The liturgical writings of the Holy Fathers and Teachers of the Church consider fasting not in the ordinary narrow sense of abstinence only from food and passions, but also as an inclination towards all virtues. Fasting, according to the teaching of the hymn-singers of the Church, is the same as experiencing a complete, all-encompassing upheaval of one's personal mood and completely turning to the Lord. In other words, fasting is asceticism and a radical change in the entire structure of external and internal life, the overcoming of sin with all its consequences.

The phraseology of the stichera and canons of the Lenten Triodion is incomparable in its picturesqueness, simplicity, sincerity and wondrous grace-filled power. Speech here flows freely, in a wide stream, without any far-fetched ponderous artificiality, and strikes the listeners to the depths of their souls with grace-filled energy

Let us recount some excerpts from this speech concerning: a) the morally regenerating and b) the grace-filled significance of fasting.

And

"How beautiful and great is Lent! – exclaim the hymn-singers of the Church. "What grace from God! What a wondrous source of heavenly blessings for those who fast intensely! He is a time of podvig, the extinguisher of all passions, the reviver of a tender disposition, right thoughts, a pure life, the hour of the triumph of the spirit over the flesh, the improvement of people. The Lord Himself gave the time of fasting to the warm conversion of sinners from passions and tender service to God. Often in one day of fasting salvation is acquired for all ages" [75].

"In the kingdom of sin and the power of wickedness, bodily food is delighted, and carnal desires are not despised. From the time of the sacrament of the cross, fasting is revered by the Savior, abstinence shines and prayer is lifted up. From them is born heavenly virtue and the torment of demons over people is extinguished" [76].

"Fasting is a sacred institution for the soul, a way of acquiring salvation, a struggle for virtue, God's reward to everyone what he deserves according to his deeds. Crowns are woven for Christ's soldiers who labor in fasting. Impassibility is born from fasting. He is the grace-filled spring of souls, the guardian of purity, the call to repentance and the flower of repentance. What language will express lenten feats in the Spirit... and the wealth of goods that flow from it! Fasting is the queen of virtues. "It quenches the boiling of passions, reconciles those who have sinned with God, cleanses the body with non-eating, the soul with tears, and the spirit with abstinence, gives the ability to fulfill God's will and meet the Pure Lord in radiant purity" [77]. Here "the God-given, blessed time of fasting has shone, the beauty of Lenten has come, and it emits rays of repentance to all who demand God's mercy. The deepest darkness of laziness recedes from people. At this time of virtues, darkened by sins, they embark on the kindest path of purification, concentrate on Divine desires alone and are saturated with luminous purity, radiant all-night prayer and pure love for God and people" [78].

"Fasting cleanses the spiritual senses from the filth of sins, unleashes the temptation of bitter sin and sinful duty, and affirms holy thoughts" [79]. "He is the intercessor of the eternally blessed life, the treasure of the fathers, the mother of all who have served Christ, the preparation for the transmigration to heavenly Zion, the flight from the burning of hell, the educator of the fasting of the courage of Job, the gentleness of Jacob, the faith of Abraham, the chastity of Joseph, and the valor of David" [80].

"Accepting fasting with ardent zeal, diligence and love moderates the heat of sins" [81], creates the constancy of holy aspirations [82]. A person who fasts in such a mood "does not dare to rise up under demonic temptation. The Guardian Angels of human life co-exist with intense love for the faster" [83]. "The Lord Himself, the Lover of Mankind, rejoices in the ascent of people to the height of virtues, in their overcoming of passions, and rejoices in their approach to paradise" [84].

The noted moral significance of fasting can be summarized in a brief conclusion: fasting cleanses the soul of passion, subordinates the flesh to the spirit and affirms in a person bright thoughts, feelings, aspirations and skills.

B

The visible improvement of the fasting person depends not only on his natural efforts, but also on the manifestation of grace [85]. He who is enriched by abstinence is enriched by the Divine, and is clothed in the bright garment of grace and true nobility. The grace of fasting abundantly emits cleansing rays [86] and adorns the souls of fasting people with radiant splendor, tears of tenderness, the enlightenment of prayer and love, the strength of good courage, and the all-pervading fear of God [87]. Those who fast are granted from above the subtlety of the spiritual sense of grace, boldness to God, and the fattening of the heart with tenderness [88].

As those who have torn the robe of passions with weeping, they receive from the Holy Spirit. The Divine garment of justification,[89] they enjoy the brightest feelings, are illumined by God, and see the power of God in their purity and sweet peace of soul[90].

The Lord the Saviour opens the entrances to God to them through the granting of the power of complete conversion from sin to holiness [91] and the forgiveness of their sins [92].