By Fr. George Christodoulos
The Nativity Fast is slightly more relaxed compared to Great Lent, though both last forty days. From November 15 to December 25 the Church has established a fast, which ends immediately after the Christmas Divine Liturgy. We eat fish (except Wednesdays & Fridays) until December 17. The last days of the fast we do not eat fish.
It is worth remembering that Christ himself urges us to fast so that the devil may have no influence over our lives. The purpose of fasting is that it is a weapon to combat our passions, sinful inclinations and bad habits. Everyone in the Church, no matter what age they are, should try their best to be their best. Along with fasting from certain foods, we should also lessen or even eradicate bad habits, such as less cigarettes, less drinking, less junk food, less anger, less judgmentalism, etc. We do this by replacing them with the increase of virtuous living, such as more philanthropy, more patience, more humility, more prayer, more Holy Communion, etc.
Fasting strengthens a person spiritually and mentally because it teaches them to exercise restraint. Therefore, it is also beneficial for children. Every year in their youth they should slowly learn to fast more and more, so that they can have a stronger psychology, an enlightened mind, health and a sanctified soul in their lives. Fasting has never done any harm. On the contrary, today obesity, diabetes and heart disease are increasing in children. Help your children, in addition to nutrition, to have restraint on the internet, television, video games, cell phone use, excessive sweets, bad words, etc.
The instructions of a spiritual father are necessary, who will determine the way of fasting in cases of illness, age, chronic medication, psychological disorders, pregnancy, breastfeeding and spiritual condition. A person who fasts never comes out of it at a loss, unless they do it out of egoism.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
It is worth remembering that Christ himself urges us to fast so that the devil may have no influence over our lives. The purpose of fasting is that it is a weapon to combat our passions, sinful inclinations and bad habits. Everyone in the Church, no matter what age they are, should try their best to be their best. Along with fasting from certain foods, we should also lessen or even eradicate bad habits, such as less cigarettes, less drinking, less junk food, less anger, less judgmentalism, etc. We do this by replacing them with the increase of virtuous living, such as more philanthropy, more patience, more humility, more prayer, more Holy Communion, etc.
Fasting strengthens a person spiritually and mentally because it teaches them to exercise restraint. Therefore, it is also beneficial for children. Every year in their youth they should slowly learn to fast more and more, so that they can have a stronger psychology, an enlightened mind, health and a sanctified soul in their lives. Fasting has never done any harm. On the contrary, today obesity, diabetes and heart disease are increasing in children. Help your children, in addition to nutrition, to have restraint on the internet, television, video games, cell phone use, excessive sweets, bad words, etc.
The instructions of a spiritual father are necessary, who will determine the way of fasting in cases of illness, age, chronic medication, psychological disorders, pregnancy, breastfeeding and spiritual condition. A person who fasts never comes out of it at a loss, unless they do it out of egoism.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
