Fasting in Our Church System

About #Fasting (Part 4) In our church system, fasting is divided into three parts, namely: 1. Proclamation Fasting (Associational Fasting): This type of fasting is a mandatory fast that every Christian must observe. It is a fast that the church proclaims to all believers to fast for a specific time and for a known reason, and believers fast according to the proclamation. 2. Repentance Fasting: Repentance fasting is a type of fasting that people who have wronged God and fallen into sin observe when they repent of their wrongdoing, confess their sins to their spiritual guide, and fast under their guidance. 3. Voluntary Fast (Private Fast): This type of fast is observed by some sincere Christians who are devoted to God. They fast privately (in secret) without letting others know about it (without displaying pharisaical behavior) in order to receive more grace and blessings from their Creator. In this way, many voluntarily fast year after year, eating only enough to stay alive. The Seven Fasts According to the canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, there are seven laws of fasting. They are: Major Lent (Fasting of Jesus) Fasting of Nineveh Fasting of Gad Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays Fasting of the Prophets Fasting of the Apostles Fasting of the Migration (Fasting of Maryam) The duration of fasting during these fasting seasons is determined by spiritual justice. For example, Wednesdays and Fridays are fasted until nine o'clock, during the first week of Lent until twelve o'clock, from Holy Monday to Nicodemus Friday until eleven o'clock, and during Semune Passion until one o'clock in the afternoon (or for a total of 13 hours). (Source: Zena Church newspaper, 50th year, No. 146, May 1988) We use the term "personal fasting of the will" to refer to private fasting, while the term "fasting of the decree" refers to the legal fast that is a spiritual duty of all Christians. However, this does not conflict with the fact that we worship God as we please. We should understand that human beings are creatures with free will to do what they like and leave what they dislike. The decree fasts are known to everyone, as the name itself indicates that the proclamation fasts are for a specified number of days and until a certain time of the day. Therefore, even if those who are fasting publicly declare that they are fasting, their praise will not be in vain. In fact, they are considered to have preached that it is the season of fasting and that all Christians should fast. This is one of the differences between public and private fasts. When a person fasts privately, no one should know about it except his penitent father and himself. Therefore, it is preferable for a person who voluntarily fasts with a personal purpose and decision to be careful not to expose himself to vain praise. Until the end of his fast, he should enter a monastery, close himself in a cave, and fast while communicating with God in complete inspiration and silence. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "When ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men too fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." The scholars of the church teach that this teaching refers to voluntary fasting instead of public fasting. (Matthew 6:16) About Fasting (Part 5) When we fast, we should not do it to show others, but rather to please God. However, even if we don't talk about our fast during the proclamation of the fast, it is still known that we are fasting because the church has proclaimed it and we are part of the church. Even if it is known to others, our praise will not be in vain unless we seek it or do it intentionally. During fasting, we should seek guidance from the fathers who teach us about the heavenly realm and the Gospel. We should also avoid spending time with friends who encourage us to indulge in the desires of the flesh, as well as foods, drinks, situations, and places that arouse the desires of the flesh. Our God, who is the creator of all laws and blessings, told the people of Israel the proper way to fast, "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:7) In addition to this, the phrase "to cut your bread for the hungry" indicates that fasting should be accompanied by giving to those in need. When God reprimanded the Israelites who fasted without keeping the fast, He said, "Behold, on the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high." (Isaiah 58:3-6) When we fast, we should avoid wrongdoing and seek spiritual blessings. Some contemporaries, who are more concerned with their physical bodies than their souls, claim to know that since the Lord has commanded us to fast, He has not specified the time and place for us to fast. However, we listen to the apostles and teachers based on what our Lord Jesus Christ said to the apostles, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) We are guided by the Holy Spirit and accept the guidelines for fasting, eating, praying, and following the church's decision. "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) We follow the system that the apostles and righteous fathers have written for us. May the Holy God's name be praised forever and ever in every language that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of the Holy Mother of God, the Virgin, and the Cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance