HOW TO FAST versus HOW NOT TO FAST. The Desert Fathers on fasting, obedience and humility.

[@mullmonastery]

I just wanted to say that I do read every single one of these comments. I struggle to reply to them, but I read each one (I am the one who approves them all) and they are very helpful to me. They show me what your spiritual needs are - the reality of it, not what I imagine that reality to be. This in turn helps me focus on those needs, so these videos may be more helpful to us. This is why I want to thank you for all your comments and your support. May God bless us all, dear ones.

[@TinaHyde]

Beloved Fr. Seraphim, I am so unworthy of your love and your prayers and your counsel. By God’s grace and love for this filthy, arrogant sinner, you were brought into my life (and subsequently my sister’s and husband’s and son’s) during this pandemic and have now become a part of my life/family. When I hear your voice, and the most loving and earnest way you say “Christ”...when I say with you “Amen, amen, amen” and I cross myself, there is so much love in my heart for you it feels like it may burst. Please don’t ever believe for one second that these videos are ever not worth the time they take to conceive of and produce. (I am doing my best to share with you the magnitude of my gratitude for you without risking damage to you by pride) Every one of your messages hits me with such force that I realize for nearly 52 years, I have simply been ‘playing Orthodox’. I have been nothing more than a clanging bell. I am a loud, self-righteous, “look at me! look at how pious I am!” sinner, covered in a thin, cheap veneer of “Orthodoxy”. Pride, pride, pride. And I am STILL looking for an easy way to extract it from me instead of doing the real work and using the tools. “I just wish I could have priest perform an exorcism to get rid of it once and for all!” I say to my husband (who is lightyears more humble than I am). I ask God to take from me the spirit of sloth, lust of power, faintheartedness, idle talk ... instead of working to make my heart uninhabitable for them. I want everything to be easy. Or I want to focus on the salvation of others instead of my own. Your teachings have greatly helped reveal these things to me. There is a question in here somewhere for you, Father. ♥️ Or maybe just a thank you. Or maybe I just typed all this so I could use it as an excuse to skip going to confession? I’m kind of a mess, Father (but less of the mess I was before I found you). 🙏

[@jancykattakayam6690]

God bless You Father for everything you do.Your sermons are blessings for us.Kindly remember us in your prayers.

[@alysonwitt9662]

Thank you for your sacrificial prayers and work to teach us. You and the monastery are in my prayers

[@mariemiller8740]

Thank you Fr I was in Scotland last year. Can you please keep my children and grandchildren in your prayers God bless

[@DanSuolo]

Father thank you for a new insight and perspective on fasting! Because of this talk I see the point of fasting now. I always thought fasting had to deal with the absence of food. Never thought about fasting from my egotism and pride. I have confessed a couple of times about my egotism and pride, and every time I do I get put to the test and I field that test. It seems that I encounter angry people that get mad and yell at me for no reason.... Father it just happens that way. And of course my ego always gets the best of me and I have to get mad and yell back and Stand My Ground. I know it's a demonic spirit that comes out of nowhere and attacks me that way, but it attacks me when I'm off guard and I fall into that trap. Father what should I do to be better prepared?

[@TheChampFighter]

Thank you for this excellent video on fasting, Father. ❤👌🫂

Thanks father! May God bless us all

[@annaperes4565]

It's interesting how easily pride takes over our religious practice and ideas. It can completely hijack our spiritual life. Thank you father for another useful video.

[@jlmoreno9549]

Thank you, Father!

[@Birdsparty]

Thank you! Can you please tells us the rules of fasting? Thanks so much!

[@Retiredinruraljapanvlog]

This was so helpful to me as a new Orthodox! I go to a mission church in rural Japan where do not receive much instruction. You have to just kind of figure it out. I have prayed for guidance and direction as to where to seek spiritual help. Your channel Fr. Seraphim is a place I often go to learn. Thank you!

[@stevobear4647]

OUCH!!! Your straight forward words lays bare ones self delusion. My wife and I came to Orthodoxy in our twenties from a protestant back ground that never had any tradition or understanding of fasting, it is always a struggle to follow the fasts for my family every fast. Please pray for us father.

[@dreamsideout7831]

Obedience and Humility in fasting. I must be aware of pride. Fasting is a tool. Thank you for this reminder.

