I am not orthodox, but I am a methodist. Fasting was always something I chose to pass off to keep my diet and athletic goals. Before I watched this video, I never considered asking my spiritual father what I could do to keep the fast and my goals in a synergetic relationship. Thank you, Father.
This video definitely clarifies how one can make physical progress during a season of fasting. There isn't much content that covers the physical realities of fasting in Orthodoxy, so thank you for sharing this wisdom!
Its odd that my biggest stumbling block with the Orthodox church right now is that the church's idea of fasting is a Vegan diet. I have been involved with low-carb, meat based diets for over 20 years, so I constantly get attacked by Vegans. As an ultra-Marathon runner I thrive on a carnivore diet. I also love the beauty and theology of the Orthodox church. Its a weird place to be.
Ya that is odd. The Orthodox vegan fast is not related to the modern political or social vegan push. Your not giving in to a current by following the fasts. Why would a church cancel their institution of fasting just to stick it to a modern and temporary trend?
@@lancep994 I know its not a modern innovation, but I've had trouble finding why eating Vegan food is considered a fast, but eating Meat is not fasting. No one seems to know, its just tradition, and the monks do it. Fasting in the bible is not eating anything. Its also weird to hear so much about fasting from people that are so overweight. 95% of my parish is overweight, but they all talk about fasting... it just seems incongruous.
@@feralandroid agreed that overall bodily health would be a good focus for pastoral care. Fasting is related to feasting. You don't have feasts without fasts. The feast is, intuitively I think, rich in delicious animal foods. These foods are celebratory, and generally also expensive. The fast is not a celebration, it is more solemn and, especially in the case of Pascha, sorrowful. And you should be saving money from not buying lots of expensive food, and contributing more to almsgiving. There is also the discipline required to fast: when you are feeling weak mentally and physically because you haven't consumed rich animal products, it takes discipline to "not live by bread alone," to stay prayerful and encouraged. In Pascha we look forward to the feast of the resurrection of the Lord, and this motivates us in our preparational fast. Also, I think many who fast are still fat, because fasting slows metabolism, and when you know you are fasting 14 weeks/year, you tend to over indulge when you are not fasting.
@@feralandroid another aspect is that the Pascha fast specifically mimics Jesus' 40 day desert fast. His fast was zero water, zero food. Obviously we are not able to do that, though it is claimed that a few have been able. So you can see the Orthodox fasting rules as a continuum of economia, from a complete "Jesus in the desert" fast to a more generous fast described in this video for professional athletes.
@@lancep994 Yes, I understand and agree that fasting is important. What I have an issue with is how the Orthodox church has come to define fasting as eating a Vegan diet, as opposed to not eating at all like the early church and jews practiced. Fasting in the church now consists of stuffing your face with Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches and Fish tacos. Also, the one time I tried to keep the orthodox fast, along with health issues it brought back, I also spent almost twice as much money as I normally do. People gain weight over lent these days, lol.
I am not orthodox, but I am a methodist. Fasting was always something I chose to pass off to keep my diet and athletic goals. Before I watched this video, I never considered asking my spiritual father what I could do to keep the fast and my goals in a synergetic relationship. Thank you, Father.
Thanks Father, I have passed this on to my son who has been worried about this issue. Glory to God for all things!
This video definitely clarifies how one can make physical progress during a season of fasting. There isn't much content that covers the physical realities of fasting in Orthodoxy, so thank you for sharing this wisdom!
Thank you for this video, looking to do my first fast for great lent this year
Most excellent. Glad to be of service.
Thank you for the video Fr. 🙏
I really needed guidance on that specific topic!!! Thank you, father.
Thanks for this, Father!
14:56 - there are also plant-based protein powders you could have in place of whey.
Hello Father, thanks for the video!
Thank you Father for the video, if I may ask what is a weekend warrior?
Its odd that my biggest stumbling block with the Orthodox church right now is that the church's idea of fasting is a Vegan diet. I have been involved with low-carb, meat based diets for over 20 years, so I constantly get attacked by Vegans. As an ultra-Marathon runner I thrive on a carnivore diet. I also love the beauty and theology of the Orthodox church. Its a weird place to be.
Ya that is odd. The Orthodox vegan fast is not related to the modern political or social vegan push. Your not giving in to a current by following the fasts. Why would a church cancel their institution of fasting just to stick it to a modern and temporary trend?
@@lancep994 I know its not a modern innovation, but I've had trouble finding why eating Vegan food is considered a fast, but eating Meat is not fasting. No one seems to know, its just tradition, and the monks do it. Fasting in the bible is not eating anything. Its also weird to hear so much about fasting from people that are so overweight. 95% of my parish is overweight, but they all talk about fasting... it just seems incongruous.
@@feralandroid agreed that overall bodily health would be a good focus for pastoral care. Fasting is related to feasting. You don't have feasts without fasts. The feast is, intuitively I think, rich in delicious animal foods. These foods are celebratory, and generally also expensive. The fast is not a celebration, it is more solemn and, especially in the case of Pascha, sorrowful. And you should be saving money from not buying lots of expensive food, and contributing more to almsgiving. There is also the discipline required to fast: when you are feeling weak mentally and physically because you haven't consumed rich animal products, it takes discipline to "not live by bread alone," to stay prayerful and encouraged. In Pascha we look forward to the feast of the resurrection of the Lord, and this motivates us in our preparational fast. Also, I think many who fast are still fat, because fasting slows metabolism, and when you know you are fasting 14 weeks/year, you tend to over indulge when you are not fasting.
@@feralandroid another aspect is that the Pascha fast specifically mimics Jesus' 40 day desert fast. His fast was zero water, zero food. Obviously we are not able to do that, though it is claimed that a few have been able. So you can see the Orthodox fasting rules as a continuum of economia, from a complete "Jesus in the desert" fast to a more generous fast described in this video for professional athletes.
@@lancep994 Yes, I understand and agree that fasting is important. What I have an issue with is how the Orthodox church has come to define fasting as eating a Vegan diet, as opposed to not eating at all like the early church and jews practiced. Fasting in the church now consists of stuffing your face with Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches and Fish tacos. Also, the one time I tried to keep the orthodox fast, along with health issues it brought back, I also spent almost twice as much money as I normally do. People gain weight over lent these days, lol.
The Athos Diet
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