Fasting is not a mere bodily virtue

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III








why should we concentrate on the body? Is fasting a virtue for the body alone?

Fasting is not a mere bodily virtue:

Fasting is not merely a virtue for the body apart from the soul, because any virtue requires the participation of the soul.

What then is the role of the body in fasting? And what is the role of the soul?

True fasting is a spiritual act primarily taking place inside the heart.


The function of the body in fasting is to prepare the soul or rather to disclose the soul's affection.