By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
Clean Monday is the first day of Great Lent. The Orthodox Church prompts us to follow the path of virtue, to remain steadfast in our faith, to pray, to be merciful, and to fast. It is a way to move away from any feeling of resentment, cultivate and practise virtue, and be less selfish.
The value of fasting is underestimated by many who believe that diet is only a matter of body health. The fact, of course, that those who make such claims seek to justify them by misinterpreting various passages of the Bible or introducing other non-existent ones as existent is certainly tantamount to heresy.
This is tangible proof that fasting is also a spiritual issue for human beings. The practise of fasting, according to Saint Basil the Great, rises from the first commandment God gave to Adam and Eve and that is why it is so important. In addition, Jesus Christ spoke of fasting. However, he set out the length of time of Lent, which is 40 days.
People who say that avoid slandering others, resenting our human beings, and being hypocritical, is more important than abstinence from certain foods are right. However, they must be willing to restrain themselves from eating too much food, struggle, make sacrifices and not to be indulging their desires.
We are leaving the way open to everyone, who wants to follow the path of virtue. Those who wish to follow it with faith, humility, inner peace, fasting, self-restraint, clear thoughts, good deeds, and are willing to forgive their brothers and sisters for their mistakes are always welcome.
Source: Church of Cyprus