The Holy Great Fast
Fasting in the orthodox church
Fasting is a biblical practice followed by the prophets, Christ Himself and His disciples, and continued by the church fathers, the desert fathers, and the whole church as one body.
“I humbled myself with fasting” (Ps 35:13)
“I wept and chastened my soul with fasting” (Ps 109:24)
“In labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings” (2 Cor 11:27)
When we fast, we find beauty in controlling ourselves from such a basic urge. During fasting periods, we deny our bodies the satisfaction of excessive flavor, heavily involved meals, and overeating. All forms of animal products including dairy, meat, and poultry are avoided. During first degree fasts such as Jonah’s fast and the Great Fast, seafood is also avoided, and we abstain from eating for some time in the day. Fortunate is the person who utilizes this practice of restraint in combination with prayer. Truly prayer and fasting are a powerful tool against the devil that can bring forth spiritual fruit beyond what you may have ever thought possible.
the history of the great fast
The Great Fast is observed in commemoration of the forty-day fast of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 4:2; Lk. 4:2), after which the church observes Holy Week in memory of Christ's passion. This fast has been observed by the church ever since the apostolic age. According to the Constitutions of the Holy Fathers: ". . . the Great Fast is to be observed by you as containing a memorial of our Lord's mode of life and legislation. But let this solemnity be observed before the fast of the Passover. . . . After which . . . begin the holy week of the Passover fasting in the same all of you with fear and trembling . . ." (Constitutions 5.18, p. 443).
In the early church, the Great Fast began on the day after the feast of Epiphany, in imitation of Christ, who fasted immediately after His baptism (Mt. 3:16, 4:2; Lk. 4:1,2). Holy Week was observed as a separate fast to coincide with the Jewish Passover, occurring sometime between the two months of Baramhat and Baramudah of the Coptic calendar. Toward the end of the second century, however, Pope Demetrius I established the epact system of computation, and joined the holy fast to Pascha Week, as one continuous and uninterrupted period of fasting prior to the celebration of the Resurrection.
Throughout the Great Fast, the liturgy is celebrated on weekdays between the ninth canonical hour (3 pm) and the eleventh canonical hour (5 pm). The Great Fast through Holy Week lasts for a total of fifty-five fasting days, i.e.: an introductory week for preparation in recognition of the significance of the Great Fast, the forty days that Jesus Christ fasted, and Holy Week as the final week of the fast.
Another interpretation, however, has been suggested regarding this introductory week, given by church historians Jirjis ibn al-‘Amid and Abu-Shakir ibn al-Rahib ibn-Butrus ibn al-Muhadhdhab (thirteenth century). They explain that an additional week was added by the church to account for the different degree of fasting on Saturdays and Sundays. That is, unlike the weekdays, fasting on these two days should not be in total abstinence until the eleventh hour (5 pm), with the exception of Bright Saturday, on which the Body of Jesus Christ was still lying in the grave. To make up for these non-abstaining days, a week was thus added to the beginning of the Great Fast.
Basilios, Archbishop. “Fasting”. Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia. Claremont Graduate University: School of Religion.
Spiritual Application
Overview
When the fast makes its appearance, like a kind of spiritual Spring, let us as soldiers polish our weapons, and as harvesters sharpen our sickles, and as sailors order our thoughts against the waves of extravagant desires; as travelers set out on the journey towards heaven, and as wrestlers prepare for the contest. For the believer is at once a harvester, a sailor, a soldier, a traveler, and a wrestler. Sharpen your sword and your sickle, which have been blunted by gluttony, sharpen them by fasting. Lay hold of the pathway which leads towards heaven, rugged and narrow as it is. Lay hold of it, and journey on.
St. John Chrysostom
The season of the Great Fast was prepared for us by our mother the church with great wisdom. If taken advantage of, we can really use it to build or rebuild our spiritual lives. The Great Fast is the storehouse of spirituality for the whole year.
Bishop Suriel
The Great Fast is a time of almsgiving, showing mercy and love toward those in need, so that God may have mercy on us who are also in need. It is meant to be a journey, where the destination is union with God. This means that the GOAL of the Great Fast is not to obtain virtues. Rather, the goal is for me to grow closer to God, and while doing so I will also naturally grow in virtue through God’s mercy and grace.