[@JohnchapterVersesand]

Wonderful, all my life I have been fasting 100% wrongly. Everything Father told in this video how not to fast, I did my entire life wrongly. Great. Now I'm going to start fasting as Father mentioned in this video. Thank you Father. Glory be to God. Ave Maria.

[@kimberleyjabbour4293]

This was SO helpful! Thank you very, very much. I am a convert (20yrs, still feel like a babe)and struggle each season of fasting. I don’t seem to fast on Wed. & Friday. But am ok with the Lent & Nativity fasts. Of course I struggle & am somewhat obedient. I guess it is a lifetime of learning. My biggest problem is all the years I’ve been trying to fast, it doesn’t seem to be making me better. Please pray for me. I will put you on my pray list as well! 🙏☦️ God bless!

[@ksteed1167]

This video is such a timely blessing. Protestant here[praying about conversion], been fasting for years but feel very convicted by this message. Going to search the internet for Orthodox rules now. Thank you

[@volusian95]

What a beautiful chapel

[@davey7577]

This was very useful to me because I fasted on my own rules and at the end of the day, I felt a sense of “success”… ultimately pride.

[@tobiasburpees]

God Bless you Father. Please continue to make videos. I have found Christian Orthodoxy because of you.

[@danielgaley9676]

Please address about fasting if one has chronic health issues. I need to gain weight. Thank you Father for your teachings.

[@nancythornton4425]

Thank You! I absolutely needed this! You saved me from a spiritual mess!

[@kupkake6516]

I feel a bit confused about having humility. I want to be obedient to God’s will. I want to be the person he wants me to be. I want Him to look upon me and say “well done my good and faithful servant “. I openly admit that I feel good when I have done something that I think pleases God. It’s like when a child excitedly says “mommy come look I’ve cleaned my room”. We desire to please the ones we love and doing so feels good in that moment. Why shouldn’t we feel good about obeying and pleading God? Thank you for this and all your videos. Your guidance has indeed helped me to grow spiritually. God bless you. I keep you in my prayers.

[@christinespielvogel4005]

Thank you. I was headed down wrong path with fasting, this was sooooo helpful. Obedience and humility. I am going to pray and prepare for thr advent fast. Thank you.

[@luciaperezguerra105]

Dear Father, I am a Roman Catholic but I love the way you explain and guide us into our spiritual life. You help me take a new look to some situations I experience. I'm trying to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays as Dear Mother Mary suggested but I've been struggling with my weakness adapting it to my self advice. When I saw your video my first thought was: great he is going to explain what to eat and how often and then boom you spoke about pride which is the demon attached to my skin as a spot that I can't think of as a mortal cancer cause it's been there for ever and it doesn't bother. Now I have a new look into fasting. It should be common sense but I'm still in a kindergarden level. Thank you so much!! God bless!!

[@regi1602]

That was what I need to hear! I always had difficulties in fasting! you gave me a purpose for that! Please continuing teaching us about fasting and how to mortify our will daily, so God's will, will excel in us!

[@kristakimbrell7382]

Thank you!! Just what I needed!!

[@judigeppi]

Thank you, needed to hear this right this time. Amen and Lord have mercy! Wish l could hear this preached and taught to us in our churches. OCA. FROM MARYLAND, USA

[@thanasistama3943]

Great guidance on fasting. Thank you. As Our Lord stated in St. Matthew's Gospel in Chapter 5: 16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

[@annie3848]

I have to confess to God and to my fellow followers of fasting that I have been guilty of adding my own rules to fasting. Yesterday I had the word obedience out into my heart and today I found this. This is a merciful God. I am come now to do your will. Amen

[@meronassefa4080]

God bless you and the monastery! You help so many people. Amen☦️🙏🏽❤️

[@celesteyurek577]

Beautiful! Father, I love your teaching! Thank you, pray for my spiritual growth.

[@Remark997]

Thank you, this video helped me today

[@stevennorton7051]

I am a Protestant/evangelical in the U.S. but I love you and your monastery very much. You are a wise teacher. I'll continue to pray for you. May you and your brethren continue to ve blessed by the Lord.

