THE RULES OF FASTING: AN EMPTY STOMACH versus A GOOD HEART?

Where is the truth in all of this? Is this really a fight, a choice between 'an empty stomach' and 'a loving heart'?
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We all know people who fast and follow all the rules of the Church, yet their hearts are cold and ready to judge and condemn their neighbour. Is this a good reason to reject fasting altogether? Is this a sign that Fasting itself is something bad, to be totally abandoned?
We also know people who never fast and keep bragging about a good heart that is not visible to anyone else except themselves. These are the people who only imagine that they have a spiritual life, who are equally ready to judge their neighbour as those whom they condemn for following the fasts.
Where is the truth in all of this? Is this really a fight, a choice between 'an empty stomach' and 'a loving heart'? The tradition of the Church, the Holy Apostles and Christ Himself thought and taught us differently - they taught us to learn repentance through fasting and prayer, so that our hearts may receive His Love for humankind.
The Orthodox rules of fasting, followed by the whole Orthodox Church:
www.oca.org/liturgics/outline...
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Remember to S U B S C R I B E and S H A R E !
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The video 'THE RULES OF FASTING: AN EMPTY STOMACH versus A GOOD HEART?' was recorded by Fr Seraphim Aldea, at Mull Monastery (The Orthodox Monastery of All Celtic Saints), on the Isle of Mull.

[@AVNYC1996]

A wise man said about the fast: "While you do not eating meat, remember not to eat each other". So many people are worried about what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat, that they forget what fast is all about - abstaining from judging others, cleaning ourselves of hateful thoughts, anger, resentment, envy, fear, opening our hearts to compassion, forgiveness, and love. Fast is time of purification, food just helps. it's time for upping up spiritual engagement, spending more time reading the Bible, teachings of the Holy Fathers, Life of Saints, spending time in prayer and silence, spending more time attending Church services, and, of course, repentance.

[@ArmwrestlingJoe]

Im 21 and live in America and was raised Irish Catholic but have been agnostic for the past 5 years. I have discovered orthodox Christianity and find it very welcoming and interesting

[@austinadams9464]

Same.

[@RachelGray33]

God bless you

[@evangelosemanueltsarnas5678]

Im 21 and I was raised in the Orthodox church. I see all these men and women our age care of the world and are full of the passions. I have a very small inner circle of Orthodox guys our age, who care not of this world but of their souls. What a joy to speak in dialogue with those who care of the soul and not the body. Brother seek Orthodoxy, and God will guide you to salvation and truth. Your life will change :)

[@joyceliguori6147]

Isn’t the Roman Catholic rules of fasting the same?

[@imatrOlda]

@@joyceliguori6147 I am catholic, but basically living according to the byzantine traditions (even participating in orthodox sacraments - with permission of bishops) for over 10years so I know pretty well both traditions. The fasting rules of the Catholic Church (You mean probably the latin tradition, because in the Roman Catholic Church are more than 20 traditions - Eastern churches - including the byzantine) are not exactly the same. In the old past there was so called quadragesima Sancti Martini - St.Martins Lent - which was pretty similar, but later the preparation for Xmas is shorter and called advent. there are except Ash Wednesday and Good Friday nowadays no canonical rules (obligations) for fasting (and also on the two days it is different to orthodox tradition - it is: no meat, eat full only once a day. i.e. You can eat milch products, oil etc.). On other days fasting is only generally recommended. No detailed fasting calendars like in the orthodoxy. 90% of priest are preaching unfortunately only the spiritual side of fasting and the very conservative traditionalist streams inside and outside of CC unfortunately tend to fall in the other extreme that is described in the video. But more and more people (also or maybe especially young people) understand pretty well, what has been said in the video and try to apply it in their lives. Fr. Serafim forgot one aspect of fasting and it is the social one. Even if many catholics personally fast, it is not the same, like in the orthodox church where many people are together on the way in the fasting process. I think that is very positive.

