Saint Aphrahat on Fasting

I know, I know; it is a little early to be anticipating Lent, but since I will be fasting as part of the Spiritual Exercises I am doing some reading to prepare, including a catechesis on fasting by Saint Aphrahat the Persian on various ways of fasting and mortifying the passions.

St. Ephrem, St. Isaac, St. Aphrahat

A pure fast is excellent before God and is guarded as a treasure in heaven. And it is a weapon against the evil one and a shield intercepting the arrows of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16). And I have not said this according to my way of thinking, but according to the Holy Books which have shown us beforehand that the fasting was a helper in all times for those who have fasted truly. For fasting, my beloved, was not only this abstaining from bread and water, but many are the observances of fasting.

For there is he who fasts from bread and water until he will hunger and thirst.

And there is he who fasts to remain in virginity, who hungers but does not eat; who thirsts but does not drink; and this fast is more excellent.

And for he who fasts in sexual abstinence, it is also fasting.

And there is he who fasts from flesh, wine and various foods.

And there is he who fasts to put up a barrier to his mouth so that he will not speak hateful words.

And there is he who fasts from anger and controls his inclination so that he is not vanquished.

And there is he who fasts from possessions so that he may empty himself for his work.

And there is he who fasts from various kinds of mattresses so that he will be vigilant in prayer.

And there is he who, in affliction, fasts from the things of this world so that he will not be injured by the enemy.

And there is he who fasts that he may mourn, so that he may be pleasing in the affliction to his Lord.

And there is he who gathers all these things together and makes these a single fast.

As in the case of someone who fasts from nourishment until he becomes hungry—once he has fasted from eating and from drinking, he is called an abstainer, but if he takes a little food and drink, he breaks his fast:—so a man who fasts from all these, and if he breaks at times on of these things, again his fast will no longer be reckoned for him. Whoever breaks one of these things, his fast will not be counted, as in the case of the one who eats and drinks greedily. And he who as a result of his hunger happens to break his fast, his sin is not great; but one who abstained from all these things and has proceeded to break one or other of these things, his sin is great and not small.

St Aphrahat the Persian. From Demonstration 3, On Fasting.