[@melissadifini2190]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@earthisheart6797]

Amen Father. Thank you for being a comforting conduit of God/Good.

[@orig999]

I have been asking for guidance God sent me to your site Thank you for your open and honest comment and teaching

[@WateringCan]

Thank you always for your words of wisdom Father Seraphim. I have felt the call to fast, but I also know it is the kind of behaviour I take pride in...Please pray for my humility. Peace to you!

[@josephescarsiga6247]

This is what all of us need to hear and apply every moment of our lives..hope and repentance. COME LORD JESUS!!

[@ms.cordero2784]

God bless you and your Monastery. I needed to hear this teaching, have been struggling with fasting and discipline. Could you please teach me how to fast the way that is pleasing to our Lord? We don’t hear the teachings on the subject in my parish church. It is so needed in these times. Thank you for your guidance.

[@evans3922]

If you are Orthodox then you should have a spiritual father who can guide you safely on fasting according to your age, health status and spiritual needs and to whom you must obey. In Orthodoxy we have the personalized spiritual guidance.. Not all things are for all... !

[@TinaHyde]

@Sisoes I have the same trouble at my church. I confess to my parish priest, but I could easily spend hours with him, asking questions and being counseled. But when it comes to fasting, i think maybe it would only take 15 - 20 minutes of discussion to determine what fasting rules to recommend to you.

[@ms.cordero2784]

I don’t have a Spiritual Father; priests in my parish barely talk about confession of sins and the perils of offending God; much less mention rituals of penance by which to seek obedience and please the Lord. Their homilies are centered on Social Justice and loving and accepting everything and everyone. I sometimes feel like i am living in an alternate universe. I keep persevering because I love the Lord and the Spirit moves me to seek him. Our liturgy of the word is 15 minutes long, communion is standing and in the hand. I don’t attend Mass any longer there, because I refuse to receive the Body of Christ under that condition. Went to an SSPX church around a month ago for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and visited the Byzantine Catholic Church in Orlando last week. I will like to practice true fasting as penance sacrifice for the Church; I barely recognize it anymore and worry about my salvation and that of mine.

[@clarencehammond2239]

Amen. Amen. Amen.

[@tk1212000p]

Thank you for your messages. They are spiritually in line with the Holy Spirit’s messages I’m receiving. God bless.

[@shibijohn3641]

Thank you very much Father for teaching us about fasting, i am orthodox and know the rules but still always had little confusion about fasting. Prayers and blessing to everyone there. God bless you all.

[@tammythompson820]

What are the rules? I didn't know there were rules..... New Catholic

[@markwalkerrocker4Jesus]

just about to start a every other day fast, thank you for your wise guidance.

[@davidm5819]

I have been fasting every Wednesday and Friday since Lent. No food, just coffee and water. I offer my fasting, sufferings usually to the Blessed Mother and let her decide how to best use for others. Thank you Father!

[@tm13noy]

Please pray for us Michaela Ioan Maria Alexia Lavrentie deacon.

[@MariaNunes-in3ty]

Thank you for your teachings, Father Seraphim! Being an orthodox Christian is sort of living "at the razor's edge"...🙁 Pray for me, father! 🌷🌷🌷

[@tedpiliouras7341]

Thank you Father.

[@Klotrik]

Thank you Father Seraphim for your teaching. Can I ask you to please explain to a non orthodox like me the practical rules of the church concerning the fasting before christmas? It would be greatly appreceated🙏

[@josiemauer4665]

www.goarch.org/chapel/calendar different jurisdictions have slightly different guidelines for Nativity Fast but here's the Greek Orthodox fasting calendar for December. If you click on the symbol (the fish, the cross, or the bunch of grapes) at the left of each square it will tell you what is and isn't allowed on that day. Shellfish are always allowed--they aren't considered meat because they don't have red blood.

[@constancedemmas423]

Wonderful ! I’ve shared with my close friend

[@aslovespeace]

My faith is orthodox christian but I live in the country which don't have orthodox Church, in Bali, Indonesia. Thank God, I can listen to you online. Please share me the rule of fasting. I was fasting two weeks ago, only for a day.

