June 2023 Letter

Dear brethren,

With the approach of the Apostles’ fasting, we learn from the late Pope Shenouda about the importance of this fast:

“No one underestimates the fasting of the apostles, as it is the oldest fast known to the Christian Church in all its generations, and the Lord Christ referred to it by saying: “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9: 15).

Our fathers the apostles fasted as a beginning of their service, for the Lord Himself began His service by fasting for forty days on the mountain. The fast of the Apostles then, is a special fast for service and the church.

It was said about our teacher St. Peter that he fasted until: “he became very hungry and wanted to eat” (Acts 10: 10). In his hunger, he saw the heaven open and saw a vision about the acceptance of the gentiles.

As their fasting was accompanied by visions and Divine guidance, it was also accompanied by the work of the Holy Spirit and His coming. And the Bible says: “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia” (Acts 13: 2-4).

Important things characterized the apostles’ fast, including: fasting, prayer, service, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

We are pleased that the Holy Spirit works during fasting … and that the Divine call comes during fasting … and that the ordination of servants takes place during fasting as well … and that servants begin by fasting before starting the service.

There are fasts for repentance, such as the fast of the people of Nineveh, and like the fasts of self -humiliation that the book of Joel spoke about. And other fasts for specific requests, such as Esther’s fast. And fasts for exorcism, as the Lord said: “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17: 21). And fasts that we fast before every blessing we receive from the Lord, like the fasts that precede the sacraments such as baptism, chrismation, communion, and priesthood.

As for the apostles’ fasting, it is for the sake of service and the church, at least so that we may learn the necessity of fasting for service and its benefit to it. We fast in order for God to intervene in the service and help it, and we fast in order to serve while we are in a spiritual state, and being aware of our weakness …

How much we longed for this fast to come during the holy Fifty days ..”

May the blessings of this Holy fast and the blessings St. Mary & St. Mercurius be with us all.

Belleville, June 1, 2023

رسالة شهر يونيو ٢٠٢٣