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1. Fasting on Wednesday and Friday is enough. Strive more to organize thoughts and feelings Fasting on Wednesday and Friday is enough. There is no need to add anything else to this. Put more effort into organizing your thoughts and feelings. It is enough to keep the body in abstinence (1, p. 73). 2. Fasting children, if health does not allow, is not necessary. Fasting children, if health does not allow it, is not necessary. But it’s a pity that, having gotten used to it from childhood, they won’t get used to the post later (1, pp. 73–74). 3. The beneficial meaning of fasting I also congratulate you on the beginning of your soul-saving fast. Great good is this time. God, through the Holy Church, beneficially established it for us, weak, unable and unable to fast well all the time of our lives, although we realize that all of it, not excluding a moment, must belong to the Lord and be turned to His glory. This is due to the very creation of us, and even more so due to redemption, in which we are bought at a price beyond price, which is why we should not belong to ourselves, but to the one who bought us, who, by virtue of this, became our Master, legally demanding that we betray ourselves to Him and not bring other masters upon us, who, due to our oversight, are innumerable (2, p. 211). 4. Anyone who wants to meet the Lord can achieve this only through fasting labors Behold, the preparatory weeks for fasting began and at the very beginning - Meeting, which very significantly indicates that those who wish to meet the Lord can achieve this only through fasting labors, publican humility, sincere repentance at the direction of the prodigal, the memory of the Last Judgment, weeping about the fall in Adam and about their own sins and crying: “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy me! Please stand at the beginning of this path, look all over it into the distance... and then decide, to the best of your ability, to walk it, as the Lord desires (2, pp. 217-218). 5. Congratulations on Pentecost. Attitude towards services and communion during Lent I congratulate you on the Holy Pentecost. Help you, Lord, to spend it in good health and for the salvation of your soul. You can serve all services at home with bows... and on Saturday and Sunday go to mass (3, p. 65). 6. About behavior during fasting You can pray at home without going to church. When fasting, it’s good to force yourself. And on other weeks you can pray at home, just go to the Presanctified. And at home you can read the sequences as expected, or you can get away with bows alone (3, p. 76). On the eve of Lent!.. We heard: open the doors of repentance!.. The All-merciful Lord again stands at His open doors with open arms. Let us fall into His arms and weep before the Lord, who created us and arranges our salvation in every possible way through His providential actions for us (3, p. 82). Regarding food during treatment: you can take it as prescribed by doctors, not to please the flesh, but as an aid to a speedy recovery, meaning that after recovery you will be more strict with this matter, with food, i.e. You can also observe this strictness when taking fast food, namely, take it in smaller quantities. But although this is possible, however, those who abstain and keep a fast during fasts, although weak, do better, as I advise you... They refused the operation, and it turned out better; It will be better if you refuse here too, out of fear of God. All food is healthy, as long as it is not spoiled, but fresh and healthy... How the elders of God lived for more than a hundred years, eating only bread and water (3, p. 124). 9. Abstaining from passions is better than all medicines Abstinence from passions is better than all medicines, and it gives long life (3, p. 124). 10. Health does not depend on food, but on the favor of God Not from food alone does one’s belly... or health, but from God’s blessing, which always overshadows one who surrenders himself to the will of God when he encounters hardships on the path of fulfilling God’s commandments (3, p. 125). 11. The meaning of fasting in spiritual life You congratulated me on the New Year, and I congratulate you on your fast. The words are different, but the deed is the same, for whoever does everything that is done during holy fasting as it should, will truly enter a new year of life. This is what I wish for you. You, of course, have been new for a long time; but our news is such that it often requires updating. We flow along the path of life among rags, which under our feet, and on our sides, and in front, and behind, and above, and below, and from within, and from without, envelop us and crowd us, and it is very difficult or impossible for any of them not to stick and remain on us and in us, just as it is impossible for someone walking along a high road not to get dusty. So the merciful Lord arranged a fast for us, which is, on the one hand, a review, or inspection, where there are any specks of dust and rags, on the other hand, a bathhouse for washing everything that is old, nondescript, and dirty, so that, having gone through both, we would appear new, clean, and pleasing to God and people, like a tree in spring, again covered with leaves and flowers. I wish you all this from my heart (4, pp. 24–25). 