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Wednesday + Friday * Also this is an extension of the Jewish tradition of fasting on Tuesday/Thursday. AFAIK, the only reason the Church changed it was simply
by treehau5 10y ago
Wednesday + Friday *
Also this is an extension of the Jewish tradition of fasting on Tuesday/Thursday. AFAIK, the only reason the Church changed it was simply to distinguish themselves from the Jews during the height of the Judiazing heresey.
- athenot 10y agoFriday fasting is a remembrance—and to a certain extent, identification—with the cruxifiction. Mild discomfort to commemorate a much stronger act of self-denial. It's documented as early as the 3rd century by Clement of Alexandria (Stromata VI.75) but as you point out it's a logical extension of a practice that was integrat to the Jewish tradition.
- Mikeb85 10y agoWednesday fasting is to remember the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Friday fasting to remember the Crucifixion. And of course there's fasting periods as well as weeks you don't fast at all. Monastics also fast an extra day of the week (Mondays), in addition to eating a more restrictive diet in general.