Answers To Challenging Fasting Questions - Elder Epiphanios of Athens

[@davidkehrer7342]

It seems many are unaware, the spirit of the fast is to deny and crucify the flesh, pray and give the resources one would have normally consumed to those in need. What that looks like must differ for each person, hence the “ask your spiritual father” comments. Pray thanking God you can choose to eat less, Eat less, pray for God’s help in the fast, donate the money saved from eating less, pray God will multiply what you give. When hunger pangs strike pray and thank God for the opportunity to help others who may only get one meal every other day or even less often. Put Christ and neighbor first, Blessed lent to all.

[@BodilessVoice]

Yes! For the early church, fasting always went hand in hand with almsgiving. Our selfishness has obscured this connection almost entirely, in modern times.

[@AbrahamFramirez-hr5zu]

Amen thanks you brothers ☦️🇬🇷

[@OrthodoxReview]

Solid

[@WORKOUTSOLUTIONS]

❤🕊️🙏☦️ THANK YOU ☦️🙏⛪️💪

[@Radtradbyzcath]

Great video!

[@DanielStivenPradera]

Amen, really helpfull

[@Muself2]

Perfect. Thank you for reference it’s way better than imposing one’s opinions.

[@nahomefiseha2416]

Fast from food fast from seeing evil fast from doing evil fast from walking to evil fast from talking evil fast from listening evil

[@KashMoss-j6u]

Pray for me

[@louishurr393]

The problem I have today is the consumption of garbage processed chemical-filled food that is “fast appropriate” along with an abundance of diabetes-causing carbohydrates and sugars in the name of “keeping the fast” while nutritious foods are prohibited. It’s not my intention to change the rules of the church, but we aren’t living in the “old world” where foods were much more simple and economically accessible. Today, if you normally rid your diet of poisonous processed foods and sugars (and have an intolerance for beans) you’re basically left with only vegetables which is almost unsustainable for anyone who uses any level of physical activity on a daily basis. And I know the answer is “talk to your spiritual father” but not everyone has a spiritual father who has the time of patience to answer these nuanced questions. And many parish priests just say things like “just do the best you can” or “don’t beat yourself up”. But that’s a whole other topic.

[@spikestoyou]

1000% agree. My spiritual father gave me a little wiggle room with the fast but I found it was not enough. I cannot keep the fast. People rely on me to be strong and healthy and of sound mind and I am unwilling to damage my body in order to keep to fasting rules that don’t make any sense in modern times. Say what you will. I am no less Orthodox in my view of things.

[@spikestoyou]

So refreshing to see someone who understands. My priest linked me to a guy named father moses who powerlifts while keeping the fast but his suggestion is rice and beans and peanut butter jelly sandwiches bookended by vegan protein powder drinks all day. No thanks.

[@louishurr393]

I was extremely unhealthy up to last year. I gave up ALL sugar and carbs and processed foods. I also started intermittent fasting and only eating once or twice per day. Over the last year I have lost 50 lbs and am objectively much healthier. However fasting periods have become very difficult, but I get through them as best as I can. But no breads, sugars, starches, or processed food, has made me things tough. I can’t go back to that stuff. My body falls apart. I want to be around for my family.

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

Nuts, seeds, shellfish, lentils, peas.

[@greenacresorganics7922]

It’s actually horrible and detestable, but I think it as a large part to do with ignorance. The current fasting rules of the Russians etc are pretty modern, around the 12th century. The Russian rule has about 150 days a year with no animal foods, whereas the Greek one has none. The Greeks also have fish every day during the nativity fast after the first week. This type of vegan fasting actually goes against Orthodox anthropology and is a contradiction of many of the writings of the church fathers.

[@TranslatedAssumption]

0:38 I take issue with the notion that we should limit ourselves in the consumption of nutrient rich foods. Our options are already limited to begin with and most of the foods that are commonly available that conform to abstinence are of suspect quality and origin. My issue is that I would rather observe the strict fast and not eat anything at all, simply drinking water instead of eating anything. But I have a job that actually requires me to eat to sustain my efforts but I have a lot of digestive issues with most of the foods permitted during a fasting season. I literally get sick if I over-consume carbs and sugar, I find myself trying to find keto vegan foods that actually work for me and so far it's just avocados and avocados and more avocados. Yes I have consulted my spiritual father and it looks like I'm just stuck.

[@FoundSheep-AN]

I am unable to eat too many carbs and refined pasta rice etc. I think it’s more of a modern issue, due to the food that is too processed and especially flour, I don’t know what is different from the flour we had only 10 years ago

[@ICXC4033]

I agree with this, it's true that in the modern world much of our food is already low quality or even poisoned with things that kill you (just slowly.) I know an Orthodox Christian that would need to go to the hospital if they didn't at least have raw milk on the weekends during the period of the great fasts, but they follow the rest of the fast with oil during the week. Most priests also allow olive oil during the fasts, and I think it's illogical to allow seed oils, which are poison, but not olive oil on the fast. It's important to bear in mind that when the saints say things they know that each individual has their own circumstances. If you actually do have a spiritual father who is able to guide you with the Holy Spirit, then obedience to him will bless you eventually.

[@EK-he6ci]

There are a variety of bean soups very high in protein and fiber such as white bean, pea and lentil. Pea protein is also very good for you and it also comes in protein powder form. I hope that helps!

[@j.b.kingsbury7221]

Ask your spiritual father. This is the internet. The internet is not a resource for spiritual advice.

[@TranslatedAssumption]

​@@j.b.kingsbury7221did you read my entire post? Apparently not, the other people apparently did and commented appropriately in a helpful way that is appreciated.

[@spikestoyou]

I’m sorry but this is ultimately the issue that is going to turn me off from Orthodoxy. I have agreed with my priest’s decision to delay my baptism because honestly I don’t care to be baptized if the church’s dogmatic adherence to this issue continues to go unaddressed. This sort of fasting makes zero sense in the modern world and I wholeheartedly disagree with purposely damaging my body in order to seek greater spiritual heights. The church would not tell the average man to cut off a finger or to put one’s family or other such company in jeopardy by becoming so weak or unwell from their diet would they? If they would, they ought to rethink this. I don’t claim to know better than the church on issues of spiritual attunement but I am not depriving my body of nutrients when there are no rules about binging on chocolate or bean and rice burritos at taco bell or beyond meat burgers or vegan protein powder. Absurd

[@TairyGreen89]

Why would this keep you away from Orthodoxy? Is the priest insisting that you do the strict fast right off the bat or something? It is often times something that takes some time to work up to.

[@spikestoyou]

@@TairyGreen89 He gave me wiggle room and it still wasn’t enough for me. I told him what was happening and he insisted the physical consequences were a part of the experience. My priest is very respected. I disagree with him on all of this. I disagree with the entire church on the fast and there are plenty of people who understand my point of view and disagree with the fasting rules.

[@redchill2593]

I honestly had the same issue because I am very physically active, but now I find that I am eating way healthier and have more awarness of what I am consuming when it is a fasting period. The orthodox monks on Mount Athos are known for their long and healthy lives and they perfectly adhere to the fasts set up by the Church (look it up yourself). Now I know diet is not the only thing that makes them live so long (they dont have as much stress and similar) but still diet plays a big role. I know that if you have some illness or something your confessor should resolve you to fast in a much easier way tho

[@TairyGreen89]

​@@spikestoyouDid you know that shellfish is okay to eat during the fast? You can still get protein that way.

[@spikestoyou]

@@TairyGreen89 Yeah, allergic