[@CVRCI]

Thank you so much Father🙏🙏🙏 How do we fast in obedience to our Holy Mother Church? Thank you. God Bless you 🙏🙏🙏

[@patricegray4117]

This message is so timely; thank you Father. I’ve tried fasting off and on for years, usually making it until dinner and then eating. But I recently heard, and really took to heart, Mark 9:28 where Jesus tells the apostles “This kind is able to be expelled by nothing other than prayer and fasting.” I’ve been praying for conversions in my family for years, particularly for my husband and my youngest son. That scripture really hit me hard and I just knew Jesus was calling me to fast for what I was asking Him to do. So I started last week fasting Wednesdays and Fridays on bread and water. I felt tired and weak by Friday and was already rationalizing to myself that this isn’t healthy for me, I should add a smoothie. But as you say, this isn’t about my health; it’s about obeying and sacrifice. Looking forward to hearing more in this. Thank you again for your words of wisdom.

[@audenlasso-chavez617]

Thanks Father, I will work on it!

[@HristosInAfrica]

You are right. We tend to fast and by proud of it. This is not what God wants.

[@OrthodoxReview]

I needed this kick in the pants. Immediately texted my priest, asking about my fasting rule for the season. Waiting to hear back, though, if I know him as well as I think I do, he'll probably just tell me to stick to the generally prescribed fasting rules.

[@DivineMercy_7]

Thank you!🙏

[@leniachristine5775]

I learnt about Orthodoxy from my former boss who was Ethiopia, I am Roman catholic (proud one here). In my search for deeper understanding of God and nearness to Him I am always willing to listen to teachings from a conservative Christian cause I believe that is where the truth about our faith lies which unfortunately has died due to modernity. You are one of the few that I find the truth this truth from. Thank you.

[@anothaydorman6289]

Praise be to the Holy Trinity and for our Blessed Mother Mary for such wisdom that has been bestowed upon you. I am a Catholic and have found your word of wisdom very fruitful. It is a spiritual sustenance that one truly seeks and need today. God Bless You.

[@greatpharoh0303]

Thank you Father Seraphim. Your teaching is so complete because you show what is right with application. This is very touching.

[@Feresoe]

This was hard and difficult, also by far one of the best videos and helpful to hear. I wonder, how is one to fast. What do the church fathers say of fasting in the light of the prophet Isaiah 58?

[@shirleymitchell8398]

God Bless You Father and Your Monastery. Keeping You in my daily Prayers and Rosary. 🙏💖🙏

[@garycornwell2431]

Thank you Father for your teachings I truly wish I could be where you are, I pray that GOD will continue to bless you with His presence always, and may the Grace of Jesus be with you and your Monastery.

[@althingsrpossible]

Beautiful message father. I need this guidance when it comes to fasting. God Bless you and the Monastery

[@end-rays]

I am deeply, deeply greatful for GOD to have thought us through you. This was bueatful. GOD Bless you and may the Virgin Mary be with you.

[@end-rays]

I believe contents of these type (lessons from the Desert Fathers) are extremely helpful. These are hard times and I personaly find it very difficult to discern between good and evil. Specially in spritual practices, and how we could live a life that pleases GOD in today's world where evil is being portrayed so cunningly as good.

[@charlottefurtado]

I am truly blessed to have heard this message. Looking forward Fr Seraphim for guidelines by the church on how to fast. Thankyou.

[@liehhungc3261]

Father, thank you so much for sharing this message. I have to confess that I have been fasting according to my own rule, which is two days a week. Every time for 2 meals. As a Protestant, I was never told how to fast and the true meaning of it. But I knew it’s helpful in my spiritual life. At first it was only one meal a week and gradually I felt it was not enough to keep me strong spiritually so I had to adjust it. I have been thinking about converting to the Orthodox Church, but God’s time has not yet to come. And I have learnt to gladly and thankfully accept the will of God to stay and serve at the church right now. I still would like to follow the rules of the traditions but I am not so sure if I can make it. Would you please kindly give me some advices?

[@randallb.7180]

Thank you for this video!

