The Purpose of Fasting
We fast for several reasons:
- to remind ourselves of our complete dependence on God as we
experience the physical and spiritual weakness that come with
fasting;
- to discipline our bodies and reduce our attachment to the
things of the flesh;
- to facilitate prayer, as a surfeit of food deadens the
perceptions of the spirit;
- to help us to repent and overcome uncontrolled passions.
The foods from which we fast are primarily those which have the
most potential for making us feel overfull and forgetful of spiritual
things.
It is unwise for a person to attempt to observe the Orthodox fasts
in isolation. Within a parish, adjustments are generally made to adapt
the fasts to local circumstances; in addition, certain persons may
need to modify their fast for medical reasons. Also, fasting without
direction can lead to spiritual pride. |