[@thanasistama3943]

Each day is the struggle. Sometimes you fail. You get up, regret, repent and start again. We might even learn something of humility, love, and God.

[@ginaroller9289]

Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy me a poor sinner!

[@Nancybelongs2Jesus]

on the couch....wasting time living in my imagination....Lord, help me cross into Your reality and deny myself.

[@lorenatenorio3311]

@iury1986 Is this the prayer you are talking about? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

[@maximhornby5493]

@@lorenatenorio3311 yes that's the one

[@georgetsetsakos6088]

@@lorenatenorio3311 Yes! Some say the abbreviated version: "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me."

[@ah-lp5cm]

My imagination is destroying my life quite literally, I get so stuck in it that I waste precious time of the day just listening to music and living in imaginary worlds, thus refraining of completing crucial tasks or doing something meaningful in general. But I think that I "feed" my imagination by being on the internet, watching so many KZbin videos or movies etc. It's triggered mostly when I listen to music tho. If I stop doing these things for some time, my tendency to get lost in my fantasy world reduces as well. Find the reason as to why you do it and how it gets triggered and it will be easier for you to work on it. Ofc prayer is needed as well.

[@Winnie0904]

Herr Jesus Christus, Sohn Gottes. Erbarme Dich meiner, des Sünders! Greetings and love from Germany!

[@mkeenan1955]

Thank you Father for another heartfelt message. Please pray for us in the US. We are on a boat in uncharted waters. Not only the captain at the helm but the officers on deck do not know the course. The vessel is too complicated to maneuver through them and it may be rudderless.

[@ChibiBoxing]

Hello! I started behaving like a christian and following orthodox teachings and fastings; Pascha's fast was somewhat poor, stopped eating meat but I ate cheese. For Nativity's fast I want to do it as strict as posible, I respect the calendar imposed by my country so I didn't mind starting my 40 days of fasting a couple of days ago. I live in a country that is becoming more and more secular as time goes on, most orthodox churches are an hour or more from my house, so I find your teachings very helpful and close to me, since you're answering many questions I have. Thank you for your tips and teachings! I'm eager to listen to more of them! God bless you, from Argentina

[@mirceacruceru9050]

God bless you my friend. Don't forget that you are not alone in this spiritual war, Christ is with us ans supports and guides us. Ask Him to come into your life, ask Him to give you the strength to love Him and all the people. It's Christ who gives us the victory, it's not us who obtain it only by our force and struggle. Be sincere and let yourself, your life in Christ's hands and will see that " the yoke is easy and burden is light".

[@davidgriffin5706]

amen .. Christ is risen i pray for you and the others ... please keep me in prayer im very sick today ... God bless you

[@mmaakkiinn]

🙏

[@RachelGray33]

May the Lord bless you with healing mercies. Lord have mercy.

[@audenlasso-chavez617]

I'm a Byzantine Catholic and I'm very grateful for all that you share Fr. Seraphim, it has been very helpful in my spiritual life.

[@GrislyAtoms12]

If anyone fails at fasting, take heart! You can always try again the next day.

[@CameronB]

I got this notification just before I went to school lunch. Thank you, brother. This video saved me! God bless! ❤☦

[@Liamfulful]

I am going to do a 21 spiritual water fast from Dec 1st to Dec 21st! The info in this video has been very useful, thanks for uploading 🙏

[@corina4966]

God bless you Father Seraphim! I'm a Romanian, living in Canada, and an Orthodox. I'm so happy that I discovered your channel. The way you explain everything makes so much sense and, even if I always thought I knew these things deep down in my heart, you bring so much light and clarity to them and I really feel I become a better person by simply listening to you. Please keep up with educating us and hopefully you will continue doing these videos when the pandemic ends as well. P.S.: I love it when you start your videos directly with "Hello my dear ones!" and then get into the topic - so I'm glad that today you didn't have time to edit it. :D

[@PhoebeK]

Father bless, Thankyou for one of the most balanced presentations of Fasting I have heard. So much of what I have heard has been focused on the practical rules to the point they can push into despair those who are unable to fast to the strictness of the rules. Especially thankyou for reminding us not to judge others over fasting as that is an area I have had many issues.