[@clarefrenchum9696]

I needed this. Thank you Father. 🙏

[@rainastor4789]

It’s interesting that this came up today. Thank you, Father. I have fasted quite a bit for health reasons, but am just now exploring the ideas of fasting for the sake of prayer and have never considered that it was meant to be obedience. One of the saints I was reading about said he fasted by only eating after sundown. Others have mentioned not eating meat or dairy on Wednesday and Friday. What IS the rule? And what is this 40 day fast before Christmas. Today you mentioned that it was commonly understood that one should eat once a day. Is that “fasting” or just simply normal monastic life? You know me... lots of questions always... but I would like to explore this truth, once I know what is being asked of us.

[@lindamartin6798]

I had the same questions after just seeing this video. It's confusing, and unfortunate, that we don't hear the same from many of our clergy in North America; they instead say the opposite, that people can and should choose things to fast from that they are particularly attached to and replace the time spent on those things, or when temptations arise to 'cheat', by turning to more prayer to grow spiritually. Even the amount of food they say is allowed for fasting seems like more than what many less fortunate people would have to eat, although they say one of the reasons for fasting is to know hunger and be united, having more compassion and understanding, with the suffering of others. I've heard of fasting on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays, but I'm not aware of the actual rules prescribed by the Orthodox Church and/or Dessert Fathers and Mothers. Thank you for this video, Father. Prayers for you and all in the community. May God bless you.

[@luciaperezguerra105]

Me too, please, I'd love to know about this fasting before Christmas :)

[@bishoyalphonse]

Brothers and sisters in the lord asking for the “rules”, I m not a teacher, but here are the rule we had from father Macarius ( a Coptic orthodox bishop in egypt ), sharing them until our father here shares something in response to you - when it comes to what to eat, the 40 days until Jan 7, we eat mostly vegan, especially on Wednesday and Friday, otherwise we can eat fish on other days, no meat or dairy - abstaining from food and water all days until noon, on wed and Friday until 3pm, no abstention on Saturday and Sunday - 30 prostrations per day - Daily readings from the books of wisdom in the holy bible ( such as Job, Proverbs, Sirach, .. ) - Other readings on Incarnation This is the source of what I shared, it's in Arabic, and I did the translation of the first few minutes of it kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYS6aGSHhq-JmZY

[@MediaevalGuitar]

Father, bless. Thank you for making your wisdom available in this way. Only two or three decades ago how hard it would have been for an English-speaker to find!

[@dallaswolf1387]

Being married to a non-Orthodox, I do what I can in terms of fasting. I frequently opt for a full fast rather than making her pick and chose the menu.

[@evans3922]

If the woman is non Orthodox then it's more difficult for the husband to keep fasting fully according to fasting rules... But there are always options to eat even in a fully free menu... For example you can eat rice, potatoes salad and omit the meat, eggs, cheese... But maybe your wife accepts cooking some fasting meals and she may add some non fasting foods for herself.. It all depends on the relationship you have. Spiritual father also can help you with this case... May God strengthen you brother... Amen

[@fstri757]

I am eager to hear what more you will share with us on this topic. I am greatly afflicted by the subject of fasting. When I began watching this video, I did not like what I thought you were saying. But I thought to myself: "I have only ever known Father Seraphim to say things out of humility, love, and compassion, and so I will listen to what he says even if it sets my conscience on fire." But I rejoiced as I began to realize later in the video that you were saying almost the opposite of what I had originally thought. You have much wisdom on this subject, and I am eager to learn something that might benefit my soul as the nativity fast quickly approaches. I am curious what you would say to those of us who are already burdened by dietary restrictions due to ongoing health concerns, and also what you would say to someone who feels crushed under the weight of fasting rules that seem completely and utterly impossible to follow. I am not tempted to pride by my fasting, but I am tempted to despondency and shame. I take courage in the Paschal sermon of St John Chrysostom and the gospel reading prior to Lent. Apart from those two sources of light, I would think there was no hope of God's grace for a person like myself who is weighed down and crushed under the load of the fast. I grew up Protestant. We approached fasting similarly to the way the prophets of Baal cut themselves while begging Baal to send rain. We used fasting as a means of afflicting ourselves enough to convince God to take our prayer seriously. It is hard to shake these old feelings, and the moment I even begin to fast I fall into resentfulness. I begin to feel as though God is laughing at my struggle. It is a sick way to view God, but I am a person full of much sickness. Please pray for me that I will find a way to use the nativity fast this year as a means of my salvation rather than a torture chamber of the demons. I am a mother. While I struggle to figure out how to fast in a spiritually healthy way, I also desire to teach my children. But how can I teach my children, if I myself cannot approach this subject with maturity?

