A Fasting Refresher

Christ is Risen!

Today the Greek Orthodox Church returns to what I would call a ‘normal fasting’ schedule. From now until Holy Pentecost we will return to fasting every Wednesday and Friday. So, I thought it would be a good day to have a refresher about fasting.

Refresher One: One thing is clear. Fasting is not an optional practice of Christians. It may have its fluctuations, but it is not optional. Jesus taught to fast, and the Holy Apostles established the standard of fasting on Wednesday and Friday. The Jews fasted too, but they fasted on Monday and Thursday.

Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the [a]hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face. Matthew 6.16-17

But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites; for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday). Didache Chapter 8

Refresher Two: Each person fasts according to ability. We are all working together toward a standard. In the ancient world fasting was not eating. It was what we might call medical fast today. Today, fasting is abstaining from certain foods with only a few days on the calendar where total fasting is the objective. Practically speaking, that means we cannot think of the current prolonged periods of fasting with the same vigor as the ancient world. While we all fast, how we each fast may differ, and that’s not horrible.

Refresher Three: The prolonged periods of fasting as we have received the tradition today, have developed over the centuries for spiritual edification and growth. The most ancient Holy Week Fast consisted of not eating between the crucifixion and resurrection. Keep in mind, since fasting was not eating, a three-day fast was ‘doable’ for even the most casual believer.

The very extended Great Fast from Meatfare Sunday until Pascha developed as abstinence from certain foods as preparation for Holy Baptism by new members of the Church. As it developed over time, it became popular for those already in the Church to fast also as a ‘rededication’ to Christ.

Refresher Four: Over the centuries many fasting customs have developed out of piety. This does not make them law, but it also does not necessarily make them bad. For example, at the Great Council in Crete in 2016, the Church reaffirmed certain fasting ‘standards’ while ‘not prohibiting’ other fasting customs for those who wish to fast more.

I wanted to refresh our hearts today about fasting, because you WILL FIND differences in fasting practices. It doesn’t make one Patriarch a heretic and the other holy. Orthodox Christianity is an experiential faith with history. Fasting has developed over the centuries differently for different regions and that is ok.

What is not ok, is not fasting. So, whether you are Greek Orthodox today or Antiochian Orthodox, when you get back to fasting, remember it isn’t about the law, it is about the spiritual growth.