Fasting is the food of the soul. Indeed, just as food can make the body fat, so fasting strengthens the soul, makes it lighter, elevates it spiritually and stimulates it towards the desire of the heavenly, making it despise the pleasures and enjoyments of this life. Just as ships that are not heavily loaded can cross the seas more quickly, while those that are heavily loaded are sinking, so it is fasting, by making our minds light, enables us to cross the sea of the present life with ease, to turn our minds to heaven and be moved by heavenly goods and pay no attention to the present happenings, but despise them as they are shadows and dreams.
Saint John the Chrysostom
Translated by Nick Stergioy
