Candi's Corner: Wanderlust and Passions

To answer the question, I'll take help from Rev. George Mastrantonis, who wrote in his article about the Institute of Lent--posted on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website:

Let us then examine the meaning of fasting, which became an Institute of the Church. Fasting means the total abstinence from foods, as the original Greek word in the Bible, nesteia, literally means. The word fasting today is used for selection of foods and a limiting of their quantity. Fasting also can mean eating once a day bread, salt and water, after sunset. Although the period of Lent appeals to the function of man as a whole in repentance, self-examination, alms-giving, relationship with people with whom one is at odds, attitudes toward life, the abstinence from foods plays a vital role in the life of the Christian. The quantity and kinds of foods selected for this period of Lent help control carnal desires and develop discipline and a pious life. Fasting from foods is not a virtuous activity in itself, but a means for its achievement

Here is a link to the full article if you are interested.

An important thing to remember though is that fasting is not meant to get you sick or kill you, but merely to deprive you of some of life pleasures and things you take for granted. Lent humbles your body, and by doing so connects it with your soul. This is what Timothy of Alexandria says in Canon 8:
"Fasting was devised in order to humble the body. If, therefore, the body is already in a state of humbleness and illness or weakness, the person ought to partake of as much as he or she may wish and be able to get along with food and drink"

This makes it clear that although fasting traditions exist, the Church agrees that to "each according to his ability" concept should be applied.

So what makes Great Lent great?

Well for one the length of the fast period, and for the second the season it falls in. Easter--Pascha in Greek-- is the core of Christianity, celebrating the resurrection of Christ and erasing the original sin. Thus giving us all a clean slate to choose our ways in life.

From my personal perspective, Lent has been a humbling and yet empowering experience. I continue to eat well adapting my favorite recipes to vegan versions. But just the fact that during Great Lent I think more about what to eat, read more ingredients labels to see if I can have a certain food item, compress my craving for chocolate and change my eating routines, I am inclined to pray more and thank God for His many blessings more often. I find myself more calm, more disposed to enjoy life's small pleasures, more aware of the situation of those less fortunate than myself and by thus dedicating more time and resources to help others. It is as if my heart grows bigger when my stomach is less full. It is when I catch sniffs of barbecue scents and realize that I can't have any that I am reminded of the many starving people of the world. When I pass by the gelato store, wish I could have some and then walk away without any, that I think of the many kids all over the world that never tasted ice cream. It is when I feel that I've settled for a an apple for dessert instead of the delicious cheese cake,that I realize how beautiful, good tasting and healthy this apple is. It is through self-deprivation that I reach awareness, and this awareness,in return, empowers me.