Fasting Poll on behalf of Andreas

[Philip]

Do you fast?

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

Thank you very much.

 

[Maximus]

I try, but I have not yet succeeded in following all of the fasting rules.

But, then, as my priest has explained it to me, fasting is not some sort of legalistic obligation; it is a discipline that exists for the spiritual benefit of the Orthodox Christian.

I could certainly do a lot better.

 

[Philip]

I fast as best I can. I do, at times, fall short.

I never partake of the Divine Meal if I have not properly fasted.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

One of the main reasons why I wanted this poll to take place was this article I read on www.goarch.org

Fasting, in our days, has become one of the most neglected spiritual values. Because of misunderstandings regarding the nature of fasting, because of confused and reversed priorities in its use, many of today's Orthodox Christians fast very little, or disregard fasting altogether.

The Great and Holy Council of the Orthodox Church which is scheduled to be convened in the near future has placed the problem of fasting as one of the first items on its agenda. It is hoped that through this Council the age-old practice of the Church to use fasting as one of the important means of spiritual growth will regain its proper place in the life of the Church.

Fasting was practiced by the Lord Himself. After prayer and fasting for forty days in the wilderness, the Lord victoriously faced the temptations of the devil (Matthew 4:1-*11). The Lord himself asked the disciples to use fasting as an important spiritual weapon to achieve spiritual victories (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29; Luke 2:37). The example of the Lord was followed by His disciples (Acts 14:23; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 6:5, 11:27, etc.). What is fasting? Why is it so important? Why does fasting precede such important feasts such as Easter and Christmas?

The importance of fasting depends on its meaning. Many of the Fathers have written on fasting. Among others, St. Basil has left us with most inspired comments on fasting. St. Basil tells us that fasting is not abstaining from food only; it is first of all, abstaining from sin. Grounded in the teaching of the Fathers, the Church in its hymnology describes fasting as the mother of chastity and prudence, as the accuser of sin and as the advocate of repentance, the life worthy of angels and the salvation of humans (The Lenten Triodion, trans. Kallistos Ware, London 1978, p. 195). Fasting becomes all of these when observed in the proper spirit.

First of all, fasting is abstinence from food. By detaching us from earthly goods and realities, fasting has a liberating effect on us and makes us worthy of the life of the spirit, a life similar to that of angels. Second, fasting, as abstinence from bad habits and sin, is the mother of Christian virtues, the mother of sound and wholesome thinking; it allows us to establish the proper priority between the material and spiritual, giving priority to the spiritual.

Fasting is the advocate of repentance. Adam and Eve disobeyed God; they refused to fast from the forbidden fruit. They became slaves of their own desires. But now through fasting, through obedience to the rules of the Church regarding the use of spiritual and material goods, we may return to the life in Paradise, a life of communion with God. Thus, fasting is a means of salvation, this salvation being a life we live in accordance with the Divine will, in communion with God.

Because of the liberating effect of fasting, both material and spiritual, the Church has connected fasting with the celebration of the major feasts of our tradition. Easter is, of course, our main feast. It is the "feast of feasts." It is the feast of our liberation from the bondage of sin, from corrupted nature, from death. For on that day, through His Resurrection from the dead, Christ has raised us "from death to life, and from earth to heaven" (Resurrection Canon), Christ, "our new Passover," has taken us away from the land of slavery, sin and death, to the promised land of freedom, bliss and glory; from our sinful condition to resurrected life.

It is most appropriate to prepare for this celebration through a liberating fast, both material and spiritual. This is the profound meaning that fasting takes during the Great Lent. Let us allow ourselves to take advantage of the spiritual riches of the Church. Let us use the precious messianic gifts offered to us through its sacramental life, through its celebrations of the central mysteries of our salvation in Christ. Let us use the spiritual weapons,

"to fight the good fight, to walk the way of fasting, to crush the heads of the invisible dragons, to prove ourselves victorious over sin, and without condemnation to reach our goal of worshiping the Holy Resurrection" (Prayer of the Presanctified Liturgy).

