control. We practice a regular cycle (weekly) of fasting from certain foods, at certain times, to learn to be able to say no to our flesh/passions/desires and focus on prayer and things spiritual. The church gives very general directions about how to fast and from what food and one can receive specifics on fasting from their priest or spiritual father, if something in the general instructions is unclear, or if you think you see yourself as an exception from these, for some reason (medical or otherwise).
The simple fact is, fasting is very valuable. So much of our lives, especially in modern day America, is about instant gratification and having a multitude of choices, instantaneously. At this point in time, we can pretty much have whatever we want, whenever we want it. This mentality is very bad for our souls. This sort of thinking/practice totally gratifies our flesh and our passions, which is the exact opposite of how we grow and mature in holiness.
We can really see the wisdom of God, in the church, for fasting really does work. It is far more difficult to do than it sounds. To have a refrigerator full of food and only allow one self to eat what is directed by the church is a struggle.
When we combine this sort of fasting with extra prayer, reading and church attendance, the long term results are amazing. Just like someone who has committed to jogging everyday, one does not necessarily see immediate results, but in the long term, one will eventually be able to run a marathon. Fasting is one of the tools the church has given us to help us grow in holiness. We learn to turn away from our passions, we learn to fight against sin, we learn how to love God and love neighbor and we learn how to see into our hearts and repent of the sin we find there.
Here is a link to some good books on the practice of fasting: here.
