Why we Fast as Orthodox Christians

Fasting is always a conversation amongst Orthodox Christians, "cradle born" and converts alike. But if we try to deepen our understanding and need for it and its origins, then it would be something we all look forward to and are grateful for. So lets break down somethings that may help us in embracing it.

First, lets address the idea that fasting is somehow associated with earning merit with God. Unlike our Catholic brothers and sisters, we do not believe fasting or any good work/deed can be "banked" in the form of indulgences. Acts done beyond the strict demands of God cannot earn merit. It is done for the benefit of oneself and ideally, secretly.

We do have fixed days for fasting (Wednesday and Friday of every week) as well as moveable periods, and periods where we do not fast at all. The Church has prescribed fasting in the Didache from the 1st and 2nd century and has continued this practice until this day. The Didache was born from the decision of the church as whole in those times, not the isolated opinion of one writer. This also included the fast before Pascha. St Irenaeus in his letter to Pope St. Victor 1 (about 195 AD) says the custom of fasting before easter was long standing, "it has not originated in our time, but long before in the time of our ancestors" he says. That means it was long standing before 195 AD!

Now to the question of why we fast, which can be answered in several way. To be obedient is one. Jesus fasted, and so did St. Paul who wrote, "Become imitators of me, as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11-1)

To show repentance. Samuel told the people of Israel to repent, so they fasted. (1 KG 7:6) and confessed. Ahab fasted and repented and wore sackcloth, and by humbling himself avoided punishment from God.

For mourning. Christ says his followers will fast because of mourning (for Him)

To receive answers to prayers. David fasted in an attempt to save his sick son, and there are many other examples of this.

It is a service to God. "The prophetess Anna did not depart from the temple, serving with fasts and petitions night and day." (Lk 2:37)

St Polycarp urges fasting for those praying to avoid temptation,

Can we be Christians without fasting?? Christ does not agree with that statement. He doesn't agree that your prayers are just as effective without fasting, as He shows the apostles who couldn't expel a certain demon. He also assumed that his people would fast. He said after He departed this world, His disciples will fast, not maybe they would fast. He said, "When you fast", not "if you fast".

What about apostolic cannon (#69) that says those who do not keep that fasts, have fallen away from the faith. Well, the Christian life is a struggle against the temptations, and the Church from its very beginnings considered fasting as a necessary aid in fighting them. "Fasting, therefore. should always be understood as most necessary for our battle with the evil one. Only a man who has lost his mind would put down his weapons, strip himself naked, and then jump into the line of fire to do battle with the enemy. Such a one would be committing suicide. A man who calls himself a Christian and does not fast, is such a man." (HTM Monastery in Orthodox Witness #199.

The beloved St Patrick (his cannon 29) says at a local church council, that no one could be baptized without first having kept the 40 day fast (before Pascha). Fasting is a preparation for receiving the mysteries! Acts 13:3 tells us of fasting and praying before the ordination of two men. And we also observe fasting, and extra prayers are said in preparation for receiving Holy Communion, as well as Great Holy Water, and we fast to take Antidoron!

I could go on and on with examples as to the question "why", but as noted above, it is needed, we are commanded, and we should run to it as a refuge from the onslaught of temptations, not only the ones hurled at us by society, but by the manifold temptations we bring upon ourselves in our negligence. So, let us meditate on these few examples given here, and find a few of our own examples to hold onto as we approach the Great Fast this year, as well as all of the fasts, so that they may be fruitful to us and help us bring forth true, fruits of repentance.