B
Blind_Didymus
Guest
Peace be with you,
As Christ said, My disciples will fast, and, When ye fast…, it is not possible to be a Christian without fasting in some way, shape or form. This may be as little as not eating beef on Fridays or as much as not eating or drinking at all for over a month.
Either way, one ought to fast under the guidance of one’s spiritual father lest pride should find a place in one’s soul.
In the Coptic Orthodox Church, it is standard for all to fast from all animal products on all Wednesdays and Fridays except between Resurrection Sunday and Pentecost and whenever a major feast falls on one of those days. Many people also refrain from eating at all until a certain hour on fast days.
The Church also has several other fasting periods including Lent, Advent, the Apostles’ Fast, St Mary’s Fast and others. During some of these fasts, ‘fish’ (or rather seafood in general) is permitted. (Still trying to work out whether or not frog counts as seafood
Lives in the water doesn’t it?)
That said, while travelling, sick or with child (as a waiting mother) one is generally exempt from fasting as the ancient tradition holds. If one’s sickness is permanent (e.g. diabetes) then one should seek priestly advice.
As Christ said, My disciples will fast, and, When ye fast…, it is not possible to be a Christian without fasting in some way, shape or form. This may be as little as not eating beef on Fridays or as much as not eating or drinking at all for over a month.
Either way, one ought to fast under the guidance of one’s spiritual father lest pride should find a place in one’s soul.
In the Coptic Orthodox Church, it is standard for all to fast from all animal products on all Wednesdays and Fridays except between Resurrection Sunday and Pentecost and whenever a major feast falls on one of those days. Many people also refrain from eating at all until a certain hour on fast days.
The Church also has several other fasting periods including Lent, Advent, the Apostles’ Fast, St Mary’s Fast and others. During some of these fasts, ‘fish’ (or rather seafood in general) is permitted. (Still trying to work out whether or not frog counts as seafood
Lives in the water doesn’t it?)That said, while travelling, sick or with child (as a waiting mother) one is generally exempt from fasting as the ancient tradition holds. If one’s sickness is permanent (e.g. diabetes) then one should seek priestly advice.
the mind boggles
My parents never really taught me about fasting and abstinence, so the only days that I would fast each year were Ash Wednesday and sometimes Good Friday. However, I have been reading parts of the Bible that talk about sin being driven out through prayer and fasting, so I think I need to fast more so I can grow more deeply in love of God. 