VERY IMPORTANT: Speak with your spiritual guide and come up with a canon you can stick to.
It is necessary to plan out your goals and the path you will take if you wish to benefit from this journey. Also, although we should give an honest effort toward growing spiritually, we shouldn’t forget that we are simply laborers and God is the one who will provide the fruit of our labors.
Things to seek guidance about
- Prayer rule
- Bible rule
- Prostrations
- How long to abstain from eating
- Quiet time with God
- Spiritual readings
- Virtues to work on and/or habits to quit
the journey
Week 1. Preparation Week - Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-33)
The journey begins from within, “go into your room”, search inside yourself. Look inwardly and see what is happening in your life. Close the door that leads you to death, and that is the corruption and immorality that is in the world. Spend time with God alone, in solitude, worship Him and prepare for your journey.
Bishop Suriel
During this week, we are working to let go of what will hold us down during this journey. We are emptying ourselves from the love of the world so that we have room to allow Christ to enter. We are preparing ourselves so that on Sunday we can truly live the first gospel with the church by laying up treasures in Heaven and not on earth; seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Spiritual exercise
This week, let’s find something or some things, however small, that we’ve been wanting to let go of. Let’s decide to dedicate this Great Fast to working on overcoming them with God’s mercy and His grace. Let’s take that first step into the journey and leave our nets behind us.
Week 2. Temptation Week - Christ tempted on the Mount (Matthew 4:1-11)
If Satan had the courage to even tempt Our Lord, then how much more careful must we be? We, who are weak and made of dust must use all of the spiritual means that God has given to us to protect ourselves from the enemy in order to be able to overcome him. Sometimes we just let him take over completely and destroy us, we let evil thoughts enter our minds and enjoy them until they come to fruition. Look at how our Lord answered Satan each time, “It is written…” The word of God frightens Satan and protects us like a fortified city. We must put on the whole armor of God as Saint Paul also reminds us by saying, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
Bishop Suriel
For this week, we must understand that the devil is coming after us like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The church prepares this week’s theme early on to remind us that even Christ Himself was tempted, and by using scripture, He was triumphant over Satan. So do not lose heart!
Spiritual exercise:
Pick a verse from the Bible, and recall it whenever you are tempted to fall back toward what you have left behind. One such verse could be “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Week 3. Repentance Week - The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
This is the gospel of repentance and the return to God. In this parable Our Lord Jesus Christ shows to us the low level that Satan wants to place us in. It is the level of desiring to eat of the pods of the swine. Satan rejoices in seeing the sons of God perishing and under his control, and not having the power to rise. He wants to keep them living in evil, wallowing in sin. The clever son, as we sometimes call the prodigal son, did not rely on his own power. He came to himself and realized his weak state and received power from Christ Who gave him the strength to return and repent and live a life of holiness. He would in no way ever think of returning back to this evil state; this is true repentance. We must learn from this clever son, who knew the way of life and continued in it without return. Another important lesson that we can learn from this parable is never to allow Satan to make us believe that there is no hope. He will attempt to sell this idea to us, and say to us, “How can you ever think of going to church or meeting your confession father while you are leading such a wretched life? Just wait until things improve.” You must realize that your situation will not improve unless you repent and confess your sins to God and to your confession father, who will give you the absolution as God’s steward.
Bishop Suriel
For this week, we need to understand that we will fall. Regardless of that fact, we need to always return to God through repentance. Repentance is a habit-forming practice of renewing our minds and returning back to our earlier dedication to godliness.
Spiritual exercise:
Let us start to form this habit of continual renewal and speedy recovery after falling. There are huge blessings in the very act of repentance itself. So, quickly get back to your father of confession, and get accustomed to not letting sins linger for very long.
Week 4. The Week of the Holy Gospel - The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42)
Verses 13 and 14 in this passage are words that we need to place in front of our eyes on a daily basis and always come back to them. Where do we obtain our nourishment from? Many obtain it from resources that do not satisfy and fulfil. This woman was an example of this, as she searched for a false unfulfilling nourishment in the pleasures of this world, and she was never satisfied with her sinful life. Since she was searching in the wrong place, that is why she could not comprehend what Our Lord Jesus Christ was telling her at first. Water that completely satisfies you and fountains springing up to everlasting life? Yes, she could not understand this, until she realized that she was talking with the Messiah, the Savior of the world. He is the One Who can grant true nourishment. The Word of God is our source of nourishment and satisfaction. It is only when the Samaritan woman realized this that she was able to lead others also to be nourished by the Logos, the source of all goodness and life, Christ, our life and hope.
Bishop Suriel
By this week, we have come to a point where we are starting to taste of the sweet joy of repentance. It may be cyclical, but as we have mentioned before, it is habit-forming and comforting to return back to Christ and to taste of the everlasting water that leads to life. However, it is also a great joy that moves us toward sharing with others around us.
Spiritual exercise:
Let us work toward sharing the love and joy of Christ with others through acts of mercy and almsgiving. Find those around you who are needy, just like you are, and show them compassion so that God may continue to show compassion toward us.
Week 5. The Week of Faith - Healing the Paralytic (John 5:1-18)
”These words, ‘I have no man,’ ring very loudly today, as there are millions of people around the world who cannot find someone to show them the way, the way to salvation and repentance in Christ Jesus Our Lord. Will you be someone that can stretch out their hands in love to someone who is in need of being healed from sin that cripples one’s feelings, actions and thoughts? Sin does disable us, and makes us not want to move or walk towards God. Baptism washes away sin and gives us a new beginning and a new life in Christ. It is the washing of regeneration, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit we become consecrated to God. We become His, His special people who are devoted to Him.
Bishop Suriel
This week we are learning how crippled we became from sin. It is necessary to feel the liberating feeling of repentance before we can realize how crippled we really were due to sin. Additionally, this week shows us how we should also care for the salvation of others and have an eye of compassion to help others. Many of the church fathers teach us that we cannot be saved alone. So, we are taught an important fact about Christianity: it is a communal life where we all support one another to reach our Goal, Who is Christ our Savior.
Spiritual exercise:
Let’s dedicate this week toward finding a spiritual friend to support, and in turn, to be supported by; a spiritual sibling we can be held accountable to and can hold accountable to remaining dedicated and steadfast in our spiritual lives. There truly is no friendship that can compare to spiritual friendship.
Week 6. Baptism Week - The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)
“I was blind and now I see.” This is the Sunday of spiritual enlightenment, the Sunday of Baptism. Baptism is washing or dyeing, a complete immersion. It is death and resurrection with Christ. This Baptism is renewed through repentance and confession, where a person can receive remission of sins.
Bishop Suriel
This week the church teaches us about spiritual enlightenment. When a person dwells in the spiritual life for some time, they begin to see things differently. Their vision becomes sharp toward the contrast between a careless and sinful life without restraint, and a purposeful and joyous life of spiritual purity and vigilance.
Spiritual exercise:
Let us start to recognize the differences between the two lives that we are constantly being tossed toward and back away from. As we practice repentance and purification of our hearts, let us go further by sharpening our senses so that we may see clearly and choose life over death, wisdom over blindness.
week 7. The week of triumph - the entry into jerusalem (matthew 21:1-17)
The gospel that this week is leading toward is the gospel of the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. This week ends the Great Fast season. The readings throughout this final week are leading us to the goal we were all aiming to reach throughout the Great Fast: the entry of Christ into our hearts as our King.
However, our fasting is not over yet. We should remember that Christ entered Jerusalem in preparation for His own crucifixion. We are joyful over His entry, but we are also preparing to be crucified with Him so that He can utterly put to death our sins.
Spiritual exercise:
During this week, ask God to enter into your heart and to rule over it wholly as King. Ask Him to complete this Great Fast as a triumphant journey toward letting go of what has been holding us back, so that we can fully live as one with Him in His crucifixion and in His glorious Resurrection.