12. About spiritual and physical fasting Where did they find such a charter about fasting? Where spiritual fasting is spoken of, it is not mentioned that there is no need to worry about bodily fasting, you can do without it, and it is only reminded not to limit yourself to bodily fasting alone. Great Lent and the Assumption are significant, but one cannot conclude from this that other fasts can be turned into non-fasts. One must be completely correct in the church charter, without reservations (4, p. 58). 13. Fasting - not eating enough, so that neither the thought nor the heart is burdened Fasting is not to eat your fill, but to leave yourself a little hungry, so that neither your thoughts nor your heart are burdened (4, pp. 67–68). Having worked hard to fast, you give yourself consolation. This is par for the course. Only there is less carnal consolation, and more spiritual. And the carnal should be spiritualized through thanksgiving, measured proportions, and spiritual understanding. That's what you seem to be doing. In the general course of your life, you see yourself surrounded by God’s mercies more than others - and thank the Lord. Good! This thanksgiving is a strengthening of the possession of these mercies. Move from the joyful to the expectation of the sorrowful - and also get ready to give thanks, for everything comes from the Lord for our eternal good (4, p. 121). 15. Fasting and fasting life are the best means to preserve health The type of food in restoring strength is a secondary matter... The main thing is fresh (unspoiled) food, clean air... and most of all peace of mind. Restlessness of spirit and passions spoil the blood and significantly harm health. Fasting and a fasting life in general is the best means for maintaining health and prospering it (4, pp. 153–154). 16. Instructions for fasting Happy post! Help you, Lord, to see him through in a soul-saving way. Don't impose too much. There is not enough strength to fulfill obedience and fulfill the rule. Everything in moderation. Pay more attention to the inner and more strictly analyze everything that happens there, in the light of the word of God with paternal instructions. A small crookedness there threatens with great disaster (4, p. 203). 17. Instructions for a strict faster about reducing fasting Nowhere is it written to take on too much of a post without a special need. Fasting is an external matter. It must be undertaken at the request of inner life. What need do you have for such excessive fasting? And so you eat little by little. The measure that has already been established could be maintained during Lent. And then you always have Lent. And then we have to spend whole days without food?! This could have been done in the week when they were preparing to receive Holy Communion. Why languish yourself like this all through Lent? And they would have to eat a little every day. Your thought would always consider you a eater and a drinker, but now, it’s true, it dignifies you - and you have to fight. Sometimes the pleasure of one’s achievement will burst through, and for this God’s punishment follows, usually manifested by a decrease in warmth and composure. In view of this evil, I cannot call your fasting good. Bring it in moderation. On this Pentecost, keep the table according to the rules or in relation to them. And for the rest of the time, lighten your fast. You don't need one like that at all. I'm very sorry for you; but I say this about fasting not out of pity, but out of confidence that it will not be of particular benefit to you, and self-delusion is close - a great and great misfortune (4, p. 205)! A witty self-starter and stubborn in everything! You don't want to listen to anything. Well, live as you want. This trashy poem of yours will not lead to good. There are already the beginnings of self-delusion, but you don’t see it. Look what you write: “I’m not what I was before.” This is called self-conceit. You continue to say: “And don’t even speak against a trip to Voronezh and Zadonsk - I won’t listen.” This is called self-will. Finally, about prayer, that “you had better pray this way and that way.” This means following your tastes. From these three: self-will, self-will and conceit, the destructive spirit of delusion is formed. It is in your beginnings; but if you are not careful and continue to act in the same order, it will grow and destroy you. And it's all the poem's fault! It sticks out on you - completely out of place (4, pp. 206–207). Who is against fasting? Fasting is one of the first deeds of a monk and a Christian. But one cannot help but rebel against immoderate fasting. This one is harmful. Only empty rumor excites outside and vanity inside. Your old women are truly grumbling: here we have an ascetic who eats only prosphora and doesn’t light a fire. And you are even stronger and stronger. They talk about trifles, but in you they give rise to the worm of vanity and a high opinion of yourself: “I’m not the same now.” Your tongue sometimes speaks humble speeches, but it lies in your heart that you have already risen high and, as a matter of fact, have surpassed everyone. It always happens that way. If you start focusing on external achievements, you will immediately fall into spiritual pride. And let the