Page 43 - AlNashra issue 2 - 2023

Fasting as a Journey of Light

Patriarch John X*

We are often asked whether fasting is necessary. importance and necessity, or in terms of roots

Fasting may seem difficult to many, because it in the Bible and the foundations on which it

involves some deprivation, depriving a person is based, or in terms of benefits, etc. However,

of what he or she enjoys. In general, humans in this blessed evening, I will not approach

find deprivation difficult. We may wonder: Is the subject from any of these perspectives or

the burden of fasting heavy or is it light and angles—despite their importance, indeed— I

comfortable? Personally, I firmly believe that will elaborate on fasting as a journey of light,

fasting is light because it gives us rest and fills us as a spiritual contest practiced by the believer

with abundant strength and grace. seeking light as a child of the Light.

Indeed, we can discuss fasting in terms of One might think that happiness lies in the

* From the archives of His Beatitude when he was Bishop of Al Hosn (Pyrgos)

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