Fasting

[HumbleSiPilot77]

Philotei, I need to ask you, how is fasting done within the Greek Military? When I talked to the military chaplain last time, he said, he was fasting, but he is freely able to, I don't think he has a workload like ours. Since we have been deployed, I haven't tried, because, 1) Military meals are extremely non-vegeterian, I guess there is a standard for protein intake, 2) I never know how hard I am going to be working, this being the desert, therefore I never tried, back in the US, I kept with my weekly fasts.

 

[nutroll]

Who wants to take a stab at the purpose of fasting? I'll give rep to whoever manages to correctly state the Orthodox teaching first.

Using up the chickpeas that are going to go bad if you don't make hummus with them?

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

I'll give rep to whoever manages to correctly state the Orthodox teaching first.

Short and easy, spiritual discipline...

 

[Philothei]

Philotei, I need to ask you, how is fasting done within the Greek Military? When I talked to the military chaplain last time, he said, he was fasting, but he is freely able to, I don't think he has a workload like ours. Since we have been deployed, I haven't tried, because, 1) Military meals are extremely non-vegeterian, I guess there is a standard for protein intake, 2) I never know how hard I am going to be working, this being the desert, therefore I never tried, back in the US, I kept with my weekly fasts.

Well, I tell ya. The Greek army "bean soup" is very famous in our army... lol... also it is notorious for finding little stones... in it... It is a cheap and healthy food the ssame with lentil soup, for fasting days this is the menu... The Greek Army/Navy/Ariforce is notorious for "bad food" my nephew had "take out" all through his service it cost my brother an arm and a leg to have my nephew in the navy... Yes, the arm forces keep the fast, it costs them less and it is eat all you can..... My brother is a retired Navy officer so I know well what they serve...

Hope that helps ,
Philothei

 

[Philothei]

Using up the chickpeas that are going to go bad if you don't make hummus with them?

yeah... and you can also freeze any leftover lenten soup... mmm it is good with vinegar...

Philothei

 

[Philothei]

Greek navy website with St. Nicholas...


http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/gallery05_en.asp
God bless,
Philothei

 

[Xpycoctomos]

The point is NOT giving something up for God. That's the purpose of "fasting" that I typically hear from Catholics (and those protestants who have adapted fasting as a practice, mostly taken from the Catholics.) That;s a false understanding of the purpose of fasting, and it thusly follows that the 2 practices are not equatable based on that (false) criteria.

Who wants to take a stab at the purpose of fasting? I'll give rep to whoever manages to correctly state the Orthodox teaching first.

Actually, you can read from a whole lot of Church Fathers who give different reasons and all of them good. But the culminating reason is to achieve theosis. Can't argue with that one! ha! give me my points! lol

 

[Xpycoctomos]

Also it is up to your SF but I would not worry about fasting... my God under your situation being at the battlefield and all....No way.

God bless,
Philothei

Thta's what I would think. I mean, if pregnant woman can forgo fasting... certainly someone in BMs position can.

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

My SF is a graduate of Holy Cross, and he was ordained by Archbishop Iavokos, and he showed me some pics couple years back, where Archbishop visiting with Hellenic troops, and their chaplains were like our priests in civilian, our Army doesn't let them grow beards and etc and they wear the same uniform, that was my clue that faith must be an important part in Greek Armed Forces. I am just an outsider though.

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

But pregnant woman eats for two. My only issue is, I don't know what task I might get. I might prepare my mind and start fasting, but in the middle of the day, I might get a task in the heat that might cause problems, then I would have to explain why I didn't eat, etc etc etc

But heck all these in my mind sound like an excuse, I feel really bad not doing it.

 

[Philothei]

Since you are in the dessert you must contemplate of how the desert fathers felt... In a way it is an opportunity to describe to us how you experience dessert... Is it so harsh as most describe it? Of course being were you are... makes it so much more harder.

God bless,
Philothei

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

It is nothing like desert fathers experienced it, of course our tents and work areas are air conditioned, food and drinks are at abundance. What desert fathers did is out of this world....

 

[Philothei]

Your tents are airconditioned??? lol.... I did not expect that one... but I guess it makes sense. I wonder how the desert fathers survived that cruel conditions then? God's love and mercy is so abudant and that is how they survived.... by His mercy.

