The Priest – Fasting

Main Idea

The lecture discusses the concept of fasting in the life and ministry of the priest, considering it an essential spiritual requirement for performing the church sacraments, while clarifying necessary exceptions, and presenting a comprehensive pastoral vision of the active priest’s role in energizing and organizing church service.

Spiritual and Liturgical Dimension

• His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that the الأصل is that the holy sacraments are performed while the priest is fasting, because fasting is a spiritual preparation befitting the holiness of the sacrament.
• He explains that the Sacrament of Baptism should be performed before the Divine Liturgy or during its readings, not after it, so that the priest does not break his fast.
• Communion of the sick and the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick must be carried out while the priest is fasting, while the sick person is considered an exceptional case.
• He clarifies that some sacraments, such as Confession, are considered exceptions out of pastoral necessity, because the salvation of the soul takes precedence over ritual order.
• He points out that the Sacrament of Marriage has changed in practice for social reasons and is no longer always connected with fasting as it was in the past.

Pastoral and Service Vision

• His Holiness presents the model of the active priest who involves the greatest possible number of church members in service, each according to his or her gift.
• He encourages diversity of activities: educational, spiritual, social, artistic, and organizational, so that the church becomes a complete center of life.
• He stresses the importance of organizing church membership, visitation, and serving the poor, the sick, children, youth, and the elderly.
• He affirms that involving the congregation in church work creates serving generations and prevents spiritual emptiness and drifting away from the Church.
• He emphasizes that enthusiasm alone is not enough; follow-up and practical execution are necessary so that decisions may turn into real fruit.

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