On Fasting

By Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh

   Fasting, in our days, has become one of the most neglected spiritual values. Because of misunderstandings regarding the nature of fasting, because of confused and reversed priorities in its use, many of today's Orthodox Christians fast very little, or disregard fasting altogether.

   Fasting was practiced by the Lord Himself. After prayer and fasting for forty days in the wilderness, the Lord victoriously faced the temptations of the devil (Matthew 4:1-­11). The Lord himself asked the disciples to use fasting as an important spiritual weapon to achieve spiritual victories (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29; Luke 2:37). The example of the Lord was followed by His disciples (Acts 14:23; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 6:5, 11:27, etc.). What is fasting? Why is it so important? Why does fasting precede such important feasts such as Easter and Christmas?

   The importance of fasting depends on its meaning. Many of the Fathers have written on fasting. Among others, St. Basil has left us with most inspired comments on fasting. St. Basil tells us that fasting is not abstaining from food only; it is first of all, abstaining from sin.  Grounded in the teaching of the Fathers, the Church in its hymnology describes fasting as the mother of chastity and prudence, as the accuser of sin and as the advocate of repentance, the life worthy of angels and the salvation of humans (The Lenten Triodion, trans. Kallistos Ware, London 1978, p. 195). Fasting becomes all of these when observed in the proper spirit.

   First of all, fasting is abstinence from food. By detaching us from earthly goods and realities, fasting has a liberating effect on us and makes us worthy of the life of the spirit, a life similar to that of angels. Second, fasting, as abstinence from bad habits and sin, is the mother of Christian virtues, the mother of sound and wholesome thinking; it allows us to establish the proper priority between the material and spiritual, giving priority to the spiritual.

   Fasting is the advocate of repentance. Adam and Eve disobeyed God; they refused to fast from the forbidden fruit. They became slaves of their own desires. But now through fasting, through obedience to the rules of the Church regarding the use of spiritual and material goods, we may return to the life in Paradise, a life of communion with God. Thus, fasting is a means of salvation, this salvation being a life we live in accordance with the Divine will, in communion with God.

   Because of the liberating effect of fasting, both material and spiritual, the Church has connected fasting with the celebration of the major feasts of our tradition. Easter is, of course, our main feast. It is the "feast of feasts." It is the feast of our liberation from the bondage of sin, from corrupted nature, from death.   For on that day, through His Resurrection from the dead, Christ has raised us "from death to life, and from earth to heaven" (Resurrection Canon), Christ, "our new Passover," has taken us away from the land of slavery, sin and death, to the promised land of freedom, bliss and glory; from our sinful condition to resurrected life.

   It is most appropriate to prepare for this celebration through a liberating fast, both material and spiritual. This is the profound meaning that fasting takes during the Great Lent. Let us allow ourselves to take advantage of the spiritual riches of the Church. Let us use the precious messianic gifts offered to us through its sacramental life, through its celebrations of the central mysteries of our salvation in Christ. Let us use the spiritual weapons,

"to fight the good fight, to walk the way of fasting, to crush the heads of the invisible dragons, to prove ourselves victorious over sin, and without condemnation to reach our goal of worshiping the Holy Resurrection" (Prayer of the Presanctified Liturgy).

This is the challenge of the Great Lent: to use fasting to obtain the resurrected life, to unite with the Risen Lord. Who could refuse to accept this challenge? (G.O. Archdiocese Website)

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        Service Hours: Sundays and Feast Days: Orthros at 9:30 am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am

CHEESEFARE / FORGIVENESS SUNDAY 

GOSPEL ENTRANCE AND OTHER HYMNS

  Dismissal Hymn of the Resurrection – 4th  Tone

   (Sing in Greek before the Entrance) (“To faidron tes Anastaseos”).Hymnal,  84-85

   (Sing in English after the Entrance)“When the tidings . . . ”). (Same).

Dismissal Hymn of the Presentation of Christ (See paper in the pews)

Kontakion of Cheesefare / Forgiveness Sunday

   Sung in Greek by the Leaders: “Tes sophias odege . . .”

  (Read) O Lord, / all those who followed wisely the ways of God, / the Light of the Universe, were filled with joy, / for they have preached and practiced piety / and prevented evil deeds. / Through their intercession, / reserve in perfect peace / those who praise You and glorify Your name, / that they may sing to You “Alleluia!”

Turn to pp. 26-27 of the Hymnal, for “Holy God . . . .”

  EPISTLE – Romans 13:11-14:4 (Cheesefare / Forgiveness Sunday) Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

  GOSPEL – Matthew 6:14-21 (Cheesefare / Forgiveness  Sunday) The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

   LITURGIST TODAY: Fr. Jerry celebrated his name day  for his patron saint, on March 4.  He will be serving the Divine Liturgy today and will preach the sermon. We wish him “Many Years!”

  TRISAGION MEMORIALS are offered today by Chrysokaty Georgacopulos for the rest of the soul of her late mother, Ioanna Soteropoulos, and by Presbytera Emily Harakas for her late sister and Katherine Gregerson, and for their parents George & Andromache Maniates. May their memories be eternal!

THERE WILL BE ONE TRAY TODAY- FOR STEWARDSHIP OR FOR VISITORS’ OFFERING

  FOR THE RECORD: February 26 – Attendance 50; Stewardship $543.85; Visitors’ Offering Tray $54; Candles $88; Dino Adamis Philanthropic Fund, $138.  Saturday of Souls, Feb. 25 – Candles $22. Mardi Gras! Proceeds $2305 Thanks to all for your support!.

  CONGRATULATIONS! Best wishes and blessings to Bobby and Jennifer Thomas whose marriage took place on Saturday, February 25 at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, FL with Fr. Stanley Harakas conducting the Sacrament. We pray God’s blessings on them, Sponsor Achilles Tomas, and the Thomas and Maura families. “Many Years!”

   father HARAKAS’ 50th AnniversarY: Many Stewards and Friends have contributed to our Building Fund in honor of Fr. Harakas’ 50^th Ordination Anniversary and in appreciation for the book sent. We remind those who haven’t as yet, that the honor roll of contributors will be published in the March 19 issue of The Orthodox Messenger.  Plan to give?  Do it now! Thank you!

  telephone Directory: You can  help this project by soliciting advertising for the Directory. Call Cathy at 684-4082 to help! Can you solicit two business ads? Can you solicit one business ad? If you can’t solicit – can you be a Booster?

  NEEDED: EASTER FOOD BASKET DONATIONS: Our Food Pantry needs to be stocked. All non-perishable food items will be deeply appreciated so that we may be able to help those in need. Suggested non-perishable food items for our Easter Food Baskets: Apple Sauce,  Pineapple (sliced or bits), French-style Green Beans, Peas, Corn and Carrots. The Ladies Society will buy other foods from the Adamis Fund.   

   STEWARDS: We now have 58 Stewards for 2006 as of last Sunday. If you haven’t sent in your Stewardship Declaration Cards yet, please do so as soon as possible. Your support is greatly needed for us to continue the work of Christ the Savior Church. A special welcome to new Stewards Lt. Col. Michael & Helen Lappas, 4982 Clubview Ct., E. Bradenton, FL 34203, and to Phil & Coleen Skaroulis, 6189 Wayside Ct., Spring Hill, FL 34606, 684-6145. Please write these names and addresses in your Telephone Directory.

   PROSFORON BAKERS: George Nikas 2/26; Connie Mourgides 3/5; Fran Mather 3:12;. Argiris & Carol Gymnaos 3/19; Fran Triantafilon 3/25 (Annunciation). Helen Nicolelis 3/26; Gloria Vardakis 4/2; Bette Ferriero 4/9, Venice Cosmadelis 4/14 (Pre-Sanctified Liturgy); Presbytera Emily Harakas 1/15 (Saturday of Lazarus). To become a Prosforon Baker, speak to George Nikas, Prosforon Chairman -597-1375.

   THE PARISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (P.E.P.) for Friday, March 10 will conclude our study of the Gospel of John, with the 21^st and final chapter. We will discuss what we will continue to do in the future. Some have suggested that we study another book of the Bible, others that we view films during Lent and discuss them. What’s your interest? For Great Lent, we start at 2:30 pm.

   SERVICES OF THE SALUTATION TO THE THEOTOKOS will be held on the Fridays of Great Lent in the Chapel. The flowers for the Icon of the Theotokos have all been subscribed for. The flowers for first Friday Salutations, March 10, are being offered by Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily Harakas for the health and well-being of their new grand-daughter, Theodora Ioanna Parigian. You are asked to bring a Lenten dish for the Lenten Covered Dish Supper following the Service of the Salutations to the Theotokos.

   BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS: Today, blessings for those celebrating their birthdays in March will be offered: Peter Hatzi 3/2; Fr. Bill Mattis 3/2; Nancy Urling 3/2; Nick Maroulis 3/3; Edna Kalogiannis 3/6; Gloria Vardakis 3/7; Paul Cosmadelis 3/10; Tony Calligeros 3/17; Marian Maniates 3/11; Kara Hazivasilis 3/19; Helen Nicolelis 3/24; and Kosta Gymnaos. Congratulations and “Many Years!”

 

 HOSPITALIZED: Oak Hill: Kosti Yoanides; Anna Kikis. Brooksville Regional: John Demetriades. We pray for a rapid recovery.

   PAN-ORTHODOX VESPERS: The first Sunday of Great Lent falls on March 12 this year. Pan-Orthodox Vespers will be held in the Tampa Bay area this year at St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church at 3600 76^th St. N., in Saint Petersburg, FL at 6:00 p.m. Three choirs will sing: Orthodox Youth Choir of Tampa Bay, Pan-Orthodox Combined Choir and George Pappas’ Byzantine Choir. Fr. Harakas is planning to attend. We can work out travel arrangements for a group from Christ the Savior to attend. Speak to Fr. Stanley.

   OUR MARDI GRAS! – APOKREATIKO GLENDI this past Monday at Yanni’s Rest-aurant in Homosassa was a wonderful social and financial success with over a hundred in attendance and with $2305 as the proceeds for our Church! Many thanks to all who supported it and especially to Harriet Pasisis and Gloria Zahka, Chairs, and most of all, to Yanni and Jennie Kotsifakis for hosting our Mardi Gras! – Apokreatiko Glendi.

   MOSI FILM ENJOYED: The film on Greece at the Museum of Science and Industry which was part of the Annual Educational Forum of the American Federation of Greek Language and Culture was well attended by persons from Christ the Savior Church. It was an enjoyable and instructive experience. Thanks to Nick Maroulis who made it possible!

COME TO CHURCH DURING LENT!

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

P.O. BOX 5566

SPRING HILL, FL 34611

 

Tomorrow! March 6 –Lent Begins

March 10, Friday

   - P.E.P. at 2:30 p.m. – John 21

   -1^st Salutations to the Theotokos

   - Lenten Covered Dish Supper

March 11, Saturday

-Holy Confession 2-3 p.m. Chapel

March 18, Sunday of Orthodoxy

   -Orthros, 9:30 a.m. Liturgy 10 a.m.

   -Procession of Icons

   -Pan-Orthodox Vespers – St.

    Stefanos G.O. Church, St. Pete               

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