Bit on Fasting
I was recently inquired as to the origin of the Orthodox practice of fasting three times a week-- Orthodox fast from all animal products (basically a vegan diet with some variations throughout the Christian Year) on Wednesdays and Fridays. Also, on Sunday mornings, before taking the Lord's Supper, Orthodox fast from all food and drink.
I did a little investigation on fasting, and the information I found was very interesting. For instance: the practice of fasting twice a week goes all the way back to the Ante-Nicene church (if not to the time just after Christ's death), and can be read about in the Didache.
8:1 But as for your fasts, let them not be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week, but do ye fast on the fourth and sixth days.The Wednesday/Friday tradition had begun on account of Christ's betrayal by Judas (Wednesday Fast) and on account of Christ being Crucified on a Friday (Friday Fast). Fasting prior to the Eucharist is part of the spiritual discipline aimed at aiding the believer in humility and repentance (preparing oneself spiritually) before partaking in the true Body of Christ, which we know is not a matter to be dealt with lightly. It is a part of the Liturgy on Sunday mornings for the Deacon to make an announcement along the lines of warning: "Holy Communion is open for those who have properly prepared themselves by confession and fasting."
As with so many traditions in the Christian faith, these things go way back. The church had been fasting twice a week since at least the 4th or 5th century, yet as a Protestant I never heard anything about it. If there is something gained from the conglomerate wisdom from age to age, then at the very least the Orthodox church is a storehouse of pious rite.
Obviously I believe the Orthodox faith is much more than stored wisdom, but on what grounds really do we reject such practice as mentioned above?
Posted by at June 14, 2002 08:37 PMUnrelated blurb...
Jer, I like the Bloom quote. I underlined the same passage when I first came across it.
Hey, aren't you going to clue everyone in on why you have the Greek text up yonder???
Just an idea...
Posted by: wayne at June 16, 2002 09:54 PMWayne oh,
Thanks.
I thought that Bloom quote was so powerful: prayer is efficacious...you really are "speaking" with God Almighty-- are you being condemned or are you being shown mercy? Those are the only two options. Tough stuff. Amen?
Oh yeah, about the Greek. Everyone, I'm learning Biblical Greek! Yippeee! .... how was that wayne oh? :-) guess I'm kinda shy on the topic until I have more knowledge under my belt. Once I'm reading and writing in Greek (and speaking, Lord willing), I'll proclaim it from the rooftops.
How about you, Latin boy?
:-)
Posted by: jeremy at June 16, 2002 10:20 PMThank you. My wrath has been appeased.
Posted by: wayne at June 17, 2002 12:55 PMAs I understand it fasting is a spiritual exercise that requires a conscious effort (spiritual) to overcome temporarily the physical desires and needs of the physical body.
All humans are made up of not only the physical body but also an emotional component, an intellectual component, and the very consciousness itself, the sense of "I" by which thoughts, feelings and desires are "observed."
The human organism is like a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage itself can be likened to the physical body which carts us around. The horse(s) is the emotions that power the movement of the carriage. The driver of the carriage with reins to direct the horse is the intellectual part of man. The real man, consciousness (awareness)or sense of "I" sits in the carriage and properly should direct to the driver "where to go."
In most humans without spiritual awareness, the carriage is usually in disrepair, the driver is drunk, the horse bolts in any direction depending on its mood or outside conditions, dragging the carriage along to heavens knows where. The passenger or "I" is usually absent.
This is the common lot of carnal man; there is no internal organization and the person is subject to externally caused conditions that are allowed to cloud the emotions, cause pain and suffering.
In a true spiritual person, the reverse of the above is true. The passenger "I" is inside and attentive, with full intent given to the driver, who is sober and clear-headed. The driver thus effectively can direct the horse (emotion - drive)which thus pulls the carriage in a proper direction. Such a man is "inner" directed, without effect from external (worldly) conditions.
Thus the spiritual exercise of fasting. Since fasting goes against nature or the natural need for bodily nourishment, it absolutely requires the proper organization internally ("I" intends, intellect decides how, emotions supply drive (righteousness), the body refrains from eating. It is therefore a perfect spiritual exercise. And as we know, exercise produces strength.
In basic terms, carnal man eating regular food feeds only the body. A fasting spiritual man is feeding his spirit. In all life it is like this. Either a man is spiritual (inner directed) and uses life to strengthen his/her inner spirit, or is carnal and flows down the stream of life in the path of least resistance weakening the spirit and subject to the trials and buffetings of the world.
Posted by: Weldon Jackson at January 10, 2003 02:14 PM"In most humans without spiritual awareness, the carriage is usually in disrepair, the driver is drunk, the horse bolts in any direction depending on its mood or outside conditions, dragging the carriage along to heavens knows where. The passenger or "I" is usually absent."
Well said. :)
Misfortune shows those who are not really friends.
Posted by: Cook Sioux at January 9, 2004 05:59 PM