Comparative Theology (Protestantism (Part 8))
from St Mark Sermons Hosted by St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church
Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the differences between fasting practices in Protestantism and the Orthodox Church, highlighting fasting’s role as a spiritual discipline and communal act in Orthodoxy. He explains how Protestant churches generally view fasting as a private matter without fixed communal fasts, contrasting this with the Orthodox emphasis on both private and communal fasting tied to church seasons. Fr. Matthias discusses biblical examples of communal fasting, the spiritual purpose behind fasting, and the balance between personal discipline and community worship. He outlines the Coptic fasting calendar, including the Nativity fast, Ninevites fast, Great Fast, Apostles fast, and fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays, explaining their spiritual significance and varying levels of strictness. He encourages gradual growth in fasting practices under pastoral guidance, emphasizing that fasting supports spiritual focus and self-control rather than guilt or exclusion from communion.
Embed this episode
No transcript yet.