[@elioftheforest]

@faith Most priests, including Fr. Seraphim, would tweak the guidelines (as it’s not a strict rule) to fit your health needs. I bet he’ll reply soon, it takes a day or two usually.

[@imnotbuddha]

How wonderful. Thank you. I hope you may now provide a follow up guide of how to fast in the right way.

[@carolinerhules1970]

Blessing right back at Fr Seraphim and his monastery peoples! I have had urging to fast and I fight it. Its true sometimes the urge to fast does not come from God and it this case it was. I too, need more direction, some guidance. My family is surprised at my changes but my struggles are too deep. I need help from God outside of my normal experience. I need to especially not hate my enemies or be very angry from past tragedies. It is prideful to be offended and insulted. Love must come from God.

[@Nancybelongs2Jesus]

these are helpful comments, but also produce more questions in me. first of all, thank you for serving us. specific service to those who want to be taught, instead of just pouring knowledge that might not be the golden apple in settings of silver...this shows a kind heart. thank you! well, i attend a church that often encourages and practices extreme fasting. (40 day fasts). i have fasted at different times my whole Christian life, but often it is difficult...in the times it hasn’t been, the glory and peace of God has been so strengthening to me. i can feel in my soul, i was accomplishing His work. In the trying moments, i am constantly wanting to remember that i’m not fasting to make God do something for me....there is such a conflict because I know fasting can honor God. But, this church that we love for many reasons, is also a poor example to me as these extreme disciplines become very human-focused and not Christ exalting. i guess i’m asking you: how does one determine when called to fast? how does one find purity in the seeking and not become fixed on getting an answer...and, i’m older now and it’s very hard to go without food completely. are partial fasts honoring and a sweet sacrifice or should i presume that the suffering of the body is part of the goal? thank you, praying the grace and peace of Christ over you and the monastery. o, one more question: why do you believe that the Apostle Paul did not address fasting? it really doesn’t show up in his letters...or the other N. T. authors for that matter. thank you! ~from Texas

[@monkeywrenchization]

Should a person eat what is given to him, and accept it as a gift, or refuse to eat it and disrespect your host because you are fasting?

[@pennypiper7382]

Interesting question. Many years ago ,our new neighbour, a French speaking Vietnamese gentleman with a Christian background was invited by us to share tea and scones. He said he was fasting* that day so he could only drink the tea. We thought that was lovely. The conversation flowed and we exchanged various news about this and that. They were gentle neighbours and I will always respect their ways.

[@withelisa]

Guests' needs should take priority over the host's pride. But, you as guest can help ease any future tension. A polite notification in advance ("thank you for your gracious invite- I think it fair to mention I am fasting from meat, eggs, and dairy at this time for religious reasons") along with a simple request for accommodation ("just tea would be lovely, or perhaps cut vegetables with hummus") is a courteous warning for a host. Best!

[@janinedionne1869]

Thank you for this video. I have been bread and water fasting for several months making spelt bread per instructions from a religious. Nut I have told everyone thst I am doing it which now know is not correct. I would like to hear more from you abouit the rules of fasting. Thank you

[@ManSublime]

Just last week I watched a Greek Orthodox priest in a video speak about three different ways of fasting, and he said to not let anyone tell you how you should fast, that you should make that decision for yourself. AND now I have seen this video, which is essentially saying the opposite, that we should NOT make the decision for ourselves, but instead be obedient to how the Church tells us to fast. This is confusing, and also why I wish we had more unity and like-mindedness in the Orthodox Church. Please pray for me, because I struggle with fasting. I am the only Orthodox Christian in my family, so it makes it difficult when meals are made.

[@lcf3335]

Excellent

[@andyc6439]

I am new to this and have been fasting in my own way, which I now see is a matter of pride. I would love to see these videos continuing, explaining in more detail how to fast, which foods to abstain from. What are the fasting seasons? And the reasons for fasting in those seasons. Which foods should we abstain from? Are there different kinds of fasts? Anything you can say on these topics will be gratefully received, and any guidance about resources / websites / books that might explain this in more detail would be appreciated. I live too far from a monastery. May God bless you father...

