"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].

Such is the Church's enlightenment of believers by the Spirit of Christ during the time of abstinence. Here the power of God descends upon man's effort to enter into union with God and meets man at the moment of struggle with the passions. That which is inaccessible to man in overcoming sin invisibly completes grace with its invincible power.

CONCLUSION

According to the rule of the Church, bodily fasting is obligatory for a Christian at certain times and days of the year. Spiritual fasting from passions should be a universal and uninterrupted podvig.

Fasting leads to domination over the passions, forms a background of purity in the soul and strengthens love for God and people.

As long as the soul is morally intemperate and darkened, it is impossible for it to distinguish in itself the mental diabolical pretexts from the natural work of its own thinking. Only against the background of the soul, purified by the grace of fasting, are the action of the personal mind and the devil's mental attachments clearly visible. A person is then able to contradict the enemy's pretexts and drive them away by invoking the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual fasting begins with keeping the mind clean and repelling passionate mental raids. With purity of mind, a person does not have agitated feelings and desires are not disturbed. Deep inner peace and silence reign in it.