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The liturgy of Fasting
Beloved children of God, how are you today? In this session, we will delve into the topic of fasting and explore the various types of fasts observed in our sacred Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
What is Fasting?
fasting is to abstain from food, water and other harmful thoughts, speeches and deeds (works). Fast is the gate of righteousness; fast is the initiation of good things; fast is the way to train the life of Angels and Righteous.
Dear Children of God, fast has its own liturgy. We have to pray whilst fasting.Not only do we abstain from food and drink but we also give veneration to people, keep peace amongst our friends and be careful of using bad words whilst talking to others. If we do these things, it is likely that we are fasting properly and pleasing God.
Dear Children of God, according to the teaching of Holy Orthodox Church, there are seven chronical fasting seasons which are Fast of Prophets, Fast of Revelation (The Fast on the eve of Epiphany and the Birth of Christ), The Great Lent, The Fast of Nineveh, The Fast of Salvation (Wednesdays and Fridays), The Fast of Apostles and Fast of Assumption of Saint Mary. Thus, any one from the age of seven years old shall fast it unless and other wise he/she is sick. Children, are you seven years old and fasting these chronical fasts? If not, you shall start soon by informing your parents.
We shall see each of the seven fasting seasons as follows!
We shall see each of the seven fasting seasons as follows!
The Fast of Prophets
Mankind was bestowed a hope of salvation as the prophet foretold prophecy about the mystery of “Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” to be born from Holy Mother Saint Mary. Conferring the word of God, Christians fast “The Fast of Prophets.” This fast is amongst the seven fast and thus all in the name of Orthodox Tewahedo religion shall fast. This year’s fast begins at November 24, (Hidar 15) 2022 (2015 E.C) and lasts until January 6, (Tahisas 28), 2023 (2015). At January 7 (Tahisas 29), on the celebration of the Birth of Lord Jesus Christ, it is festival.
In the Old Testament Prophets prophesied about “The Holy Son” to be born, migration to Egypt, His baptism in Jordan river, suffering for the salvation of mankind, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and second coming on Judgment day.
The Prophets prayed and fasted with the hope of salvation of humans vowed to Adam. Though they haven’t’ witnessed the “Birth of Lord Jesus Christ” with their own eyes, they had faith of the fulfillment of the redemption of human. Thus, we fast this fast with the hope of Lord Jesus Christ birth and the contentment of the prophet’s prophecy.
Following, we will see the weeks of “The fast of Prophets.”
The Fast of the Apostles
In the order of fasts in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, Fasting is abstinence from all things a body needs, abstain food and water for a limited time until the period of fasting is over (fasting time). And have to fast from any animal products like Eggs, milk, cheese and meat. from any kind of food. (Fetha Negest 15, Matthew 6:16). In general, Christian has to abstain from anything which the body desires.
The Main objectives of fasting are to make the desire of the body to obey the will of the soul, to seek forgiveness of guilt and to increase the reward of the soul. The Apostles who were commanded to serve the church received guidance from the Holy Spirit while they were praying and fasting. (Acts 13:2). Priests and Deacons who served as preachers of the gospel were inspired and ordained while fasting and praying. (Acts 13:3; 14:23)
Fasting is not only abstinence from food. It will be a true fast if the eye is kept from seeing, the mouth from speaking and the ear from hearing evil things. (Matthew 5:21-30; Saint. Yared-Diguwa). The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has its own laws and orders of fasting...
The Great Lent
The Great Lent (Fast) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 40 days after His baptism is one of the seven proclamations that our church commands us to fast. The Great Lent is the holiest fast of our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of human beings. Therefore, we fast for forty days on the fast following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amid Apostasy era, LORD Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and nights in the desert to his promise of Adam’s salvation. Later than his baptism, LORD Jesus Christ was challenged by enemy Satan, where he was consequently encountering obstacles during his fasting. He faced all the evil and tribulations for our atonement of human race; and hence all Christians in the name of Christianity fast “The Great Lent” for their emancipation of sins and Salvation.
The Eight week Sundays of the Lent are named accordingly so that laities are aware about the deeds and abstinence. Read more about each of the eight holy weeks.
Amid Apostasy era, LORD Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and nights in the desert to his promise of Adam’s salvation. Later than his baptism, LORD Jesus Christ was challenged by enemy Satan, where he was consequently encountering obstacles during his fasting. He faced all the evil and tribulations for our atonement of human race; and hence all Christians in the name of Christianity fast “The Great Lent” for their emancipation of sins and Salvation.
The Eight week Sundays of the Lent are named accordingly so that laities are aware about the deeds and abstinence. Read more about each of the eight holy weeks.
The Fast of Nineveh
Fast of Nineveh is three days subsequent fast and repentance of the Ninevites by the warning message of the Prophet Jonah. It is known to be the fast of repentance, humility and the return to God. Thus, the Church considers this fast amongst the Great Fast; Lent and other Fasts.
The people of Nineveh fasted, wore sackcloth from the youngest to the oldest and prayed to God for forgiveness. God accepted their repentance; “God saw their works that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them; and He did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10)
The story of Jonah presages the redemptive work of Lord Jesus Christ. God send Prophet Jonah to the people of Nineveh for they were Gentiles and needed repentance...
The Fast of the Assumption of Saint Mary
The Mother of God Saint Mary’s assumption on her 64th age is a remembrance of the fast the apostles for fifteen consecutive days beginning August 7 till 22 with passion and diligence. It commemorates their witnessing of Saint Mary’s departure.
Saint Apostles then tended her body and carried it to Gethsemane for burial. However, some of the Jews blocked their way to prevent them from burying the body, and decided to snatch and burn it to ashes in avoiding of it may thereafter bring news of another ‘resurrection’ and ‘ascension’.
Unfortunate to the Jews, GOD sent HIS angel and took the body of HIS Mother in glory to the Heaven. Then, Holy Angels took the body to heaven, where Saint John escorted the Apostles to the Tree of Life he laid the body. Eager in discerning, the apostles asked Saint John about the Saint Mary’s cadaver while he returned to Jerusalem which he informed them about her body, placed under the Tree of Life by the Angel. Then, the Apostles said to each other, “John saw and we did not; let us pray and fast that we can also see.”
So, for fifteen days they prayed and fasted for which later on, the Angels brought the body of the Virgin to them where they buried the body of the Saint Mary. Then after three days, just as Lord Jesus Christ had resurrected Saint Mary rose from the dead.