Rites changes for the great fast
Weekdays
The rites of the weekdays of the Great Fast are the same as the rites of Jonah’s Fast with the exception of the doxology specific to weekdays of the Great Fast, the gospel response, and Psalm 150 response
Weekends
During Matins
The Verses of Cymbals that are specific to the Great Fast are chanted
The doxology that is specific to weekends of the Great Fast is chanted
The Great Fast Gospel response is chanted
During the Divine Liturgy
The 3rd and 6th canonical hours of the Book of Hours are prayed
The offertory psalm “Alleluia. The thought of man…” is chanted
The hymn “The Golden Censer…” is chanted after the Absolution of the Servants
The praxis response “Remember me O my Lord…” is chanted before the reading of the Acts
After the reading of the Synaxarion, the hymn “The Great High Priest…” is chanted
After the chanting of “The Great High priest…”, the Parallax is chanted, followed by "Holy God..." and the litany of the Gospel
Hymns
Verses of Cymbals
Our Lord Jesus Christ, fasted for us forty days and forty nights to save us from our sins.
And we too let us fast, with purity and righteousness, and let us pray, proclaiming and saying:
Our Father Who art in Heaven hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, for Thine is the glory forever.
doxology
Your mercies O my Lord I will praise, forever and ever, and from generation to generation, I will declare Your truth out of my heart.
My iniquities have covered my head, and have overburdened me, O God hear my sighs, and cast them away from me.
Make me like the publican, who has sinned against You. You had compassion upon him, and forgave him his sins.
Make me like the adulteress, whom You have redeemed. You have saved and rescued her, for she pleased you.
Make me like the thief, who was crucified upon Your right hand, he confessed to You, and likewise said.
“Remember me O my Lord, remember me O my God, remember me O my King, when You come into Your kingdom.”
For You O my Savior, have accepted his confession. You were compassionate to him, and sent him to Paradise.
Likewise I the sinner, Jesus my true King and God, have compassion upon me, and make me as one of them.
For I know that You are good, compassionate and patient, remember me in Your mercy, forever and ever.
I ask You O my Lord Jesus, do not destroy me in Your anger, and likewise also in Your wrath, do not chasten me for my ignorance.
For You do not desire the death of a sinner, rather he returns and lives. Have pity upon my weakness, and do not look at me in anger.
I have sinned O Jesus my Lord, I have sinned O Jesus my God. O King do not count the sins, which I have committed.
I ask You O my Savior, let Your mercies come to me, and save me from the troubles, that come to my soul.
Do not send me to the fire, for my ignorance like Sodom, and likewise do not destroy me, like Gomorrah.
But O my Lord deal with me, like the people of Nineveh, those who have repented, and You forgave them their sins.
But may Your mercies, come unto me quickly, that I may proclaim with those people, with an unceasing voice.
Wherefore I entreat You, O Lord God my Savior. Do not judge me, I the weak and sinful.
But rather absolve and remit, my many iniquities, as the Good One and Lover of man, have mercy upon us according to Your great mercy.
offertory psalm
Alleluia. The thought of man shall confess You, O Lord, and the remainder of thought shall keep a feast to You. The sacrifices and the offerings, receive them to Yourself. Alleluia.
the golden censer
The golden censer is the Virgin, her aroma is our Savior. She gave birth to Him; He saved us and forgave us our sins.
acts response
Remember me O my Lord, remember me O my God. Remember me O my King, when You come into Your Kingdom.
the great high priest
The great High Priest, undefiled forever. Holy God.
According to the order of Melchizedek, perfect. Holy Mighty.
You became incarnate of the Holy Spirit and of the holy Virgin Mary. Great is the mystery. Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Parallax
Our Lord Jesus Christ, fasted for us, forty days and forty nights, to save us from our sins.
And we too let us fast, with purity and righteousness, and let us pray, proclaiming and saying:
“I have sinned, I have sinned. My Lord Jesus, forgive me. For there is no servant without sin, nor master without forgiveness.”
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, for Thine is the glory forever.
gospel response
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. They kingdom come, for Thine is the glory forever.
Blessed be the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The perfect Trinity. We worship Him and glorify Him.