[@ananonymousoyster365]

Never stop these videos. Please. I appreciate them so much

[@kateh2354]

Fasting does matter. Jesus told the apostles that certain kinds of demons can only be driven out through prayer and fasting. Fasting is important, but it takes lots of prayer to make it possible and sincere.

[@marieh9204]

I have received the conviction of fasting in honor of St Joseph on wednesdays. Since Then probably more than 50 % of the time , I fail. And I feel sad in my spirit because I know I should have resisted temptation. Fasting is a powerful tool to our spiritual growth. Done the correct way, in an approach of humility, it can lead us to great virtue. I know when my eating is not controlled, I cant demonstrate virtue. When I fast and control my eating, though Im never perfect, I feel the Holy Spirits presence more closely... thank you for your deep, thought provoking helpful insight. I can sense your sincerity and deep faith. It is very refreshing and has life which is so needed in our culture today. We have fallen so far from Jesus, it breaks my heart. If people would just give HIM a chance, how life changing and in turn, world changing it would be!😊

[@rainastor4789]

I loved this comment. 🙂

[@GrislyAtoms12]

Hi Marie H. When a person starts fasting, it is usually very difficult because their body is not used to burning fat. We have such an abundance of food in developed nations, no one ever misses a meal. In the last 4 years I have gained quite a bit of fasting experience. And this experience tells me that the toughest part is getting your body accustomed to fat burning. There are 2 different ways you can get your body to burn fat. One is to switch to a ketogenic diet. This means you eat very little carbohydrate, less than 20 grams a day. There is a ton of information on the internet about how to do this. Please do a web search on 'keto flu' before you start, so you know what symptoms to expect as you learn to burn fat again. The 2nd way is to do a longer fast, water only. If you are used to breaking your fast at dinner time, in the evening, try extending your fast to the next day (it will be tough to sleep the first time you do this). Also, do not consume anything other than water, not even artificially sweetened 'zero calorie' drinks. If you get light-headed, put a pinch of sea salt and a pinch of Nu salt in water, stir it, and drink it. Otherwise, only drink when you are thirsty. Soon, your body will get adapted to burning fat, and fasting will get easier and easier. In 2019, I worked up to a 2-day fast and then a 3-day fast. This year I did a 4-day fast, and will try a 5-day fast starting tomorrow.

[@jancykattakayam6690]

I love this comment,I love st.Joseph

[@jeannettelelko2210]

May the two Angel's that visit us be blessed.

[@jennyamiantitis4906]

Dearest Fr Seraphim. How nice to hear and see you although you are far away, yet so close. Thank you again for your caring ways in teaching / guidance through the spiritual journey towards salvation. We love you 🙏.

[@happynow2926]

God bless you for all these videos father. Your voice simply always uplifts me and brings me closer to the wonderful mystery of Christ our King. Thank you again for all that you do.

[@mullmonastery]

That is so kind of you to say, dear one. We all struggle at this time, and it helps SO much to know that what we do does help a bit. We receive so much encouragement and practical support from people, this is the least we can do to show our gratitude. Be blessed, dear one.

[@nicole24243]

Greetings from California of the USA! I found your video very helpful. God bless you!

[@paxvobiscum9859]

Best video I’ve seen on the subject of fasting, to date. Thank you, Father. 🙏

[@wreynnwood4097]

This is information I have hungered for and needed. Your ernesty helps my spirit hear ....thankyou. I have asked for a spiritual director both from God and Church and from fellow parishioners on how to find one. Perhaps these videos are the answer to that prayer!

