Nativity Fast

Euthymios · Post by **Euthymios** » Sat 5 January 2008 9:56 pm

I Stated: Last Lent was so severe for me, my brain was so starving for protein, I almost had to be hospitalized.

Yes, and I constantly felt faint in public. I think non-meat sources do possibly contain the full chain of amino acids and protein, but for me it takes enormous amounts and probably an expert cook in vegan or vegetarian recipes.

timotheos_tdh · Post by **timotheos_tdh** » Sun 6 January 2008 12:00 am

Euthymios wrote:
Last Lent was so severe for me, my brain was so starving for protein, I almost had to be hospitalized. And this Nativity has been no walk in the park. I e-mailed two priests I know explaining this and they never responded. Next Lent I have to have some kind of economia. That's all there is too it.

Dear Euthymios,

I would suggest you find a spiritual father who can guide you as to what is appropriate, and what if any economy may be granted in your particular circumstances. Due to my own health conditions, I have been advised by my spiritual father quite clearly how to fast, and in my case some economy is necessary. The fasting rules are handed down to us as a goal to strive for, that we may use them to focus less on food and more on things spiritual and our own spiritual life. We should feel some sorrow when we cannot live up to these rules in their strictness, but economy (economia) can and should be applied in cases of great necessity. This decision on whether or not to apply economy is our spiritual father's alone, not ours. We should ask our spiritual father what is best for us, and then be obedient to it to the best of our ability, and confess when we do not reach even this meager expectation of us. I hope this post is of some benefit to you and wish you much joy on the upcoming glorious Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ!

newly-illumined Timothy

GOCPriestMark · Post by **GOCPriestMark** » Sun 6 January 2008 1:25 am

Euthymios wrote:
It just seems like they had to accomodate all the alcoholics and give them some relief.

Will you also say this is why our Lord turned water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana?

GOCPriestMark · Post by **GOCPriestMark** » Sun 6 January 2008 1:45 am

Euthymios wrote:
This makes me think the fast rules are man-made because whoever estbalished then didn't know anything about nutrition or dietary laws.

Think what you want, but I have never heard of anyone dieing from keeping the Orthodox fasts. The rules are minimal as is seen by the lives of so many saints.

You can throw this kind of accusation at someone:

Euthymios wrote:
What did he do? Did he not let you have your way and spoil you like American's are accustomed to?

And yet you come very close to accusing the Orthodox Church of making fasting rules just to harm us.

Our bodies are liars.

Timotheos_tdh is right though, you need to find someone to work with you. It's not something that works well over the internet. Try to slow down on the Kool-Aid® too.

Euthymios · Post by **Euthymios** » Sun 6 January 2008 2:19 am

Euthymios wrote:
What did he do? Did he not let you have your way and spoil you like American's are accustomed to?

Isn't it a violation of the rules to post a comment from another thread? And you took me out of context at that.

"Our bodies are liars".

So if my body tells me I have cancer does that mean its lying? Our brains don't lie. My brain is starving for protein. You have no idea what I go through during these fasts.

"Timotheos_tdh is right though, you need to find someone to work with you. It's not something that works well over the internet. Try to slow down on the Kool-Aid® too.[/quote]

I did, and they never responded. Its too late now.

Euthymios · Post by **Euthymios** » Sun 6 January 2008 2:25 am

"Think what you want, but I have never heard of anyone dieing from keeping the Orthodox fasts. The rules are minimal as is seen by the lives of so many saints."

MY RESPONSE: Most people are not as strict as I am. And most have good and balanced cooks and nutritious vegan meals. I feel faint and my anxiety and depression increases.

Another thing, the fast pushes fish over and over again. Fish is good for the brain and other things, but this also leads me to believe its man-made because some fish is high in mercury and other cancer causing compounds. Whoever designed this had health as the last thing on their mind. We can have candy, wine/alcohol, cigarettes, etc, but no meat. Why did they pick fish as opposed to chicken anyway. I'm trying to understand their mentality. I really am.

Euthymios · Post by **Euthymios** » Sun 6 January 2008 5:33 am

I sent this letter to a priest who never responded to the fast concern I sent him several days ago:

Evlogeite,

I had a medical/psychological issue several days ago regarding the fast. I explained how my brain needs protein. These fasts are killing me. Everytime I turn around we are fasting. I have blood type "O." A nutritionist told me that this blood type requires more protein then other types. When I don't get enough protein my depression, stress and anxiety intensifies. I almost had to be hospitalized last Lent. I feel faint in public, etc.

I am concerned you didn't show any concern for this. I don't live in a monastery where they cook healthy and balanced meals. Nor do I have a wife who cooks. I do the best I can.

I don't have a spiritual father. According to your position, everyone is apostate -- atleast around me. I am standing alone here and I'm going crazy because I have no support.

I am the final product of your ecclesiastical positions. I am the logical conclusion.

I can't even go to church because there are no valid churches within a several hundred mile radius. I have not communed since the first half of 2006.

P.S (not part of e-mail) On December 31st I landed in a mental clinic. I have been having brief crying episodes. My brain is starving for protein. These fasts are killing me. I don't even normally talk this much but something is very wrong with me right now. I am very angry, stressed and depressed right now. I am SO glad we only have one more day of this nighmare!

This is part of the reason I feel these fasts are man-made. Because whoever designed them didn't know a darn thing about nutrition and blood types.

They push lots and lots of wine -- catering to alcoholics and alcoholism

They push lots and lots of fish --known to contain mercury and other cancer causing compounds. Why not Turkey? Are the trying to kill us?

I went to my local store, when fish was allowed, looked at the tuna and sardine section, and they had a disclaimer posted there on the cancer causing compounds of fish.

I don't blame my problems entirely on the fasts. I have certain problems with depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Its just that these fasts intensify my depression, stress and anxiety. You have NO idea how horrible these fasts are for me. I receive no spiritual or physical benefit from them at all.