www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Ascetics during Lent

During the Great Fast I feel called to perform ascetics and discipline my body over and above what is required by the Church. Any ideas? I do not have access to a spiritual Father�anyone have a similar call?

Odo

Dear Odo,

It is interesting that each year during Lent, one million whips used for self-flagellation are sold in Spain, and three million hair-shirts are sold.

We may actually use these, as long as we do not cut the skin, as Mother Church teaches . . .

Alex

It is possible to fast from things besides food. For example, in the 19th century in Russia it was not unusual for arts performances halls to go dark during Lent. Citizens fasted from sights and sounds of the arts. More recently, some have fasted from television or movies. I happen to be a musician part of the time, but I am fasting from performing and going to concerts during Lent. I continue to practice, however, because the skills are transitory, and not easily recoverable the older you get.

I feel almost embarrassed to write this (and I�m not sure why) but I do practise self-flagellation. I use a thick leather strap. This is the first time I have admitted to it to anyone, my wife doesn�t even know. The Internet does help to provide some privacy. I also use cold water in the same manner as the early Orthodox Celtic monks use to do. I do not have access to a stream so I fill the bathtub up with cold water and place as much ice in it as possible. I never go over board and hurt myself but before I became a Christian I was a chief sinner and into all manner of evil. Ascetics help to keep me focused on Christ and his sacrifice at the same time keeping me disciplined.

Dear Odo,

When Pope Paul VI died, they opened up his robes and discovered he wore a hairshirt . . .

Many great saints practiced what you do and the Celtic saints did indeed recite the Psalms in cold water, as did St Patrick.

St Francis once felt a temptation to sin and through himself naked on the thorns of a rosebush.

The thorns fell off, according to tradition, and the bush still grows without thorns, the only one of its kind in the world . . .

Working in politics as I do, I already have to deal with enough prigs . . .

Alex

Dear Jim,

The Kyivan Church actually forbade sex on all Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays - and continuously throughout Lent (Canons of St John II, Met. of Kyiv).

On the other hand, one could NOT, by force of canon law, refuse one's spouse a good romp in the hay or wherever during Easter Week . . .

And by that time, one is REALLY looking forward to it!

Who needs sex therapists when we have Holy Mother Church?

Alex

That might have more to with the cultural Catholicism of the Spanish Church. The Flagellents etc. It personally makes my skin crawl a bit

Dear Friends:

If you do not want to be NAILED, actually (not virtually), to a cross, please spare this Filipino (Roman) Catholic for any suggestions.

AmdG

Dear Brian,

In Russia, there were monks who wore heavy chains next to their skin that were just as uncomfortable as the hairshirts!

And if you were into self-flagellation, your skin WOULD be crawling . . .

Alex

Dear Amado,

You've made your point . . .

Alex

Alex,

I also remember being told that Russian Orthodox had also recommended abstinence from sex every Saturday evening, and on the eve of holy days. After all, communicants were expected to go to Vespers that evening, then Matins in the morning, make a good confession, and, only after all the above, receive communion.

There were also those who counselled not having icons facing into the bedroom where marital bliss occurred.

Have you ever been nailed to a cross?

Dear Odo,

It would seem that if one is going beyond the normal models of asketis, one should seek guidance from one who has gone down this path. Correspondence by email or telephone may be necessary substitutes for a local spiritual father.

All of the responses offered here seem like good advice, but there is nothing like having one dear and holy father or mother to consistently guide you.

Abstinence from all intentional sexual activity the evening prior to receiving the eucharist is prescribed by the canons. However, involuntary nocturnal emissions are actually excused if not out of lust for a woman, perhaps meaning dreams about any particular woman.

The canons are quite explicit and make good sense.

In Christ,
Andrew

Here are some things I read at the start of Lent each year to focus me. From the Desert Fathers, translated by Helen Waddell, 1936:

A brother asked an old man . . . "What . . . is there so good that I may do it and live?" And the old man said, "God alone knoweth what is good: yet I have heard that . . . Scripture saith that Abraham was hospitable, and God was with him. And Elias loved quiet, and God was with him. And David was humble and God was with him. What therefore thou findest that thy soul desirest in following God, that do, and keep thy heart (or be at peace)."

and

"Wherever thou goest, have God ever before thine eyes: in what thou dost, hold by the example of the Holy Scriptures:

and St. Seraphim of Sarov:

Prayer, fasting, vigils, and all other Christian practices, however good they may be in themselves, certainly do not constitute the aim of our Christian life: they are but the indispensable means of attaining it.

FOR THE TRUE AIM OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS THE ACQUISITION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.

As for fasts, vigils, prayer, and almsgiving, and other good works done in the name of Christ, they are only the means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God. Note well that it is only good works done in the name of Christ that bring us the fruits of the Spirit.

May the discipline of Lent bring each of my brothers and sisters in Christ in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches closer to God and increase the growth of each one in his relationship with Christ Our True God.

BOB

Interesting.