Pope Shenouda III
The fast that the Prophet Joel ordered is a clear example:He said: “Gird yourselves and lament, you priests; ... Come, lie all night in sackcloth, You who minister to my God; ... Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly. “ (Joel l:13,14) “Now, therefore," says the Lord, "Turn to Me with all your heart, ... Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly ... Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, "Spare Your people, O Lord, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, `Where is their God?' “ (Joel 2:12-17).
