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The Lenten Fast
The word “fast” means not eating all or certain foods. As Orthodox
Faithful, we can fast completely at certain times of great importance,
and especially each time before receiving Holy Communion. Usually,
fasting means limiting the number of meals and/or the type of food
eaten. The purpose of fasting is to remind us of the Scriptural
teaching, “Man does not live by bread alone.” The needs of the body are
nothing compared to the needs of the soul. Above all else, we need God,
Who provides everything for both the body and the soul. Fasting teaches
us to depend on God more fully.
The first sin of our parents, Adam and Eve, was eating from the
forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1-19). We fast from food, or a food item, as a
reminder that we are to fast from sinning and doing evil.
"…for the honor of fasting consists not in abstinence from food, but
in withdrawing from sinful practices; since he who limits his fasting
only to an abstinence from meats, is one who especially disparages it.
Dost thou fast? Give me proof of it by works! Let not the mouth only
fast but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all
the members of our bodies. Let the mouth too fast from disgraceful
speeches and railing. For what doth it profit if we abstain from birds
and fishes; and yet bite and devour our brethren?" (St. John Chrysostom,
4th century)
There are several benefits of fasting. Fasting helps us pray more
easily. Our spirit is lighter when we are not weighed down by too much
food or food that is too rich. Through fasting, we also learn to feel
compassion for the poor and hungry and to save our own resources so that
we can help those in need. Fasting is more than not eating food. Saint
John Chrysostom teaches that it is more important to fast from sin. For
example, besides controlling what goes into our mouths, we must control
what comes out of our mouths as well. Are our words pleasing to God, or
do we curse God or our brother? The other members of the body also need
to fast: our eyes from seeing evil, our ears from hearing evil, our
limbs from participating in anything that is not of God. Most important
of all, we need to control our thoughts, for thoughts are the source of
our actions, whether good or evil.
Fasting is not an end in itself. Our goal is an inner change of heart.
The Lenten Fast is called “ascetic.” This refers to actions of
self-denial and spiritual training which are central to fasting. Fasting
is a spiritual exercise. It is not imposed or forced upon us. In the
same way that true repentance cannot be forced upon anyone, each of us
makes the choice to turn away from our sinful ways and go toward our
loving, for giving Father in Heaven.
The Pre-Lenten Weeks
Before Great Lent begins, four Sunday lessons prepare us for the
Fast. Humility is the theme of the first Sunday, called the Sunday of
the Publican and the Pharisee. The Lord's parable in Luke 18:10-14
teaches that fasting with pride is rejected by God. For this reason,
there is no fasting the week following this Sunday. This includes no
fasting on Wednesday and Friday that week. (Wednesdays and Fridays are
usually fast days throughout the year—Wednesday's Fast recalls the
betrayal of Christ by Judas; Friday's Fast commemorates the Lord's
Crucifixion.)
Repentance is the theme of the second Pre-Lenten Sunday, called the
Sunday of the Prodigal Son. Before we can return to God, we need to
recognize that we are far from God because of sin. Like the Prodigal Son
(Luke 15:11-32), we are in a self-imposed exile. Will we come to our
senses as did the Prodigal Son and return to our Father?
The next Sunday is called both Meatfare Sunday and the Sunday of the
Last Judgment. The second name refers to the Gospel lesson (Matthew
25:31-4 6) read on this day. The Lord tells us we will be judged at the
end according to the love we have shown for our brother. “I was
hungry..thirsty..naked...a stranger...in prison...sick... Whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine you did for Me.”
Almsgiving goes hand in hand with fasting. This Sunday is called
Meatfare because it is the last day meat, fish or poultry is eaten
before Easter, for those keeping the Lenten Fast.
The last Pre-Lenten Sunday is called both Cheesefare Sunday and the
Sunday of Forgiveness. This is the last day dairy products are eaten
before the Fast. The Gospel lesson (Matthew 6:14-21) read on this day
tells us that our fast must not be hypocritical or “for show.” Our work
and our appearance are to continue as usual and our extra efforts are to
be known only by God. The Gospel reading also reminds us that God the
Father will forgive us in the same manner as we forgive our brother.
