The Apostles also fasted

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III



The Apostles also fasted

As Christ fasted in the New Testament, so did the Apostles who fulfilled the Lord’s commandment when He said: “When the bridegroom will be taken away from them, … then they will fast.” (Matt 9:15). Thus, the apostle’s fast is the oldest and first fast practiced by the Christian Church.
When the Apostle Peter was fasting and became so hungry that he longed to eat (Acts 10:10) the vision about the acceptance of gentile nations appeared to him. It was declared to him during his fast about the acceptance of these nations.
In his service to God, the Apostle St. Paul said: “In labours, in sleeplessness, in fastings;” (2 Cor 6:5), and elsewhere “In fastings often” (2 Cor 11:27). It was also said that he and Barnabas fasted together (Acts 14:23)