Fasting

Adapted from Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life by Anthony M. Coniaris (Light and Life Publishing Company).

On the morning before going to the liturgy to receive Communion we do not eat or drink anything if our health allows. Just as one would not spoil his appetite by eating before a special meal, so we sharpen our spiritual appetite for Christ through such fasting.

The general rule for fasting is that the more often one receives Holy Communion, the less one may fast. There can be some abstinence from meat the week before, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is good to consult with one's priest as to the extent of one's fasting since it depends on the frequency of receiving the Sacrament.

One thing we must remember is that there is no necessary connection between fasting and Communion. We must never allow an overemphasis on fasting to become a wall separating us from Christ Who wishes to come to us in every liturgy. Christianity is a relationship with a Person. We must never allow a self-righteous emphasis on so-called "rules of fasting" to destroy this all-important relationhip.

The Church Fathers keep emphasising that true fasting is to abstain from sin and evil. They also suggest the more positive "fasting of love", i.e., to deny oneself of food in order to share that food with the hungry.