www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology St Philip's Fast

I don't know if a majority abide by these regulations (although I have my beliefs/experiences ). But, since a majority may not abide does that mean the "bar should be lowered"...or...should the bar be kept at a high level and encourage and educate them realizing that most will fall short at first...Let's be honest...in an attempt to stay with the topic...many in the BCC are not even aware of St. Philip's Fast much less abide by the fasting rules/regulations...

Job

This statement is absurd! On what grounds can you make this generalization? This is quite insulting.

As a member of the BCC for approximately 35 years, and former Candidate to the Priesthood for Passaic...from the numerous parishes I have visited and the large number of BCC clergy in Passaic and Parma I have worked with and befriended...(which is where the greatest number of BCC laity are found) that is true to my experiences...there are some in the BCC who know "of a fast before Christmas" but that doesn't begin until Dec. 15th????

Job

In the Van Nuys Eparchy, we have pastoral letters in our bulletin like the one I quoted earlier, that outline the guidelines for each fasting season and how to make it spiritually enriching. It would be hard for me to believe it is much different in the other BCC Eparchies.

For those members of the BCC who are ignorant of the Philip's fasting season please listen Here [byzantinecatholic.com] to Fr. Thomas Loya so that you may enlighten yourselves on the Eastern Tradition of the season.

Mike

Fr. Deacon Paul,

I don't see any disrespect at all. Let me give you what I think to be the typical Antiochian approach to this (and I could be wrong). I have always been told that the Church proposes the maximum we are to do and that we, in consultation with our spiritual fathers, ought to work toward that maximum. This may mean that one sets for oneself a minimum that is less than the maximum. Also, we need to bear in mind that the perfect keeping of the letter of the law can lead to pride. So, for example, my spiritual father and priest says that if you are eating at someone's house and they offer you food that is forbidden during the fast, then you eat the food and you be thankful for it (to not eat is uncharitable and a source of pride).

Now, I understand that some jurisdictions, such as ROCOR, are more strict and I've read articles by the "more strict" calling any break of the fast a sin and also saying that one should not, out of charity, break the fast. As far as I am concerned, that is their business and I think that each person must act according to his own conscience.

So, Father Deacon Paul, your point about being pharisaical is well taken. I think that we do need to be careful and we need to keep in mind that fasting isn't an end in itself, but rather a means and tool of disciplining the body and the mind. Oh, and I don't consider coffee to be breaking the fast (I consider it medication )

Joe

Oh, and one more thing I'll add: I do not think that it is any of my business what the BCC or any other Church proposes as fasting rules for its members. I think the whole project of comparing churches is quite dangerous because it can lead to pride and self-righteousness. Rather than looking into the affairs of other Churches, I do much better when I focus on the rules and traditions of my own Church and when I focus on being a disciple of Christ and not a judge of the brethren.

Joe

This is an excellent post!

I would also add further to your thoughts, that we should also focus on our own fasts and spiritual growth even within our own Church and jurisdictions.

Fasting can bring out the Pharisee in too many faithful.

Thanks again, dear Joe,
Alice

The typicon is easily understood - most jurisdictions produce calendars which may be easily followed.


'most likely due to Latin Rite influence'? I think we may omit 'most likely' there, for accuracy and honesty. The idea that a Traditional Fast is something one chooses to follow under the recommendation of a spiritual director is an idea that is repugnant to and abhorred by Eastern Christianity. The full Traditional Fast should be the norm, and any RELAXATION of it something to be done in consultation with one's spiritual director, not vice-versa.

Not necessarily, some Latinizations have less to do with the Latin rite and more to do with improperly thinking Eastern Hierarchs.


You're right, anything else is just a "joke"!

Dewi the following are the instructions for the traditional pre-Christmas fast (we don't say "Phillip's fast in Arabic):
- from 15 November until 12 December: fish may be eaten on weekends, wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays, strict fast on Wednesdays and Fridays;
- from 13 December: we go to the strict fast (as for Great Lent): wine and oil permitted on weekends, strict fast throughout the week.
There are, of course, a couple of feasts that make that day's fast relax a level or two.

"Strict fast" is interpreted as: no food from midnight until noon, and complete abstention (i.e., xerophagy; no meat or meat products, no eggs, no milk or cheese or dairy products, no fish, no wine or alcoholic drinks, no oil.

However, this may not be the method of fasting following by all parishioners, nor that promoted by the bishop. The Melkite synod in Ain Trad (late 1800's) defined a simplified fast, which starts 10 December, has fasting until noon during the week, and abstains only from meat and meat products until 24 December. (The Paramony of the Nativity, 24 December, is always a day of fast and strict abstinence.) The bishops recommended keeping the traditional fast where possible.

In a series of synodical decisions from 1949 - 1954, the bishops were granted the power to define fasting norms for their own eparchies.

As to how it's practised. Well, those in my parishes here, and family and friends in Egypt all keep the Great Fast, and most strictly. Most will also keep the Dormition Fast and strictly. Very few seem to keep the Apostles Fast, although the Copts will keep it strictly. There appear to be fewer who keep the entire Nativity Fast than those who keep the Dormition Fast. That said, there are still many who keep them all strictly, many more who keep a simplified form, and of course the monks who fast all the time.

Alice, good point and thank you for your kind reply. God bless.

Joe

Matta, thank you very much.

To all,

If put into a healthy perspective, this forum presents a good learning experience...to hear of various cultural traditions.

Regardless of the particular Church we have all been adversely affected by this pervasive American consumerism and lack of sacrifice. How many Christians will forsake (pre)Christmas parties because of the fast?

The fasting customs present various ideas which we can ponder; then the Holy Spirit can direct us to the "best" fast (together with a spiritual director.) With such direction we are sure to accept more than the minimum requirement, barring health consequences.

With all due respect to all my brethren here, may I be so bold as to mention the positive side of fasting. While we are careful what we put into our mouths, we should also be more aware of what comes out, as the Lord reminds us that what comes out is a reflection of the heart. As two of the verses from the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:12-13) that I particularly like say: " . . . even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is He, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment." Also Hosea 6:6 "For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice," NAB

And didn't our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, say that it is better to eat flesh than to backbite our brethren? And doesn't St. Paul admonish us about arguments over this very type of thing?

It seems to me that each of us is called to do what the Lord has given us to do where He has placed us. That may vary; in fact it does. And it seems to me we are placed like the laborers in the Vineyard. Some He has called to greater labor for Him than others. Why He has done this is beyond me. But it is what it is.

Let us, in the gracious spirit that animates this particular forum, encourage one another as we approach the Winter Pascha. This feast reminds us of the single statement that sums up the entire Faith: God became man so that man might become like God. And what a challenge that is: to stretch ourselves to be more patient, more kind, more merciful, more forgiving, more able to bear wrongs gladly for His sake, more willing to be the first to ask for forgiveness, more willing to be the first to admit our failings, more willing to think of our brethren as ourselves--to be like God, other-directed.

Thank God for this time when the world is so focused on all the opposite behaviors.

In Christ,

BOB

Well said, Bob!

Many times fasting is actually joyful. Each time we feel tempted to eat is a call to prayer. And prayer leads to peace...and peace to joy.