Fasting of the Apostles
🌅 Introduction to Fasting
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III greets the people at the start of the Fast of the Apostles, explaining that it is one of the earliest fasts in the Church, for the apostles began fasting after the ascension of Christ, fulfilling His words: “When the Bridegroom is taken away, then they will fast.”
He reminds that fasting was the first commandment given by God to mankind when He told Adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge — thus fasting began with self-control.
🕊️ Fasting as a Spiritual Power
Fasting, the Pope explains, is one of the greatest spiritual means, teaching the believer self-discipline and mastery over desires.
All prophets fasted, and Christ Himself fasted for us.
He notes that on the Mount of Transfiguration stood Jesus, Moses, and Elijah — each of whom had fasted forty days — appearing in divine glory.
🌿 Fasting Benefits Body and Soul
Fasting benefits the body by resting its organs and cleansing it from excess fats and toxins.
With humor, the Pope says people spend half their lives eating and the other half dieting — but fasting achieves both spiritual and physical benefit together.
⏳ Fasting Is Not Merely Vegan Food
Fasting is not just eating plant-based meals, he warns, but abstaining for a time followed by simple food free from animal fats.
This abstinence trains the person to say “no” to the body — the foundation of self-control.
Eating whatever one desires, even if vegan, is not true fasting.
🙏 Hunger as a Path to Humility
Hunger, he teaches, is a virtue that humbles the soul and strengthens prayer.
Enduring hunger develops humility, awareness of weakness, and deeper communion with God — as David said: “I humbled myself with fasting.”
🍞 Simplicity, Not Luxury
The Pope recalls Daniel’s words: “I ate no pleasant bread.”
True fasting avoids indulgence even in permitted foods, leading the soul to detachment and simplicity, not to refined “fasting delicacies.”
💒 Fasting and Repentance
Fasting without repentance, he warns, is not accepted by God.
The repentance of Nineveh was accepted because they turned from their evil ways, not just because they fasted.
Thus fasting must be a time of repentance, confession, and renewal.
🔥 Feeding the Soul
When the body is hungry, the spirit must be nourished — through prayer, Scripture reading, hymns, and contemplation.
A fast without prayer is empty, but fasting with spiritual nourishment transforms the heart.
🌿 “Sanctify a Fast, Call a Solemn Assembly”
He quotes the prophet Joel: “Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.”
Fasting must be a holy period, withdrawn from worldly noise, filled with worship and solitude with God.
💫 Fruits of True Fasting
True fasting produces self-control, purity, and humility.
It is not enough for the body to fast — the tongue, mind, and heart must also fast.
As His Holiness concludes: “Fasting of the body without fasting of the soul is useless.”
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