29. О воздержании

The Church loves abstinence from wine and meat, as well as any other type of abstinence, not like heretics. For they legitimize abstinence from this as something vile; but the Church has not legitimized anything about this: it does not prohibit partaking of this either. That is why some fearlessly enjoy pleasures permitted by law, while others abstain. But none of the sane people condemn the eater, because both abstinence and communion are in the power of will, and monastic life is not forced, but spontaneous. And this we are taught by the apostolic laws; it is said: “let not a poisonous man rebuke him that eateth: and let not a poisonous man condemn him that eateth him” (Rom. 14:3); and again: “all things are pure, but evil is a stumbling block for anyone who eats” (Rom. 14:20). Condemning the wicked themselves for this, the Apostle wrote the following in his Epistle to Timothy: “The Spirit speaks clearly, that in the last times some will depart from the faith, heeding spiritual flattery and the teaching of demons, in the hypocrisy of false talkers, seared by their conscience, forbidding to marry, to withdraw from the things that God has created in consumed with thanksgiving by the faithful and those who know the truth. Because every creature of God is good, and nothing is considered, it is acceptable with thanksgiving: it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:1-5). And he commanded the Corinthians to eat “everything that is sold in the marketplace,... without hesitation, for conscience’ sake” (1 Cor. 10:25). And if any of the infidels invite you to a feast, he also commanded that you partake of what was offered without fear, unless someone informs you that some supplies were sacrificed to idols (1 Cor. 10:26-28). This divine man was so far from prohibiting the eating of meat. And the Lord Himself said about Himself: “The Son of man came, eating and drinking: and they say: Behold, a man of food and drink of wine, a friend of a publican and a sinner” (Matthew 11:19). And while he was celebrating the Passover, he ate the lamb with the disciples; and invited to the wedding, not only did not forbid drinking, but also miraculously produced wine for the feasters. Therefore, the divine dogmas clearly expose the error of the Encratites. The Church of God opposes heretical fables and follows divine dogmas. Therefore, I beg those who will read this scripture to compare the divine with each of these evil teachings and from comparison find out how far the lie is from the truth. For: “What fellowship does light have with darkness? What kind of agreement does Christ have with Belial” (2 Cor. 6:14-15)? That is truly an invention of the devil’s evil arts, and these are the dogmas of the Spirit of God, which one must always follow, unswervingly preserve the rule contained in them and according to it direct one’s soul in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom befit the Father and the All-Holy Spirit glory, honor and splendor, now and always and unto the ages of ages! Amen. You might be interested in: