Pope Shenouda III
Fasting of the whole nations
The most outstanding of these fasts was the one undertaken by the whole population in distress, during the reign of Queen Esther, seeking God's mercy (Esther 4:3,16). They fasted in lamentation and dressed in "sackcloth with ashes" until the Lord hearkened and saved them.
Whole population also fasted at a call from Ezra, the priest, by the river Ahava, in humility to God. (Ezra 8:21,23). Together with Nehemiah, they “Assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads.” (Neh 9:1).