[@remahunt4277]

It is hard to hear all you say, because the things I am that are far less than perfect cut to the bone of the flesh and expose any delusions I have about myself. Every word you say is known to my spiritual being as truth, and there is no where to hide. I am sure I bumped into your channel because on it I hear subjects that will make me grow spiritually. It was no accident, God knows what each child needs. God Bless you and all your Brothers at Mull Monastery.

[@jancykattakayam6690]

Father I love this teachings,and you praying for us cause we all in our family need repentance without delay.Ourbestwishes for all of you.It is so hard to fast especially for me.💐💐💐💐💐💐

[@dominiquesirgy]

Dear Father, Thank you for your guidance. I would really benefit from a talk on monastic discernment, its stages, and accompanying experiences including fear and joy. Father, I would also love if one of the sisters made a video sometime about any topic that interests her, and also about sisterhood in the Mull Monastery. Thank you for your care that has meant so much to many, as is clear in the comments :) Amin

[@waitlifter]

God bless you! Thank you for these words of wisdom. Fasting is a beautiful thing.

[@Clodaghbob]

Thanks for the explanation of fasting by comparing it to music. I get it! If you love playing music, it follows that you will learn the technique(s) and you'll keep practising. It's the same with oil painting. If you don't learn how the paints interact with each other you'll end up with a muddy mess. But if you really love painting you _will_ learn the techniques and you _will_ put in the practice.

[@celesteyurek577]

Praise God for the beauty of your teaching! God Bless you Father, I'm learning!

[@oddlybeautifuldesigns821]

Thank you

[@annettefowler4704]

Thank you for all your videos, you help me very much, God Bless YOU.

[@JezielProdigalSon]

I think i might be the guy who imagines the boat, but never steps on it. Thank you for the eye-opener. I will try to change, for the better.

[@peterissajenko2311]

Thank you!

[@Felixculpa33]

Thank you for what you do, in Christ I truly thank you. Thank you Christ Jesus for the gifts and blessing you have given this man. I have been struggling greatly with fasting but its a Struggle for Christ and i am blessed to have it. Love you all, never give up even in the swamp of despondency.

[@mountynader646]

God bless ☦

[@JohnchapterVersesand]

4:04 to 6:02 wow those 2 category is ME. Face palm moment.

[@ninaarpolahti3582]

Thank you so much:)

[@butterification]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@sandrafulton4351]

I love your teachings and so appreciate you. Thank you.

[@sferreira4413]

God Bless you

[@JuliaJayATOP]

Very insightful ☦️❤️🙏🏼

[@despinasnyder7450]

Thank you for sharing your spiritual wisdom with us.

[@lindarothera7838]

When l see and hear you, a smile comes across my face

[@johnno.]

brilliant message

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

Thank you father!

[@mg_claymore8611]

Great advice.

[@s.d.berquist6866]

Thank you for this encouraging and instructive video, dear Fr. Seraphim.

[@monizoe3188]

Blessings and love in Christ, please, what is vigil?

[@lefkiphilippou4082]

Thank you Father! This has been very useful and will continue to be so.. God bless.

[@shadeseeker8484]

Thank you very much for your wonderful insights. Love this channel!

[@ruthbroderick4175]

Oh thank you so much for this wonderful video Thank you for taken the time out for us. Thank you for your wisdom and love. God bless you brother.

[@nickcef]

I like to do excessive daily exercise to the point of exhaustion as a penance. Unfortunately, I can't do that if I fast. However, I see your point and am considering mending my daily routine to include at least 2 days of fasting. God bless you.

[@ellen823ful]

You can’t EARN salvation.

[@mominakhalilhassan9033]

Amen

[@lucyo.]

Thank You for all Your words... I use to ask my spiritual Father for the blessing me on the coming fasting each time. I believe God's grace is helping me then. Fasting helps me to focus on prayer and God...

