"Whoever fasts from food but the heart does not fast from anxiety and hatred, and the tongue speaks vanity, then this fasting is in vain. For fasting of the tongue is better than fasting of the mouth, and fasting of the heart is better than them both" (Saint Isaac the Syrian).

Next post “In fasting, there is a response to prayers. For during the period of fasting, you experience humility and reverence. You pray from the depths of your heart, with the spirit of faith” (H.H. Pope Tawadros II).