H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon this evening during the Wednesday meeting from the Church of Saint Demiana and Saint Abanoub in Vienna, Austria. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels and through the online C.O.C channel of the Church’s Media Center.

His Holiness continued the series: “Specialized Chapters”, and today he spoke on the topic “Fasting and Principles for Personal Life,” reading a passage from Isaiah chapter 58, verses 6 and 7. He pointed out that the work of fasting is receiving grace.

Pope Tawadros explained that the Nativity Fast is distinguished by two elements:

1. The Kiahk Praises: During the month of Kiahk, we speak a lot about Virgin Mary from one perspective—obedience. Therefore, we praise her morning and evening throughout the month. Saint Augustine says: “We do not bless our Mother the Virgin because she carried Christ in her womb; we bless our Mother the Virgin because before she carried Christ in her womb, she carried Him in her heart.”
2. On the Sundays of Kiahk, in the Gospel of the Liturgy, we read and study the first chapter of the Gospel of our teacher Saint Luke.

His Holiness also gave a spiritual exercise: to read the Book of Exodus during the Nativity Fast, studying its events—the most famous of which is the Burning Bush.

His Holiness extracted four principles for personal life from today’s chapter:

1. Renew your relationship with God through repentance.
   Repentance is not merely feelings, but a renewal of the covenant with God. Fasting is a change of direction and an awareness of one’s sin and shortcomings.
   Saint John Chrysostom says: “Fasting is not abstaining from food; fasting is abstaining from sin.”
2. Be freed from harshness and be filled with mercy.
   “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
   His Holiness explained that during the praises, when we transition from one hoos to another, we say: “Amen. Alleluia. Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison.”
   The first Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) means: “Lord, deliver me from the hardness of heart.”
   The second means: “Fill my heart with mercy.”
   The third means: “Teach me to show mercy.”
3. Cast out selfishness from your life, and remove the love of having the greater portion.
   “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:7)
   Fasting helps us set our priorities. Saint Basil the Great says: “If you do not satisfy the hungry, do not say that you are fasting, for the table you close before the poor will be closed before you in heaven.”
4. Transform your fasting into a way of life.
   Fasting is a period that reshapes you into a new life, a period of true worship:
   “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily.” (Isaiah 58:8)
   Your relationships with people will become radiant, and it will reflect upon your health, giving you peace of mind. Saint Macarius the Great says: “When you fast and pray, let your heart be a temple for God, not merely an empty kitchen.”

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