[@dallaswolf1387]

Loved your analogies of practical fasting technique to creating literature and music. I Also like your admonition to fast, regardless of our failures and doubts. Reminds me of your admonition on prayer; "just start"!

[@pdstor]

I have grown injured and crippled to the point of not being able to do more than half of a bow, and hopefully one bow to the ground during Consecration. Embrace it while you can.

[@lcf3335]

impressive intellectual words of common sense and wisdom.. Love this video

[@CG-mx2wu]

Thank you for your talk. I enjoy your talks. I realize when I start feeling anxious about things I cannot change, I usually start looking for something to eat. Eating calms me down for a short while, but doesn't provide long term calmness. I am trying to learn to "fast" on God's comfort and not the comfort of food.

[@1meanliz]

I appreciate the videos from Fr Seraphim. I loved the one on night prayer. I pray on schedule around my work day schedule in planned times. I receive the sacraments as much as I can. Soon I felt compelled to fast while praying more specifically for others. I have people in my life that I hope for them to find their way to faith and the church. I don’t fast for myself and have never observed fasting for Advent. I do it for them. I will try this year according to the orthodox way I think it is wonderful to let the spirit grow stronger over subjugating the will and the body like our Lord did. He showed us the way.

[@donaldwalcott1647]

What is the difference between fasting and keeping a covenant? Keep praying for the faithful.

[@Ancipital_]

You remind me of what I read from Evagrius Ponticus in two books written by Gabriel Bunge. Thank you.

[@mkeenan1955]

In light of Father’s counsel on fasting and the body as mere dust, matter, I think we should have a true change of diet during the period of fasting. Some Americans have the problem of obesity and being overweight in general. This comes from malnutrition (though not the malnutrition of starvation). As mere dust and matter our bodies are being fed by dead food, such as fast food in the US and dining out. My wife and I were discussing this in terms she knows from her knowledge of chemistry and the immune system. Overcooked vegetables are depleted of their natural enzymes and the nutrients as well-hence dead food. Or, eating too much sugar and the problem of diabetes. So, I think that fasting is not only about eating less food but eating healthy vegan food that is not overcooked. In short, there is a health benefit of fasting.

[@maxxs9371]

Father, I just discovered this video, this channel... I never knew about all of this. What I try to say is that I'm not a spiritual person, I never really cared about it. I was looking for videos about fasting as a diet for the healthy benefits. Then I saw this vid, and now I have something new to think about. I don't know what my conclusions will be, but definitely there's something to think about. It seems like my words are no getting to a point actually. I just feel like I really need to say thank you for your words. I realized that I need fasting for my soul, not just for the body, I don't know which pathway or method I'll be seeking for it, wether it's going to be religion or plain meditation, it's hard for me to get into a religion, no offense Father. I would like to get some words from you. Again, thank you for your words.

[@josephdaviswyeth9459]

It is ok to not know your path. God wants to guide you home. This world is very dark and confusing. I pray that you find your wayk

[@liehhungc3261]

Thank you so much again, Father, for sharing the teachings about fasting. I will try to do the fasting in the way you had instructed to train myself in obedience, honoring the tradition of the church for 2000 years and also training myself spituially. I did find myself fighting a lot against the thoughts of condemning others though. But every time I started having those thoughts, I turned around to focus back on myself to claim that "I am the worst sinner of all and I am nothing". The self-condemnation would probably be the training of humility as the apostle St. Paul had also made such claim himself? Thank you so much for the advice and I surely will put it into practice and meditate on the concept. May God bless and I will keep you all in my prayers!

[@lenacrang4025]

Holy Mass; Holy Priests; Holy Religious; Praying for the protection, healing (Eucharist), and safety (Prayers) for all the unborn children suffering the 'Modernist/Post-Modern Elites' Nihilist Death Society' - God have mercy on us all - Jesus is Alive

[@colmcummings7393]

I admire anybody that has ago at fasting.. rightly are wrongly... at least if Ur wrong you can always put it right ..right..👌

[@vivienne4686]

May the Good Lord Grant you peace and graces upon graces.

