Biblical and Patristic Foundations of Fasting

 

Part 4: Fasting and Simplicity

4.1: Biblical and Patristic Foundations of Fasting

Opening Reflection

Fasting is one of the oldest and most profound spiritual disciplines within the Orthodox Church. It is not merely about abstaining from food but is a holistic practice that touches body, mind, and soul. The Orthodox Fathers rooted fasting deeply in Scripture and Tradition as a path to purification, spiritual freedom, and closeness to God.

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1. What Is Fasting in the Orthodox Tradition?

Fasting is:

• A voluntary self-denial to discipline the body and soul.
• A way to subdue the passions (like gluttony, pride, and sloth (መንፈሳዊ ትጋት ማጣት).
• A means of clearing space for prayer and God’s grace.
• An act of spiritual warfare (መንፈሳዊ ተጋድሎ) and repentance.

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2. Biblical Foundations of Fasting

The Bible consistently links fasting with humility, repentance, and preparation for spiritual encounters.

• Moses fasted on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28):
  “And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water.” “በዚያም አርባ ቀንና አርባ ሌሊት ከእግዚአብሔር ጋር ነበረ፤ እንጀራም አልበላም፥ ውኃም አልጠጣም።”
  This fast was linked with receiving God’s commandments.
• Jesus’ fast in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2):
  “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” “ከዚያ ወዲያ ኢየሱስ ከዲያብሎስ ይፈተን ዘንድ መንፈስ ወደ ምድረ በዳ ወሰደው፥ አርባ ቀንና አርባ ሌሊትም ከጦመ በኋላ ተራበ።”
  Jesus’ fast prepared Him for His public ministry and victory over temptation.
• The call to fasting as a sign of repentance:
  “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” “አሁንስ፥ ይላል እግዚአብሔር፥ በፍጹም ልባችሁ፥ በጾምም፥ በልቅሶና በዋይታ ወደ እኔ ተመለሱ።” (Joel 2:12)
• Fasting combined with prayer and almsgiving:
  “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness... to share your bread with the hungry?” “እኔስ የመረጥሁት ጾም ይህ አይደለምን? የበደልን እስራት ትፈቱ ዘንድ … እንጀራህንስ ለተራበ ትቈርስ ዘንድ” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
• Jesus’ teaching on fasting (Matthew 6:16-18):
  “...when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.” “ስትጦሙም፥ እንደ ግብዞች አትጠውልጉ፤ ለሰዎች እንደ ጦመኛ ሊታዩ ፊታቸውን ያጠፋሉና፤ አንተ ግን ስትጦም፥ በስውር ላለው አባትህ እንጂ እንደ ጦመኛ ለሰዎች እንዳትታይ ራስህን ተቀባ ፊትህንም ታጠብ፤ በስውር የሚያይ አባትህም በግልጥ ይከፍልሃል።”

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3. The Purpose of Fasting According to the Fathers

The Orthodox Fathers emphasized fasting as more than just physical abstinence:

• St. John Chrysostom said:

“Fasting is the soul’s victory over the flesh, a cleansing of the spirit, and a strengthening of the will.”

• St. Basil the Great taught that fasting helps make the soul obedient and keeps it humble before God.
• St. Isaac the Syrian said:

“Fasting is a grace from God to mortify the flesh and heal the soul.”

Fasting was understood as a way to regain mastery over the body so the soul can ascend in prayer and purity.

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4. The Holistic Nature of Orthodox Fasting

Fasting in the Orthodox Church is not just about food but also about:

• Simplicity of speech (avoiding gossip (ሐሜት) or idle talk- የስራ ፈቶችን ወሬ )
• Moderation in sleep
• Purity of thoughts and intentions (ዓላማዎች)
• Charity and humility

It is a training for the whole person.

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5. Fasting and Simplicity in the Lives of the Fathers

The Desert Fathers modeled fasting as part of a simple, humble life:

• St. Anthony the Great ate only once a day and sometimes just bread and water.
• St. Mary of Egypt spent many decades in the desert, surviving on roots and herbs, and dedicating herself entirely to prayer and tears of repentance.
• St. Ephraim the Syrian urged fasting with a pure heart:

“Fasting without mercy (ይቅርታ፣ምሕረት) is like a body without a soul.”

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6. Fasting as Preparation for Theosis

 Fasting helps detach the believer from worldly pleasures and distractions, allowing a deeper union with God. It clears the path for the Holy Spirit to work transformative grace.

• St. Gregory Palamas explained that fasting disposes the body and mind for the experience of divine light and grace.
• The Church’s liturgical calendar reveals that fasting seasons—such as the Great Lent, the Fast of the Prophets, the Fast of the Apostles, the Fast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Fast of Nineveh, the Wednesday and Friday fasts, and the Fast of Gehad—are sacred times for spiritual renewal and drawing closer to God..

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7. Practical Lessons for Today

• Fasting is accessible to all, not only for monks and priests.
• It should always be done with prayer and humility, not legalism.
• The goal is not self-punishment but freedom from attachments.
• Start small and grow: Even minor abstinence can cultivate spiritual sensitivity.

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Biblical and Patristic Summary Table

Scripture	Teaching on Fasting	Patristic Insight
Matthew 4:1-2	Fasting prepares for spiritual battle	St. Anthony: Fasting strengthens the spirit
Isaiah 58:6-7	True fasting involves justice and mercy	St. John Chrysostom: Fasting without love is worthless
Joel 2:12	Fasting calls us to repentance	St. Basil: Fasting teaches humility
Matthew 6:16-18	Fasting should be discreet and sincere	St. Isaac: Fasting is a grace for healing

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In conclusion, fasting was a key discipline through which the Orthodox Fathers succeeded in their ascetical life, attaining purity, humility, and deep communion with God. It was never limited to abstaining from food alone but encompassed simplicity, silence, and spiritual vigilance. For every true Orthodox Christian, observing the fasts prescribed by the Church—such as the Great Lent, the Fast of the Prophets, the Apostles’ Fast, the Fast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Fast of Nineveh, the Fast of Gehad, and the weekly Wednesday and Friday fasts—is not optional but essential. A faithful Orthodox Christian firmly upholds that all Church-declared fasts must be observed. He or she stands with fasting—not with indulgence—as a mark of true devotion. These fasting seasons are sacred times of repentance, prayer, and renewal, leading us along the path of the saints toward holiness and Theosis.

Reflection Questions:

• How do I currently understand fasting?
• In what ways can I deepen my fasting to include simplicity and humility?
• What spiritual fruits have I noticed or hope to cultivate through fasting?