http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info A journey through our Orthodox faith as we live it every day Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:43:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/favicon.ico Copyright © Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog 2010 blogadmin@stjohndfw.info (Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog) blogadmin@stjohndfw.info (Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog) http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info 144 144 A journey through our Orthodox faith as we live it every day Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog blogadmin@stjohndfw.info no no http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/01/fasting-abundantly/ http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/01/fasting-abundantly/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:21:46 +0000 Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=1001 The idea that any Westerner has about fasting is strongly linked with renunciation, with giving-up, with sacrificing something for God. In the Eastern Orthodox Church however, fasting achieves a much richer meaning. Fasting is not only about giving-up, but it is actually more about gaining, about being able to reach things that are possible only through this spiritual exercise. In a legalistic understanding of salvation some believe that Christ has come on earth to fulfill a duty, to repair an offense that man has brought unto God. His sacrifice on the Cross satisfies this need and mankind enters again in God’s favors. From this perspective fasting is a similar symbol: a personal sacrifice that one makes to step back Continue reading]]> http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/01/fasting-abundantly/feed/ 3