God bless,
Philothei

 

[HumbleSiPilot77]

I'd rather be with a desert father learning the faith in the nature, than being here...

They are air-conditioned, so much air-conditioned sometimes makes me throw a few bad words at it. It GETS SO COLD in our sleeping tents... Come on....

 

[Hoankan]

Well, yes, I agree that the attitude is potentially hazardous. But as long as it is in accordance with God's will, I should be fine as long as I watch myself. Tell me your most extreme fasting practices, I'll take yer all on!

I don't think the best way to fast is to take us all on. What might be an easy fast for me would torment another.

For example, a 12 hour fast is nothing to me as I do about 18 hour daily (I skip all breakfasts) and I've done 36 hours with only two cups of tea.

My problem though lies in the long fasts. The last two week fast is a great example. First day, I'm fine. Second day, I get an invite out for sushi. Still no problem though watching the delicious fish slide by was torment. Third day though, I get invited to a movie and ice cream, my best friend calls and says he's got a case of fresh Brazillian sausage, another friend comes back from the US and drops off a pack of pepporoni for pizzas, and another friend wants me to barbeque for him that weekend. At that point I was about on the floor in the fetal position whimpering from the amount of temptation.

But I try anyway. I fail and I get up again and try again. And I grow closer to God through the challenges and prayers.

So if you like, maybe you can join us for the Nativity fast starting Mid-December and going to December 24th. No meet, no cheese, no milk, no egg, no fish etc. But just know that as the reason behind your desire to fast and ours is different.

 

[Lukaris]

Well, yes, I agree that the attitude is potentially hazardous. But as long as it is in accordance with God's will, I should be fine as long as I watch myself. Tell me your most extreme fasting practices, I'll take yer all on!

"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." (Matthew 6:17-18).

 

[fuerein]

The point is NOT giving something up for God. That's the purpose of "fasting" that I typically hear from Catholics (and those protestants who have adapted fasting as a practice, mostly taken from the Catholics.) That;s a false understanding of the purpose of fasting, and it thusly follows that the 2 practices are not equatable based on that (false) criteria.

Who wants to take a stab at the purpose of fasting? I'll give rep to whoever manages to correctly state the Orthodox teaching first.

Hmm, in the protestant church I grew up in most times people talked about fasting as a method of growing closer to God. The typical fasting instructions in that church were to spend whatever time you would have spent cooking/eating in prayer with God. The concept of 'giving something up for God' I've only heard from Catholics.

 

[disasm]

I don't think the best way to fast is to take us all on. What might be an easy fast for me would torment another.

For example, a 12 hour fast is nothing to me as I do about 18 hour daily (I skip all breakfasts) and I've done 36 hours with only two cups of tea.

My problem though lies in the long fasts. The last two week fast is a great example. First day, I'm fine. Second day, I get an invite out for sushi. Still no problem though watching the delicious fish slide by was torment. Third day though, I get invited to a movie and ice cream, my best friend calls and says he's got a case of fresh Brazillian sausage, another friend comes back from the US and drops off a pack of pepporoni for pizzas, and another friend wants me to barbeque for him that weekend. At that point I was about on the floor in the fetal position whimpering from the amount of temptation.

But I try anyway. I fail and I get up again and try again. And I grow closer to God through the challenges and prayers.

So if you like, maybe you can join us for the Nativity fast starting Mid-December and going to December 24th. No meet, no cheese, no milk, no egg, no fish etc. But just know that as the reason behind your desire to fast and ours is different.

It starts mid-November. The 15th to be exact.

Sam

 

[MariaRegina]

I'd rather be with a desert father learning the faith in the nature, than being here...

...

I agree, but that is an impossibility.

Come on over to Orthopraxis and take a break from CF .. errrr ... foru.ms.

In fact, take a look at this post and poster ... he is unique to OP

http://z8.invisionfree.com/Orthopraxis/index.php?showtopic=777&st=0#entry2922564

 

[cobweb]

I agree, but that is an impossibility.

Come on over to Orthopraxis and take a break from CF .. errrr ... foru.ms.

In fact, take a look at this post and poster ... he is unique to OP

http://z8.invisionfree.com/Orthopraxis/index.php?showtopic=777&st=0#entry2922564

I think I might be coming too. I have found some of the things (one in particular) happening in some of the other forums here to be absolutely sickening.

I love TAW, but I think I might need a new home.