[@valianghel3454]

God Bless you Father Serafim! In a few Days i Will start The fast for The birth of Our Lord Christ.

[@luciaperezguerra105]

Beautiful, my heart was looking to understand the practical ways of fasting which is important but God led me to your Master Classes on the Spiritual importance of fasting which is what really matters in order to fast properly. What would you advice, father, when people talk about fasting not (only) on food but (also) on material things. Do you think it is an excuse to avoid food fasting or it should be also considered as a complement to food fasting in present times?? thank you for your commentaries and God bless for all these amazing teachings!!

[@trinitytwo14992]

I love you too! Thank you for your guidance I have felt the call to fast and pray. I am already Vegetarian, so I have gone to only milk and water, but still am not sure on how long. I started with 3 days, have decided to move it to 7 days, have thought about 21 days, and 40 but that just seems like its too long. I will pray on it to find the right number. God bless you and these wonderful videos, they are very helpful.

[@thomascarty8571]

Amen Father, please keep praying for us all, please keep talking to us we love so very much videos ...we have a spiritual advisor who we love dearly, we also dearly love your talks about Jesus. Amen amen amen 🙏.

[@onelove6576]

Im vegetarian and for me this is easy... so I cant senthat as an offer to God. Can I do anything else instegade that might have a similar impat? Thanx for the video. Love from Sweden! 💟☦️💟

[@RT-yc3tk]

Think of others as greater than ourself, but what about loving others as much as we love ourself? This is confusing. Love these lessons. God bless, pray for me please. I am scared, mostly alone, as we are apart frm loved ones. Been alone for so long evn with family.

[@27ad]

✝️

[@mje7352]

🕊️🌼

[@katiegorno652]

What a wonderful video father. May I please ask what you would advise to a full time vegan please. I do not have a spiritual father in the Orthodox Church to ask. How should I fast? God bless

[@samgg5431]

I cant do anything right.

[@didihrpro3499]

🙏🏼☦️🕊❤️

[@ionvoiculet3210]

🙏

[@snugglyduck6534]

I swore I was a good man but rejected Christ and the truth. I was well fed for it. Demons had their feast on me, and I threw myself down to submit to the Lord. My heart was revealed to be filthy during the process of being well fed, the stomach is the pig trough, and I became a pig, lecherous beast. Fasting is essential - we are the beast - don't feed the beast or he delights in his wicked ways. That's why we fast. Matthew 6.

[@lady7918]

Hello Fr. Seraphim. Do you know much about the letter written to Tiberius Caesar by Publius Lentulus about the Physiognomy of Jesus? Can you comment on it? if so, perhaps make a video about it? I think it's a fit subject of discussion, now that we're preparing for the Nativity feast. Thank you dearly.

[@johnnygreeko9886]

Fasting also strengthens your faith.

[@margohealy575]

Thank you Father for your share. I need help understanding what my role as a Grandmother is, when I AM told by my daughter in law she is not going to baptised her children, my three Grandchildren (6, 4, & 2 years old) n let them decide their faith. Can I baptised them in a way that will not offend their parents n protect these children of this spiritual abuse, as my parish priest has described this lack n delay of their baptism.

[@yacobthehebrew7264]

Beautiful message about our Mashiach Yeshua. We up lift and praise His name, and make ourselves lower. Yeshua is the Way, Truth and Life of the Whole World 🗺️🙏🕊️ Your brother that cares about your Salvation Yacob

[@omegamelody6947]

Is Nativity fast the same with Lent fast?

[@littlesoul8908]

father, you recommend that we should fast under the obedience but what if we do not have a spiritual father yet? also, from practical point of view, i find it very difficult when somebody needs to look after the family, cook for them etc and she/he is the only one who is fasting there. i don't think she/he can force it upon the family (maybe once, twice a week, but not for 40 days). plus if she/he works full time the meals which he/she could buy is very limited.... started with the bread where they put the oil or dried egg or milk....

