What to do when fasting?

[Dinami]

As you all know Pascha is in a month time. I've never really fasted at all during this time of year before like if I do I end up ruining it before the 40 days is over. This year I decided to fast properly and do it the right way. So since im still learning how to fast properly.

I am just fasting till 12am-12pm, exclude eating dairy, meat, fish etc. praying, reading. What else am I meant to be doing?

What do people do during Great Lent?

 

[Shiranui117]

You could take the money that you've saved by not buying dairy, fish, meat, etc. and give it to charity. You could try going to some of the extra Divine Services that happen in Lent. You could also work on being a better Christian and avoiding certain sins that you have a problem with.

PS: Welcome to the forums! Nice to see another Orthodox Christian here (even though I'm only an inquirer and not really Orthodox yet )

 

[Jainarayan]

As you all know Pascha is in a month time. I've never really fasted at all during this time of year before like if I do I end up ruining it before the 40 days is over. This year I decided to fast properly and do it the right way. So since im still learning how to fast properly.

I am just fasting till 12am-12pm, exclude eating dairy, meat, fish etc. praying, reading. What else am I meant to be doing?

What do people do during Great Lent?

Consider this before thinking you have done or not done anything to ruin it:
Easter Sermon of St. John Chrysostom (partial quote):

If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their reward.

If any have come after the third hour,
let them with gratitude join in the feast!

Those who arrived after the sixth hour,
let them not doubt; for they shall not be short-changed.

Those who have tarried until the ninth hour,
let them not hesitate; but let them come too.

And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let them not be afraid by reason of their delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
The Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour,
even as to those who toiled from the beginning.

 

[james bond]

I think we fast in order to not think about ourselves and our wants and needs. Instead, we set aside some time to pray and think about God. Usually, it means giving up some food or drink one enjoys for a set time such as 5 pm to 8 pm. It does not have to with starvation, dieting to lose weight, or cleansing the body of toxins.

One person I know from church gave up coffee (caffeine) for the forty days. It makes one appreciate what God provides for us or just make time to think about God.

 

[Jainarayan]

When I was EO, my priest used to say "Man needs the fast, God doesn't".

 

[SageTree]

What a glorious time of year!

Part of Lenten exercises in Anglicanism are the The Penitential Psalms which are Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143 (6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, and 142 in the Septuagint numbering)

This year I took in a lot of extra services and am in the Churches chant choir,
and was able to engage in more joyful singing than usually offered.

I fasted on Fridays from sun up to sun down, which was my own unique spin.
And skipped lunch during the week otherwise.

On Maunday Thursday there was an over night vigil, for us to 'watch for one hour'.
I got up and stayed in prayer and meditation from 2 am until 4 am, so the Father could rest for a while. It was an amazing experience to be in all that stillness.



Good luck, Brother.

My Lent is over, but I am with my Orthodox Brothren and Sistren in Spirit.
The difference in the calendar is helping me stay mindful of the newly Risen Christ,
and excited await his Rising again in May.



Many blessings.

 

[Gaura Priya]

I was a little confused too, LOL. I thought Lent was over! XD

Next year, I am actually looking forward to practicing Lent. I actually would like to start 'Vegan Fridays' (since I am already vegetarian) and I will try to go vegan and do more charity during Lent 2014!

 

[Jainarayan]

You're not too late. This year western Easter and Orthodox Easter are the maximum of 5 weeks apart, so it is still Great Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The dates can be the same or up to 5 weeks apart. Orthodox Easter (Pascha, as it's properly known) is May 5 this year. Be sure to greet your Greek friends with "Khristos anesti! Alithos anesti!" and your Russian friends with "Khristos voskrese! Voyistinu voskrese!" ("Christ is risen! Indeed he is risen!").

 

[Shiranui117]

And your Arabic Christian friends with "El Messieh kam!" "Hakken kam!"

 

[Jainarayan]

Our priest even said it in one of the Inuit languages, because of the Russian missions to Alaska. It sounded something like "Kristuk tanwiktuk... iluminik tanwiktuk" but it escapes me.