[@brittanyrand2629]

Thank you, Father! By the grace of God, I am a new catechumen and your videos are very helpful to me as I prepare to enter the church in due time. May you and your monastery be blessed!

[@suesmith9665]

Oh that what fasting is, great ♥

[@thomascarty8571]

God bless you Father for filming your videos about fasting as well as many other useful information about our relationship with God... I’m fairly new to the catholic faith and happy to learn. My husband and I feel blessed and happy to listen to you talk . You are a great comfort to us both especially during COVID, may mother Mary and Jesus Christ bless you and your family in the monastery . Many blessings to you all from Tasmania 🙏💖🙏

[@franhourican4947]

Thank you Father! I needed this talk getting ready for the Advent fast. GOD bless you.

[@setsappa1540]

I never figured this. Thank you. It goes way beyond fasting neceserily this way of thinking. Thank you for this gift. ^^

[@kidistiamaniel6524]

Thank you so much Father for sharing this video pray for us father Amen amen amen God bless for all of us

[@maaikekamstra7353]

Dear Father, I don't nothing about fasting. Only I did some fasting for loosing weight. I really want to learn the rules of the Orthodox Church. But I don't nothing about it. I start reading "the Philokalia" and at the moment reading Saint Gregory of Palamas and also a lot of sermons in old book from Saint John Chrysostom. But there is no schedule in it. So I learn from you praying by night and making Bows, doing a cross. Al this things are very new. I want to learn and to practise, because I know this is the only Truth and the real tradition.

[@alexanderhaddad7493]

God bless. Really needed to hear this. Pride is something in my life that always shows it’s ugly head in one form or another. Thank you.

[@lindamcauley4728]

Your wisdom is so inspirational. I find that I want to know more about the Orthodox religion. God bless and watch over you 🙏

[@muchtested]

I would like to learn more about fasting, Father. May God bless you and the other monastics. What book about the Desert Fathers were you quoting from?

[@christopherselleck5150]

I had a understandings that the fasting acceleration the power of the prayer .the fast it self has to effect you . What moves me ? Moves God 🙏.

[@muchtested]

@Blessed are the Poor Thank you for the title. Would you happen to know by whom, there are several different compilations with that title? I would like to get the same one, but maybe any one of them is better than having none.

[@larawillingham3174]

This was a very enlightening video for me to watch today. Thank you so much for your videos, dear Father Seraphim. They are so helpful to my spiritual journey.

[@suesmith9665]

I like to try

[@maaikekamstra7353]

Want to confess. I hear terrible news. My nice want to do suicide, 14 years old. She is a abused child. Speak with my brother on the phone. I already drinking wine. Start cooking. Want to buy another bottle to get realy drunk. Everything inside want to go to the shop. I had 1000 reasons to go. I start cooking, angry, depressed praying the Jesus-prayer. I was angry. Very very angry. But just praying. I saw the goat and you Father Seraphim. And something inside ask me: Imagine Father Seraphim is here, in the kitchen. Just think about him as your friend, think that you writing a comment, how you surviced this attack. Think of the innocent goat. I was obedience to this picture. Tear running. I did not get drunk but remember my online friend, my brother in Jesus. Who save me for drinking another bottle of wine. Oh glorious Light who heals us, save us. Thank you all brothers of the Mull Monastery. Hug from Amstersterdam/Holland. Thank you for being with us, family in Amsterdam.

[@katkat2340]

Take courage from our Lady who is with you in your torment .

[@liehhungc3261]

Will pray for you and your family! May the Lord embrace you at this painful moment.

[@wendyflanagan5738]

In Jesus's Name, pray to cast out the suicide demon. Stay mentally calm and wear the spiritual armour. The helmet of Salvation is a spiritual head protection to protect your brain and head. The battle is mainly of the mind. Jesus and St. Michael can help you. Invoke them for serious help. Fast from all negative thoughts. Pray the Jesus Prayer it deters demons. "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have Mercy on me a sinner. AMEN."