[@tsigereda-rose5534]

I came across your comment. Here to be a little support as a Tewahedo Orthodox Christian. I fast for how many years now, just me in my family.And i am the one who cooks for the family, so i plan ahead with the kind of groceries i buy. Work M-F. Usually i cook at night for the next day after everyone has gone to bed.After a shower and a long prayer i sleep around 11 pm. You can do it. Fasting and prayer together is a key to healthy relationship with God. Blessings to you!

[@patrickhallis3379]

Dear Fr. Seraphim...I use this name as I read some of the comments. What has made sense to me is the pride of doing a fast on my own terms and doing a fast that is given (by God ?) or a (spiritual director) and doing that in obedience and humility. Now I have heard of Mother Mary's request to fast on bread and water on Wednesday and Friday. That is Mother Mary's request and I have tried it. I am 71 and have recently got a problem with my gut and feel weak. I struggle and wonder if it is the demons trying to prevent me from fasting or should I listen to my family members who keep pressing me to eat and not be stubborn. Could you please advise me a way to fast for my condition as to fast is asked for by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you, Fr.

[@dorcasruhamya9453]

Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Just to be sure, the fasting is not from all foods, but animal products and oil? So one can eat breakfast lunch and dinner? How is it fasting if you already live a vegan lifestyle? Also, are these just Orthodox rules or catholic rules in general? Can you also talk about how often one should pray while fasting, and living during these times, technology can be a huge source of distraction while fasting(at least for me). I tend to find distractions than actually kneel down and pray, I am more afraid of breaking the fast that in the end, it's just a diet. I think these difficulties are not really spoken about in the Catholic Church. Can you please go more into detail? Thank you.

[@oksanatulpa7984]

I cannot fast I have a pancreatic cyst the carbohydrates are almost forbidden for me

[@s.d.berquist6866]

Don't worry. Do what you must for the health of your body. If you have a priest, ask him for advice.

[@vonnacollins2310]

How can I ask you questions? Or ask for a topic to be covered!?! I have came across a couple items in the grabage which I find useful for my life possibly even ministry (a Spanish english dictionary). In America garbage is thought of as free property basically. I sometimes find stuff and cleanse it and use it but as I've become more spiritually intune I noticed this stuff was different. After researching I found it once belonged to a Judge to departed in September 2020. So I have a desire to help this Judges Soul, but 1) not sure how 2) sometimes when I pray and fast for any soul (departed or not) I feel a spiritual realm shift. When is it worth it? Do we continue to pray for every soul brought before us regardless of our own wellbeing?? 3) should I have these items blessed by my priest, discard them or just cleanse and use them? Another issue:: I can feel a spirit of fear around me. Generally I will pray for freedom from any " bad feeling" spirit but how and when can I pray for the uplifting of some (if any) of the spirits I sense!?!

[@johnfloydhumble5250]

The people in United States of America are now fasting because they have no food. Cars in line several rows wide for miles all over the United States of America. It is heartbreaking. The pandemic is crushing the United States of America. So many people say the coronavirus is still a hoax. Blessings to you brother monk. Pray for us sinners in the United States of America. Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence, Arizona is fasting. Lots of beans. I can't fast because of my health issues and I have had major health issues.

[@mullmonastery]

Beans are great. As are lentils, and spinach, and kale, and cauliflower, and broccoli, and rice, and pasta (not too frequently), and olives - I could live on olives, spinach and cauliflower all 40 days of fasting. As for the struggle in the USA, I am so painfully aware of it, dear John. It is painful everywhere, but I am particularly aware of the difficulty in the USA because so many of our friends live there. This is a time when we should all come together and help each other in any way we can. These silly videos are our way to help, for example. If we all did the little that is in our power to help our neighbour, this pandemic would be so much easier to bear. Stay safe and healthy, dear one.

