Is It allowed for a Christian to fast on a feast day?

[ForsakenGirl]

kind of confusing me a lot.
like.. a feast day occurs on a fast day? what are you supposed to do then?

 

[Kenny'sID]

You feel obligated to feast on certain days?

 

[Aleksandros]

As far as I know - no fasting on Saturdays and the Lord's Day. That's about it from what I see from the Early Church.

 

[ForsakenGirl]

You feel obligated to feast on certain days?

what do u mean?

 

[Shane R]

You must consider a number of factors. A major, or 'red letter' feast (Holy day of obligation for Catholics), takes precedence over the normal or ordinary periods of fasting. A minor, or 'black letter' feast is a regional or optional observance. In the case of minor feasts, if it is local custom to observe the feast this will take precedence over the ordinary fast. As always, a parishioner should feel free to consult their father-confessor about the observance and their personal rule of prayer and fasting.

 

[Albion]

As Aleksandros and Shane said, the church's policy is for there not to be fasting on feast days. That would conflict with the spirit of the occasion. During Lent, for example, there is fasting but it's not applicable to the Sundays that fall in the middle of that period of time. And I assume that you are asking about fasting days and feast days as a matter wanting to follow the appointed procedure.

 

[aiki]

kind of confusing me a lot.
like.. a feast day occurs on a fast day? what are you supposed to do then?

I know of no mandatory feast day commanded of Christians in the New Testament. Nor are there required days of fasting. Be careful you aren't confusing traditions of men with the commandments of God.

 

[Kenny'sID]

what do u mean?

In order for feast days to get in your way, I was somewhat assuming you felt obligated to keep those feast days, and the question was to make sure my assumption was correct.

 

[SilvaMay]

It depends on a feast day. For example if the Christmas Eve (24th Dec) is on a friday (which is a fast day) then we don't have to fast. This is the only feast that I know about for sure. Usually when a feast day will occur on friday or other fast day, priests remind us a week ahead whether we fast or not (because they have good overview about these things). You probably could find more about this on the internet or ask a priest

God bless you!

 

[ViaCrucis]

kind of confusing me a lot.
like.. a feast day occurs on a fast day? what are you supposed to do then?

There's no law about this; though following the traditional Christian calendar there are traditional times for fasting and traditional times for celebration. When I say there's no law about this I mean that the calendar isn't a divine institution, it's a traditional, liturgical way of devoting ourselves, as the Church, to Christ throughout the course of the year; and the same rites and observances are not uniform throughout the world.

Don't participate in the Church Year because you are afraid of offending God if you don't. Participate in the Church Year because you desire to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ in celebrating God. And don't let anyone judge you one way or the other, read through Romans ch. 14.

These things are a matter of Christian liberty.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[seashale76]

kind of confusing me a lot.
like.. a feast day occurs on a fast day? what are you supposed to do then?

Feast days don't occur on fast days. I'm not following. However, if it is a feast day then you have the liberty to eat what you like (or not eat what you like- I suppose).

In the Orthodox Church most Wednesdays and Fridays of the year are fast days for us (in honor of the betrayal and the crucifixion). Think vegan plus no oil or alcohol on our strict fast days. We always have a period of fasting before any feast days (i.e. Christmas, Pascha (Easter), et cetera). Some fasts are not as strict- like the St. Peter and Paul fast (where we can have fish). After Pascha (Easter) there is no fasting for a prescribed period of time. During Great Lent- Saturdays and Sundays are a lightening of the fast (we're allowed wine and oil). Equally as important as the food we abstain from during a fast is abstaining from entertainment and even marital relations (i.e. sex). For example- we always have a total fast (not even water) from Saturday night until after partaking of communion on Sundays- as part and parcel of being prepared to take communion.

Overall- I'd say not to worry too much about all of this and get bogged down with it if you aren't part of a church that engages in such things. We fast together. We are given helpful calendars, we have fast friendly potlucks, et cetera. We are encouraged to mind our own and not notice if one of our friends at church isn't as strict as we are either due to having difficulty fasting, allergies, pregnancy, other medical issues that would keep one from fasting, et cetera. In the scriptures it mentions when we fast (not if)- but it is not something one should jump into without guidance. When we engage in strict fasting- we ease into it (one week we all cut out meat at the same time and then the next we cut out dairy at the same time)- and we all do it together- which makes it easier.

An article about fasting rules from an Orthodox Christian perspective: The Fasting Rule of the Orthodox Church

 

[ZoeyLouLou]

There would be nothing wrong with that at all. You must first be sure that you are fasting for the right reasons. Are you fasting to lose weight? Or are you fasting for a greater purpose?

When we fast, there is always something we wish to get out of it. It can even be as simple as improvement in our relationship with God. I find it helpful to take the day before the fast begin to prepare for it. Start by making a list of questions you wish to have answered. Then move on to set a goal. Your goal should include the following: How long am I fasting? What am I fasting from?

You should always bear in mind that fasting does not necessarily involve food. You could fast from a specific type of food like meats. You could fast from all food. You could do a Daniel fast (veggies and water). But you could also fast from nonfood things as well. Say you watch too much tv or play too many video games. Maybe you have a habit of going on social media more often than you read your bible. You can fast from these things as well.

The goal of fasting is to put yourself in a position where you strongly desire for something earthly. It tests your faith. When you are fasting (abstaining) from these things, you must turn to prayer, worship, and God's Word. You must choose to focus on the Word instead of your desires.

Fasting can be quite difficult when you first begin- especially food fasts. 24 hours may sound like nothing but you will soon find it will be extremely difficult when you hit the 3 hour mark (or even sooner).

Fasting is the time we are most vulnerable. It is when the devil wants to attack us. As a pastor I know once said, "All hell breaks loose when your faith is loosed." Anytime you draw near to God, the devil wants to pull you away. You must be cautious.

This brings me to my final point: fasting works wonders. The first time I fasted I was closer to God than I ever had been before. I could feel his presence. Do you know the feeling of being in a church praying with a group of people and you feel overwhelmed. The feeling just washes over you. It is as if you cannot stand due to the pressure of such great grace. This is what I felt that day.

I am not saying it will certainly be the same for you. It is different for everyone. What I am saying is that if you remain steadfast (strong, loyal, on track) then great things are to come!

Feel free to inbox me if you wish to know more. I would love to be of assistance to you. Stay safe and happy fasting!

 

[FireDragon76]

Usually, feast days supercede fast days.