enemy get away with it. Well, mother, add more, add more. And mother with all her might! He thinks that he pleases God, but in reality he amuses the enemy and inflates and expands the boil of vanity. I am writing to you all this unsweetened information because of the danger you are in. Look around and, while there is time, fix the matter. It seems to you that I want to fatten you up. Not at all. I would like to direct you to a moderate post that would keep you in humble feelings. Otherwise you won’t know where you’ll end up. Talk about this with anyone you want, they will all say the same thing. It doesn’t take long for your inner being to be distorted by the unreasonable outside, but it won’t take long to get it right again – you won’t get it right all of a sudden. This bad feeling will begin to deepen within you that you are no longer what you were before; warmth, tenderness and contrition will begin to diminish. When the heart grows cold, then what? Beware of this. The path of humble, moderate action is the most reliable (4, p. 207). I repeat again: who is against fasting? But break the fast, and at least leave the other. This is yours. And I consider him this way not for his own sake, but because he leads you into doubt about how your entire last letter was fulfilled. So one cannot help but rebel against him as the reason for such a dangerous mood of spirit. Fasting itself is blessed. Eating less and sleeping less is a good thing. Still, it is necessary in moderation. And besides, the soul must be protected by deep humility. Writing the way he wrote, he had one thing in mind - to arouse in you caution and vigilant observation of the enemy’s suggestions, which he knows how to approach so skillfully that you won’t even notice. He will begin with subtle thoughts and lead to great deeds of his kind. Look, for the Lord's sake, be ashamed of yourself. May the Lord help you to become more deeply established in feelings of self-abasement and humility (4, p. 208)! Congratulations on your holy fast. Bless you, Lord, to see him off in a soul-saving way. Yes, look, don’t upset your health. If you don't feed the horse, you'll be unlucky. Of course, you must wish that what you started never changes and turns into the law of life. Physical feats are convenient for us because the body can get used to anything. Until he gets used to it, he screams, and when he gets used to it, he becomes silent. This is the limit of work on the body. The body is an obedient slave, but it needs to be trained. Well, school, only in moderation. Labor on the soul has no end (4, p. 223). 18. About the purpose of fasting and free fasting Regarding fasting, act with complete freedom, applying everything to the main goal. When to make it heavier, when to make it lighter, depending on your need. Fasting is not a goal, but a means. It is better not to bind oneself in this regard with an unchanging decree, as if with bonds, and when it is this way, when it is different, only without benefits and self-pity, but also without cruelty, leading to exhaustion (4, p. 228). 19. To what extent is fasting important? You're all messing around with your penniless fasting. Well, do as you plan: just don’t consider it important. It is important to pay attention to the movements of the heart and cleanse them with repentance every minute. Do more of this. With this, to see the Lord and to be in the memory of death - these are important things (4, p. 233)! 20. Reasonable freedom regarding fasting Don’t regret the fact that you had to add something from your food. One should not become attached even to holy rules, but behave in relation to them with complete freedom, using them wisely. It doesn’t matter if you add something else, just not to please the flesh, but out of need (4, p. 234). But here comes fasting: let us fast, brethren, with a pleasant fast. Woe is it when fasting is not pleasant to us or to God. How weak we have become!.. And all because we are righteous... The sinner will not feel sorry for himself, and when he feels sinfulness, then hold on, sinful flesh (11, p. 20)! 22. The necessity and importance of fasting There is so much talk about fasting, how people rebel against it and say: “Why is fasting so strict, when the Lord Himself says that what does not enter into a person defiles, but what comes from the heart, and the Apostle teaches: let him who is not poisonous condemn him who eats not 181 (Rom. 14:3), and St. On the day of Holy Easter, Chrysostom calls everyone to joy, both those who fasted and those who did not fast?” (11, p. 124). Poor post! How much reproach, slander, and persecution he endures! But everything, by the grace of God, stands. And how could it be otherwise? The support is strong! The Lord fasted, the apostles fasted, and moreover, a lot, but, as the apostle says about himself. Paul, they were rich in fasting, and all the saints of God kept a strict fast, so that if it were given to us to survey the abodes of paradise, we would not find a single one there who would shun fasting. That's how it should be. By breaking the fast, paradise is lost - initiating strict fasting should be among the means to return the lost paradise. Is our mother, the compassionate Holy Church, our stepmother? Would she impose such a heavy and unnecessary burden on us? But it