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Shorter Rules

St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925

Rule 130: How Must We Fast When a Fast is Necessary in Order to Fulfil One of the Demands…

Since the Lord says: “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness,”1 everything that contributes to godliness brings danger with it if it is not done with willingness and zeal. Accordingly it is not without danger when the faster fasts unwillingly; but to fast on the occasion of such needs as these2 is necessary, for the apostle has told us of this also in addition to his other good actions for our instruction, “In fastings oft.”3

Notes

  1. Mt. v. 6.
  2. R. adds “et maxime cum desideramus aliquid impetrare a Domino.”
  3. 2 Cor. xi. 27†.

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