I extend felicitations for our Muslim brothers in Egypt, the Arab region and the world, for the beginning of Ramadan month fasting, which coincides with the days of the great lent, fasted by their Christian brothers, which began late last month. So, the members of one nation are participating in a spiritual work they present to God. We pray for God to accept our fasts as the scent of incense, to protect Egypt and all Egyptians from all evil, to fill us with His peace and to grant us His blessings.
Fasting is one of the important pillars advocated by religions. Through fasting, the human spirit transcends the physical matters, so it sets off towards God, its Maker and Creator, to enjoy countless blessings and an unfathomable highness. During fasting, man tries to control the desires and requirements of the body, such as food, drink, etc., so that spirit shall be liberated from them, elevating man both spiritually and physically. Fasting is training for the soul on stamina, will and determination. Fasting defeats the devil with all his tricks and attempts to entrap people. Whoever has his spirit strengthened by God shall not be overcome by evil forces.
Religions have spoken about fasting, its power and status:
In Judaism, King Jehosaphat fell into fear when he was attacked by armies of Moab and Ammon: “He set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” Then God’s response came to him through the mouth of his prophet: “Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”. When the people of Queen Esther were subjected to annihilation, she requested that fasts be held and prayers be lifted so that God would give her grace before the king and save her people. God saved His people and turned the day of doom into a feast day. Also, God accepted the repentance of the people of Nineveh, which was mixed with their fasting, and did not destroy them.
In Christianity, Lord Christ was a model of fasting for us: “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.” He taught us that overcoming the devil and his warfare is achieved only through a transcendent spirit through fasting and prayer: “However, this kind (devils) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Thus, the disciples and apostles of Lord Christ learned the importance of fasting; they would fast a lot, passing on to the Church what had been passed to them from Christ about fasting.
In Islam, we read in Surat Maryam, “Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention”, and in Surat Al-Baqara: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” and: “So whoever sights the month, let him fast it”, and that fasting is for man’s good: “But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.” Fasting is offered to God, as a Hadith says: “All the work of the son of Adam is multiplied, the good is ten times as much, to seven hundred times, God Almighty said: Except for fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward it, he leaves his desires and his food for My sake…”.
Fasting is accompanied by three basic features: repentance, prayer, and giving. Prophet Joel says: “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness…” The times of fasting are an opportunity for man to turn to himself, hold himself accountable, and regret sins, transgressions, and iniquities he has committed, so his heart hastens to offer sincere repentance to God that may change his life and return him to the right path. It is beneficial for fasting and prayer to be combined, as fasting is an opportunity to draw closer to God through the conversation of prayer. I remember words saying: “Fasting is always associated with prayer… Fasting without prayer is repression and deprivation, but with prayer, it turns into a spiritual release of the soul.” In fasting, a person also feels his weakness, hunger, and thirst, which casts a flash of mercy in his heart towards the poor, the needy, and the suffering; so he begins to do good deeds of mercy with every person he meets. St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople, says: “If you fast without giving alms, this work will not be counted as fasting.” Thus, we find that acts of mercy, goodness, and giving crown the forehead of the fasting person before God. Blessed fasting to all of you, and… stories about beautiful Egypt never end!
The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
