The Meaning of Christian Fasting #
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 of fasting: bodily, mental (or emotional), and spiritual. All of these are interconnected and undoubtedly bring great benefit to those who keep them. Let us consider them one by one.
Bodily fasting. When we hear the word fast, the first thing that comes to mind is abstaining from food. This is a necessary part of Christian fasting, for an abundance of food clouds the mind, breeds laziness in prayer, and hinders spiritual vigilance. Christianity, in its collective wisdom, has always recognized the need for moderation in food for the benefit of the soul. The God-inspired Holy Fathers have left us many beneficial guidelines laid out in the Ustav (monastic rule) concerning food.
The Orthodox Church observes four major fasts: the Great Fast (Lent), the Nativity Fast, the Dormition Fast, and the Apostles’ Fast. The Great Fast is observed in preparation for the Resurrection of Christ (Pascha); the Nativity Fast, for His birth; the Dormition Fast, for the Dormition of the Most Holy God-bearer; and the Apostles’ Fast, in honor of the holy foremost apostles Peter and Paul. These fasts vary in strictness and length. In addition, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year (except during fast-free weeks) are also fasting days. Monastics are held to a stricter rule: monks never eat meat at all, and in addition to the common fast days, they also fast on Mondays. The rules regarding food according to the Ustav can be found in Church calendars.
The Gospel tells us of Christ’s forty-day fast in the Judean wilderness. The great prophets of the Old Testament were also exemplary in fasting. Saint John the Forerunner showed us the model of strict fasting, living on locusts and wild honey.
We encounter many wondrous examples of fasting in the lives of Christian saints such as Anthony the Great, Macarius the Great, Nilus of Sinai, Macarius of Egypt, and the holy desert-dweller Mary of Egypt—in whose memory we serve a special Lenten service known as the “Standing of Mary.” Fasting also includes temporary abstinence from all kinds of bodily pleasures.
Mental or emotional fasting involves abstaining from entertainment and recreational events. During the fast, it is beneficial to read spiritual literature, and to visit historical museums, libraries, lectures, or films on spiritual themes—in short, anything that encourages reflection, solitude, and peace of mind.
And finally, the most important part of fasting is spiritual. This is the acquisition of humility and love—the true goal and meaning of fasting. It involves self-examination, the careful study of one’s soul, identifying vices and passions, striving to uproot sinful inclinations, maintaining constant spiritual vigilance, and offering deep, sincere, heartfelt prayer. God may even allow a fall, in order to save the soul from pride and vanity. Yet no matter how we fall, God always gives strength to rise again. From every sinful fall, the All-Merciful One extends His hand to the repentant. God’s Providence is the ever-present opportunity for salvation, for the Lord receives those who come to Him with sincere repentance. Let us remember: the first to enter the Kingdom of Heaven was the repentant thief. Repentance works wonders. The reward from God for fasting and heartfelt, sincere repentance is union with Christ Himself in the great Mystery of the Eucharist!