imposes! That's right, it can't be otherwise. Let us submit... And everyone who wants to be saved will submit... Look around. More or less, anyone who becomes concerned about the soul now begins to fast, and the more concerned he is, the more strictly he fasts. Why would this be? - Because when you fast, things go more successfully and it’s easier to control your soul. Whoever dissuades himself from fasting, surely salvation is not dear to him. Where the womb writes the laws, God is the womb. To whom God is the belly, he is the enemy of the Cross of Christ. Whoever is an enemy of the Cross is an enemy of Christ, our Savior and God. This is how you proceed forward: when someone begins to rebel against some ascetic institution of God, begin to ask him, which one does he accept besides this rejected one? For example, whoever rejects fasting, ask: “Well, is it necessary to go to church? Is it necessary to keep a prayer rule at home? Do I need to confess? and so on... and you will probably find that he will refuse everything. And it will be clear to you that he doesn’t care about fasting, but about any cramped conditions in general... He wants to live widely... Well, let him live! Just be sure to read to him the definition of God’s Judgment on the broad path! This is the duty of everyone who makes this determination! After all, when you ask everything, it turns out that this kind of sage is of a completely different faith. And tell him this; tell me that you, brother, have a different god, different laws, different hopes!.. And our God is the Lord Jesus Christ, who fasted, our mother is the Holy Church, whose statutes require fasting, our companions are the holy apostles, shepherds and teachers of the universe - all fasters and legislators of fasting! We can't do it any other way. And you go your own way. Don't you think you can convince these people?.. Where are we going! Their forehead is copper and their neck is iron! What will you do with them? Don't think that they have any solid reasons. No. They just have a lot of tenacity. Those misinterpretations that you have heard are probably considered lofty ideas among them. And look what is there? They say: what does not enter into the mouth defiles... Who can argue against this? Do fasting people abstain from food because they are afraid of being defiled by it? God have mercy! Nobody thinks so. And it is the cunning people of the world who weave lies in order to somehow cover themselves up with appearances. Those who break fast defile themselves, not only with food, but by violating God’s commandments, by disobedience and stubbornness. And those who fast and do not keep their hearts pure are not considered pure. Both are needed: physical fasting and mental fasting. This is what is said in the teachings, and this is what is sung in the Church. Whoever does not do this is not the fault of the fast! Why refuse fasting under this pretext? Should I ask those who do not want to fast, do they keep their hearts pure? It's incredible! If with fasting and other deeds it is barely possible to control our dear heart, then without fasting there is nothing to say. Remember how one elder met a young monk coming out of a tavern and said to him: “Eh, brother! It’s not a good thing to come here!” He answered him: “Go! If only the heart was pure...” Then the elder said in amazement: “For how many years I have lived in the desert and fasted and prayed and rarely went out anywhere, but I have not yet acquired a pure heart; and you, young man, walking through taverns, managed to acquire a pure heart. Miracle! The same must be said to anyone who refuses to fast! And what it says next: “let him who is not poisonous condemn him who is poisonous,” does not lead to anything. After all, this is an instruction! When we put ourselves among those who are fasting, let us thank you for the advice or reminder. But through this, the one who does not fast is not freed from the obligation to fast and from the responsibility for not fasting. He who condemns one who does not fast sins, but one who does not fast does not become righteous through this. And let's not judge. Let everyone know as they please. But we must stand up for the rule or law of fasting and not allow freemen to insidiously weave lies. Finally, Chrysostom’s condescension towards those who did not fast means only the kindness of his heart and the desire that on Bright Sunday of Christ everyone would rejoice and not a single one would have a sad face. This is the desire of the holy father, but God knows whether it comes true in practice! Tell the patient: be healthy, be healthy... Will this make him well? It's the same there. Everyone is invited to rejoice, but does everyone truly rejoice? What to do with conscience? Noise and commotion is not joy. Joy comes to the heart, which does not always rejoice with external amusements (11, pp. 124–127). Help you, Lord, to fast for salvation, to pray and to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ properly. And take care of yourself, and put your affairs in order, and enjoy the peace of God - the grace of the Lord our Savior, when you are more sincerely worthy to accept Him into yourself (8, p. 27). ...he who does not eat, do not judge the one who eats. 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