My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
Guidelines of how to fast:
From 15th of November to 24th of December the
consumption of fish is permitted except on
Wednesday and Friday until the 17th of December.
From the 18th until the 23rd of December the
consumption of olive oil is permitted.
Unlike Great Lent, this is joyous fast in anticipation of the Holy Nativity of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. This is the reason it is less austere than other fasting periods. While not as strict as Great Lent, it is advised that all Orthodox Christians take this fasting period seriously and to treat it in such a way as to benefit spiritually. As always the spirit of fasting should be observed according to the teachings of our Holy Church and to include abstaining from eating certain foods to also abstain from sin and sinful thoughts and acts.
All fasting periods emphasize the importance of prayer, worship, repentance, reconciliation with our enemies, forgiveness, works of charity, and strengthening our relationship and communion with our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Understanding of course, that He knows our innermost personal thoughts, lives and actions; when we undertake this spiritual ascesis, we must be sincere, and do everything with profound faith, right spirit, and noble intent.
Adhering to our Orthodox spiritual traditions have a definite purpose. Our intent is to prepare ourselves spiritually to welcome into our hearts our Divine Messiah, the Son of God and our Savior. The fasting periods are placed strategically by the Church so that the faithful will be in constant spiritual ascent and to always be in communion with God. The hope is that all of our efforts will be guided by our God the Holy Spirit so that results will be profitable and our commitment to Him will increase and our life in Christ will become strong and meaningful.
In order for our fasting to have any spiritual substance it must include genuine repentance otherwise the act of fasting becomes hypocritical and offensive to God. The Orthodox Christian knows that he/she sins constantly in thought, word, and deed and needs cleansing and remission of sins.
One needs to be honest and admit to himself/herself that he/she is full of impurities, passions, and transgressions. Our Holy Church is a place of healing and spiritual recovery and restoration. The medicine recommended and offered is the Mystery (Sacrament) of Repentance/Confession. Through this Mystery after the faithful offer repentance of their sins, the remission of sin is bestowed by the mercy of God through the intermediary of a priest of the Church, in accordance with the Savior’s promise, Who said to His Disciples, "Peace be unto you…And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them: Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sin ye retain , they are retained (John 20:21-23).
Following blindly and without understanding or conviction to simply act upon a religious custom does not provide any spiritual benefit at all. We deceive ourselves and attempt to ease our conscience. Not eating meats, eggs, dairy products, oil, and other foodstuffs will not guarantee our salvation. It is not what goes into one’s mouth that will condemn a person, but what comes out of his mouth. Saint Paul says, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29). What we say and how we live affects our relationship not only with God but also with each other–for in Christ we are "members of one another" (Ephesians 4:25).
What good does fasting from foods provide for us, when our lives are replete with sinful acts. The moral standard for the NEW HUMANITY is the life appropriate to a child of God. Again Saint Paul exhorts the Christians, "Therefore be IMITATORS OF GOD as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness of covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving thanks. For this you know, that no fornicators, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance int eh Kingdom of Christ and God" (Ephesians 5:1-5). Everything is spelled out for all of us: "walk in love," "walk in light," "walk in wisdom." Walk implies a slow steady pace; a daily effort; a marathon, not a sprint. A Christ-centered life is not achieved instantly but it takes a life-time of struggle and sacrifice.
Our God Jesus Christ Himself teaches us how to fast: "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father Who is in the secret place; and your Father Who is in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:17-18). Jesus Christ, our Savior, rejects hypocrisy. Because who fasts, the compassion of God outshines physical discomfort: joy overshadows sorrow. Thus, during easons of fasting, the hymns of the Orthodox Church call the faithful to wash and anoint their faces. Physical fasting works together with spiritual fasting, or self-denial: it is a liberation of the spirit from its voluntary enslavement to sinful passions. Fasting is for the glory of God, NOT TO IMPRESS PEOPLE AROUND US.
No one should judge another on whether he/she is fasting or not. The holy Apostle Paul says, "For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is eak eats only vegetables. Let NOT him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand…He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks" (Romans 14:2-6). A mature conscience in Christ knows NO FOOD IS "UNCLEAN OF ITSELF." But an immature conscience must be free to follow stricter rules if it sees fit. "Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned, Behold the Judge is standing at the door" (James 5:9).
Make this holy season free from all infirmities, hatred, impurities, greed, passions, pride, and evil thinking and disobedience; but instead to be filled with love, kindness, compassion, obedience to God’s commandments, reconciliation with one’s enemies, repentance and righteousness.
May this holy season grant all of you God’s blessings and grace!
___________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 