With this promise of forgiveness, Great Lent begins on the next day,
which is called Clean Monday. Clean Monday is a total fast day, except
for a little water. No other beverages or food are taken.
General Rules of the Lenten Fast
The Lenten Fast rules that we observe today were established within
the monasteries of the Orthodox Church during the sixth through eleventh
centuries. These rules are intended for all Orthodox Christians, not
just monks and nuns. The first week of Lent is especially strict. On
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, a total fast is kept. In practice, very
few people are able to do this. Some find it necessary to eat a little
each day after sunset. Many Faithful do fast completely on Monday and
then eat only uncooked food (bread, fruit, and nuts) on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday, the fast is kept until after the Presanctified Liturgy.
From the second through the sixth weeks of Lent, the general rules for
fasting are practiced. Meat, animal products (cheese, milk, butter,
eggs, lard), fish (meaning fish with backbones), olive oil and wine (all
alcoholic drinks) are not consumed during the weekdays of Great Lent.
Octopus and shellfish are allowed, as is vegetable oil. On weekends,
olive oil and wine are permitted. According to what was done in the
monasteries, one meal a day is eaten on weekdays and two meals on
weekends of Great Lent. No restriction is placed on the amount of food
during the meal, though moderation is always encouraged in all areas of
one's life at all times. Fish, oil and wine are allowed on the Feast of
the Annunciation (March 25) and on Palm Sunday (one week before Easter).
On other feast days, such as the First and Second Finding of the Head of
Saint John the Baptist (February 24), the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
(March 9), the Forefeast of the Annunciation (March 24) and the Synaxis
of the Archangel Gabriel (March 26), wine and oil are permitted.
Holy Week
The week before Easter, Holy Week, is a special time of fasting
separate from Great Lent. Like the first week, a strict fast is kept.
Some Orthodox Christians try to keep a total fast on Holy Monday, Holy
Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. Most eat a simple Lenten meal at the end of
each day before going to the evening Church services. On Holy Thursday,
wine is allowed in remembrance of the Last Supper. Holy Friday is kept
as a strict fast day, as is Holy Saturday. Holy Saturday is the only
Saturday in the entire year when oil is not permitted. In short, these
are the Lenten rules for fasting.
Traditionally, the Church Fathers recommend that someone new to fasting
begin by resolving to faithfully do as much as he or she is able during
the Lenten period. Each year as one matures as a Christian, a fuller
participation can be undertaken. However, it is not recommended that a
person try to create their own rules for fasting, since this would not
be obedient or wise. The Faithful are encouraged to consult with their
priest or bishop regarding the Fast when possible. Personal factors such
as one's health and living situation need to be considered as well. For
example, an isolated Orthodox Christian required to eat meals at their
place of employment, school or in prison may not be able to avoid
certain foods. The Church understands this and extends leniency.
It is important to keep in mind that fasting is not a law for us —
rather, a voluntary way of remembering to not sin and do evil, and to
help keep our focus on prayer, repentance and doing acts of kindness,
for we “are not under the law but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
Easter, Bright Week, and the Paschal Season
The Lenten Fast is broken following the midnight Easter service.
With the proclamation, “Christ is risen!” the time of feasting begins.
The week after Easter is called Bright Week and there is no fasting. For
the next 40 days, the Church celebrates the Paschal (Easter) season. Joy
and thanksgiving are the fulfillment of our Lenten journey.
A Prayer for Lent
The Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian is traditionally said many
times throughout each day during Great Lent, in addition to our daily
prayers. O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth,
despair, lust of power, and idle talk. (+) But give rather the spirit of
chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant. (+) Yes, O Lord
and King, grant me to see my own sin and not to judge my brother, for
You are blessed from all ages to all ages. Amen. (+) (The “(‘+)“
indicates that those praying make a deep bow or prostration at this
point.)
Adapted from an
article from the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North
America, copyright 2004.
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