[@meronassefa4080]

God beschermt je en je nichtje❤️🙏🏽☦️

[@elzbietaponiatowski417]

I will invoke Holy Spirit so you can be convince by Holy spirit , that you’re his beloved child that he love you so much he don’t demand anything from you just he wants to give you a hug I will pray for all evil and darkness will go under the feet of Christ crucified on the cross of our Savior this is commandment be free in your heart be free in your mind claim this victory ! it’s already done in our Savior he’s alive ! he conquer darkness courage!!!

[@sanctifiedyoga5493]

So, the practice of fasting is to discipline the body for obedience? How do the 2 work together? Praying and fasting? For example when Jesus told his disciples co concerning why they couldn't heal the boy of demon..."it can only be done by fasting and prayer" I love your guidance Fr. Thank you! For pouring into us.

[@elioftheforest]

Thank you Father, your blessing. Please pray to Sts. Elias, Mary of Egypt and all other Desert saints for me. I hope to be rejuvenated in my spiritual life this Nativity Fast and during the upcoming Feasts. I always enjoy the videos. Sending my metania to you. God be with us.

[@gigig2190]

Parinte vă urmăresc cu mare interes din Seattle, US. Bucurie mare sa va fi descoperit pe youtube. Nimic nu e întâmplător. 🙏

[@lizsalmon533]

Thank you Fr once again for your message and for teachings. I'm RC and have been struggling with fasting amongst other obedience. I pray you are able to continue teaching about fasting and how we can do it in a way that pleases God. Be blessed and keep Safe. God's blessings to you all my brothers and sisters in Christ.

[@tinarana7108]

Thank you Fr for this teaching on fasting. I have been struggling with fasting and often wish I had someone to guide and instruct me in this. Yes, my sin is pride, when it comes to fasting and I don't even know if I am on the right path with regards to fasting.

[@grez6330]

Thank you so much Father....

[@hilarywhite2953]

Well, I get it. It makes perfect sense. All the saints I've ever read say the same thing; any ascetic practice you take up on your own opens you up to spiritual pride. There's only one problem - what if you're completely on your own? As a Catholic, I have only the official fasting laws of the Catholic Church to fall back on, and since Vatican II these have been all but eradicated as are all the disciplines of any kind. So if you take it upon yourself to do the pre-Vatican II rules, then you're back to just making it up on your own, and so back to square one.

[@lacolombe007]

Hi Hilary, we still have various fasting guidelines, though not compulsory in many cases but highly recommended. There are weekly (Wednesday and/or Friday fasts) as well as yearly (Lent) fasting periods. Wednesday & Friday (water and bread) as requested by Our Lady at Medjugorje. For those fasting on On Fridays only, (fast from meat, 2 smaller meals or only 1 meal). I was raised in a culture where we practice the Friday fast (no meat and/or only 1 meal a day) year-round and also fast through the Lenten season, meaning one meal a day. Though it is not compulsory, those who practice it see many blessings from it. Here is a video that may be interesting to you kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4rclqp4m6iJf5I

[@maxinehall572]

Thank you very much Fr Seraphim. I'm newly Chrismated and have kept the Wednesday & Friday fasts but hadn't thought through how Fasting is a spiritual tool which feeds the virtue of humility whilst starving the sin of pride. This video in such a huge help. May God bless all your endeavours and those of the monastery. 🙏🏻

[@user-pl8kc2lo1r]

Thank you father

[@aliciadiaz131]

I am terrible with fasting. I never knew about it or did it until recently. I was moved by somebody’s witness and so I tried it. I didn’t like doing it but I did it. It made me aware of many flaws in myself and it also moved me to notice others better and in a loving light. It increased my patience, which boggled my mind since I usually go to food when I’m stressed. I experience it in such a way than whenever I would deny myself something or if I would feel a hunger pang I would immediately think of God and imagine a flower and offer it to him. I think that short period of my life was a Grace. I think I experienced fasting like God intends. However, after a while I took things for granted and all I can say is I lacked discipline and there is also a terrible lack of spiritual accompaniment. I do not wish to blame this on anything outside myself but I do believe (and have experienced) that trying to become better, at least for me, should not be a “solo” journey.

[@Stevepsych22]

Thank you very much Fr Seraphim. I am very helped by your talks; there is so much ignorance to overcome! Can you please relate the title of the blue book you read to us from?