Metropolitan Antony: Refusal of fasting leads to loss of faith

Metropolitan Antony (Pakanych). Photo: Orthodox Life

On June 15, 2025, Metropolitan Antony stated that abandoning the church fast leads to a loss of faith. The Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said this in a commentary to the resource "Orthodox Life".

According to the metropolitan, the church fast is not just a tradition but an important means of spiritual discipline. "In everyday life, we often let ourselves relax, allowing things that benefit neither the soul nor the body. Fasting helps us focus on what truly matters, let go of the unnecessary, and strengthen ourselves spiritually," he emphasized.

Metropolitan Antony noted that in recent years, some have begun to believe that Peter's Fast is not obligatory, especially in difficult times. However, as the metropolitan asserts, this is deceit. "Those who fasted during the Great Fast will fast now, and those who seek excuses were not diligent before," he added.

According to the bishop, the promotion of "broad views" on the traditions of the Church and the desire to simplify spiritual life lead to spiritual cooling and distancing from God.

The UOC Сhencellor also warned against a dangerous trend: "When a person treats the traditions of their Church with arrogance and without love, this is already a sign of little faith," said the bishop, recalling the Gospel words: "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much" (Luke 16:10).

He emphasized that step by step, concession by concession, a person can unknowingly distance themselves from the Church. "This is both a tragedy and a warning for all of us," concluded the metropolitan, wishing the faithful patience, fidelity to the canons, and love for God during the days of Peter's Fast.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Peter's Fast began for the Orthodox.

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