This is the challenge of the Great Lent: to use fasting to obtain the resurrected life, to unite with the Risen Lord. Who could refuse to accept this challenge?
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8124.asp

 

[katherine2001]

I think a better selection would be to ask whether you follow the fasting rule that your priest has set for you. That is the important thing. As my priest pointed out, if I do more than what he tells me to do, then I am doing my own will and being disobedient. I don't follow all the Church's fasting guidelines, but I am following the fasting rule set up for me by my priest.

Also, some Orthodox can't fast due to health, but are doing that with their priest's blessing. For them to fast would also be disobedient.

 

[Matrona]

I do give fasting a try, but I'm a student living on campus without a car, so my food selection is rather limited. I just fast from meat and fish. If I can avoid dairy, I do, but you know, I don't beat myself up about it or anything; if I absolutely can't find anything else I'll eat something with meat. But I've learned my lesson about at least *trying* to keep the fast; one time I got SO sick of having to find meatless stuff, I just went ahead and got something with meat in it. You know what the total came to? $6.66!!

Matrona

 

[mtown]

The ultimate fasting fast food.... peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!!!

yummy!!!!

 

[Peter]

This may sound like a recording, but I too follow the advice of the priest.
The one I learned Orthodoxy under said this, "If you can pray like a monk, fast like a monk."

 

[Photini]

I follow a specific rule given me by my spiritual father. I admit I fall short sometimes.
Sometimes it is difficult because none of my family (except my sister and brother-in-law who live out of state) are Orthodox. They do not fast. It gets awkward sometimes when we have a family get-together.

 

[katherine2001]

Photini, ask your priest about what to do in that situation, so that you are obedient to what he tells you. However, I have had two priests tell me that you eat what they have, even if it is meat. If it is a buffet ora situation where people really may not notice what you are eating, then you might try to get away without eating the meat. However, if people are likely to notice or you are given a plate of food, you eat it without saying a word.

However, of course, what priests advise differs from priest to priest, and even the same priest may give different advice to different people, since each spiritual child is different. All fasting questions are "ask your priest" in my opinion.

 

[Photini]

However, of course, what priests advise differs from priest to priest, and even the same priest may give different advice to different people, since each spiritual child is different. All fasting questions are "ask your priest" in my opinion.

I agree. I've basically been doing just as you said above, because I didn't think to ask my spiritual father when I saw him last. I think with a little time my family will become more accustomed to the changes taking place. (Of course, I pray one day they will also become Orthodox....)

 

[Reader Nilus]

It depends on the place one finds oneself in, when I was taking care of my mom, my priest did not expect me to fast because of hospitality over rides fasting.
Jeff the Finn

 

[fiona232]

Hi All

I live in a mixed household so it does make it difficult to fast at times. Many people dont seem to realise if one is ill, fasting could increase their health risk, & so one can seek advice from their spiritual father about this. I always fast prior to taking communion. Some Orthodox tell me how they drink water and even have a smoke...For me personally, I prefer to stick w the no water no food no smoke principle......

Cheers
Fiona

 

[Orthodox6]

I follow the "food" fast and the "marital" fast as handed down by the Church. My downfall is the "spiritual" fast, because I sin constantly in thought, speech, and action. Recently I lamented this to my confessor, asking him if it was not "pointless" that I succeed in following the "food" and "marital" fasts, since I daily bomb-out on everything else. He answered "no", since I was, at least, fulfilling obedience in some things.

As already posted, always follow the "rule" set for you by your confessor or spiritual father. Genuine illness can be just cause -- with permission from ones confessor, not just from ones own inclination -- for modifying the fast. But it should be for a real medical condition, not for a fleeting cold, monthly cramps, or some such.

I live in a large city, vegan products are readily (and affordably) available, and I'm a good cook. The "food" fast, for me, then, becomes controlling quantity of intake and avoiding "elegance" in dining! Fasting while confined to a college campus would be VERY hard, I'm sure! [Where I went to college, I would have been living on kale -- GAAURGH!!!]

I have heard priests give advice about "hospitality", 180-deg. away from each other!

The teachings of the Holy Fathers, however, are unambiguous and easy to locate.

 

[Matthias]

Gosh no, if I fasted I'd be even skinnier than I am already.