[@johnfloydhumble5250]

@@mullmonastery Brother monk. I have eating with the monks many times. Elder Paisios is a wonderful Abbot and all the monks work together for the Glory of God. If you ever come to the United States of America, make Certain to visit and stay at the monastery a few day's. They have like 4000 to 5000 plus olive trees. I have helped harvest the olives many times, and help make olive oil. Also have worked in the grape Vinyard many times and help make wine. Every time I go to the monastery the monks put me to work. It is awesome ! God Bless you beloved brother Monk. Yanni the Spartan Greek.

[@kaybrown4010]

John Sparta I’m so sorry that your part of America is in such dire straights. There is abundant food in this area, the Midwest, and people have no trouble accessing it. I pray that relief will come to you soon, and that God will bless you and keep you healthy. ♥️☦️🙏🏻

[@christophercourtright-cox5166]

Father Seraphim - giving up animal products, oil, and alcohol described abstinence. Doesn’t fasting traditionally refer to a restriction on the amount and frequency of eating, i.e. once a day? Thank you for your didactic and wonderful videos!

[@nromanov]

Part of what you say is correct. If I'm not mistaking the monks keeps this rules and eat only once a day. But the monks usually live a more spiritual life than we do. For us (the laymen) there's isn't really a written rule, but it isn't the intention that we over do it when we eat and drink. 2 meals a day is what is recommended by the most priests and not to much (no full bellies) of the things we may eat and no skipping of the prayers, the reading of Holy Scripture and giving of alms. These are all things what makes a good fasting.

[@gillianc6514]

the difference between fasting and abstinence is realy a thing in the Catholic tradition not Orthodoxy

[@frmichaelwalker2371]

Your blessings Father! Thank you so much for your time, words, and instruction! It gives us a boost for the middle path! May God grant us a successful Nativity Fast and a worthy Feast of Our Lord and Savior's Birth!

[@JoshAlicea1229]

The Apostle Paul tells us that when we sin, it is no longer we who sin, but the sin that LIVES IN US, (Rom. 7:17). We have sin that compels us and tempts us. This is the raw material the devil uses for our many temptations. It is like an antibiotic. We need to take it for several days for it to get the entire infection out. This is very similar to our ascetic attempts. Many of us might pray or fast when we feel the symptoms of the sin that lives in us, but we will not do so when the attacks have ceased. It is like an army that fights off an attack but leaves its walls without watchmen. We ought to be on constant patrol; petitioning God like the psalmist, "search me O' God. See if there is any wicked way in me." We ask God to illuminate our hearts; to shine His light on all of the dark places- the hiding places for all of our sin. Christ tells us in John 3:20, "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." Let us ask God for forgiveness for our stubbornness to want to subconsciously hide these sins away so that they are not rooted out. Lord, have mercy. Lastly, we must remember that salvation is a rhythm of life. It is not sparatic or seasonal. Like I said before, we are to be on constant patrol. We enter His gates with Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

[@carynroxburgh1184]

If you suffer from Hypoglycaemia How do you fast

[@mg_claymore8611]

Do you have supplements? Dont do it if it harms you physically. Perhaps ask your doctor.

[@s.d.berquist6866]

You should ask your priest for advice on the best way for you to fast. Everyone has to figure out what they are able to do, with the help of their spiritual father, if you have one. If you don't pray, asking God for guidance to someone who can help you.

[@Clodaghbob]

Caryn Roxburgh I'm not Orthodox but here's my suggestion. If you suffer from a condition that means normal fasting would put your health at risk then don't. Not only are you putting yourself at risk but you could place an extra burden on others who will have to look after you if anything untoward happens. However, you can still abstain by cutting out the foods that you normally enjoy and replacing them with other healthy stuff that you really don't enjoy.

[@iona3669]

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[@raydamoiseau]

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