We read of the true meaning and spiritual purpose of fasting in the writings of one of the brightest apologists of Orthodoxy in the early 20th century — Bishop Mikhail (Semyonov). What is fasting? Nowadays we hear many objections against fasting — often and from many directions. Why fast at all? “Not that which goeth into…
In addition to the commonly observed fasting days for all (the four long fasts, and Wednesdays and Fridays of each week), there also exist customs of private fasting. A Christian, in agreement with his spiritual father, may take on an additional day of abstinence to strengthen his repentance. An extra fasting day may also be…
What is fasting? In general, fasting is abstinence—abstinence from carnal things, from sin, from anything that may corrupt our soul and lead us astray from the path of salvation. Fasting is a multifaceted discipline that touches not only on food but also on many other aspects of Christian life. There are three components, three dimensions…
Although the basic requirements of the fast are laid out in any Church calendar, both believers and non-believers often have a wide range of questions on this topic. How does one properly prepare for the beginning of the fast? How should the first week be spent? Priest Ioann Kurbatsky: The Church prepares Christians for Great…
Fasting, as a form of piety, has been known since ancient times. The Old Testament recounts prophets who fasted during their communion with God, such as the prophet Moses, who fasted for forty days while conversing with God on Mount Sinai. Even abstaining from eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and…
Observing fasts teaches Christians one of the virtues, namely temperance. The righteous and the prophets of Old Testament times observed fasting. Even our Lord Himself fasted, giving us an example of restraint. The requirement for Christians to observe the Great Fast and one-day fasts is found in the Apostolic Canons. The 69th canon of the…
According to ancient pious customs, children in Old Believer families were taught to fast from the age of two or three. Today, the more common practice is to begin fasting labors upon emerging from infancy, around six or seven years of age. It is at about this age that a child begins to understand the…
Man, in the conditions of this earthly existence, is like a prisoner in a “dungeon.” “In every person, in his soul, there is a noble captive whom he must set free. There is no one in the world in whose depths does not often clang and rattle the chains of a noble, tightly shackled prisoner…
In our era, after decades of atheism, many have not forgotten God but possess a mistaken notion about the path to salvation. Some people believe that being baptized and not harming anyone suffices for sainthood. They think it’s not necessary to observe fasting days for the salvation of the soul. However, Christian life is not…
by Bishop Mikhail Semyonov What is fasting? Nowadays, we hear objections against fasting more frequently than ever. Why is it necessary? “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the mouth,” saith the Lord. Yes, He said it. He said it—He who fasted forty days and gave…