“Are You Truly Fasting? | The Hidden Meaning of Great Lent in the Malankara Orthodox Church

By Orthodox TV | Mar 04, 2026

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What is the true purpose of fasting in the Orthodox Church?

Is fasting simply about abstaining from food, or is it something much deeper—something that heals the human soul?

In this video, we explore the profound spiritual teaching of the Orthodox Christian tradition that understands fasting as ascetic therapy for the soul. Rooted in Holy Scripture, the teachings of the Apostles, and the wisdom of the early Church Fathers, fasting is not merely a religious practice but a spiritual medicine that restores the human person to communion with God.

The Orthodox Church teaches that humanity was created for union with God, but through the fall, the passions—such as pride, anger, greed, and gluttony—wounded the human heart. Through ascetic disciplines like fasting, prayer, repentance, watchfulness, and almsgiving, the believer begins the journey of spiritual healing and transformation.

In this study, we will examine:

• The biblical foundations of fasting

• Why the early Church practiced fasting

• The teachings of St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom, and other Church Fathers

• How fasting helps overcome the passions and cultivate self-control

• The connection between fasting, prayer, and repentance

• How ascetic discipline leads believers toward theosis—participation in the divine life of God

Scripture teaches us:

1 Corinthians 9:27

“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

The Fathers of the Church remind us that fasting is not only about what we eat, but also about how we live. True fasting means turning away from sin, practicing humility, caring for the poor, and deepening our life of prayer.

As St. John Chrysostom taught:

“Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.”

Through this video, you will discover why the Orthodox Church calls fasting a spiritual medicine, guiding believers toward repentance, purification, and the restoration of the human soul.

Ultimately, fasting is a path toward transformation—a journey that prepares the faithful to encounter the living Christ and to grow into the fullness of the Christian life.

Topics Covered

• Orthodox theology of fasting

• Ascetic spirituality in the early Church

• Biblical teachings on self-discipline

• Patristic wisdom on prayer and repentance

• The healing of the soul through spiritual discipline

Reflection Question

How can fasting, prayer, and repentance help us grow closer to God and overcome the passions that separate us from Him?

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