What does true Christian fasting really mean?

In this Orthodox homily, we conclude a three-part reflection on the pillars of the Christian life: prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, with a powerful focus on fasting as medicine for the soul, as taught by St. John Chrysostom.

Too often, fasting is reduced to food alone. But the Church reminds us that the true fast is a fast from sin, especially the sins of gossip, slander, pride, anger, and careless speech—sins that are especially tempting during the holiday season.

Drawing from the Gospel of the woman bent over for 18 years, this homily reveals how sin and the passions spiritually cripple us, and how Christ offers healing, freedom, and restoration when we cooperate with His grace.

📖 Topics include:

Why fasting is not optional for Christians

St. John Chrysostom on fasting as spiritual medicine

How gossip and speaking ill of others break the fast

The connection between pride, judgment, and sinful speech

Practical steps to fast with the mouth, mind, and heart

How fasting leads to humility, peace, and freedom in Christ

As we journey toward Bethlehem during the Nativity Fast, we are invited to lay aside the heavy burdens of sin and stand upright before God—ready to glorify Him not only at Christmas, but at His glorious return.

☦️ “Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speech.” — St. John Chrysostom

00:00 Opening Prayer
00:24 Christ Is in Our Midst
00:37 The Three Pillars of the Christian Life
00:59 Why Fasting Is Not Optional
01:26 Fasting Is More Than Food
01:36 St. John Chrysostom: Fasting as Medicine
02:01 Fasting from Sinful Practices
02:24 Gossip and Speaking Ill of Others
03:02 Why Gossip Is So Common
03:41 How Gossip Breaks the Fast
04:01 Pride: The Root of Judgment
04:20 Fasting as Healing for the Soul
04:45 The Bent Woman in Today’s Gospel
05:20 Sin as Spiritual Crippling
05:36 Christ Offers Freedom and Healing
06:05 Why Fasting Works
06:31 The True Fast According to St. John Chrysostom
07:21 The Damage Caused by Sinful Speech
07:30 Three Practical Rules for the Tongue
07:47 Applying This to Daily Life
08:18 The Peace of Silence
08:40 Guarding Thoughts Before Words
09:16 How to Respond When Others Gossip
09:47 Cleaning Up Our Language
10:21 The Connection Between Food and Speech
10:33 Leaving Sin Behind on the Way to Bethlehem
10:49 Standing Upright Before God
11:12 Final Doxology

For more please visit https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnmelkite & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest.

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