The Christian’s primary need, especially in these difficult and wicked days, is to return to Jesus.
We are in a state of spiritual war more intense and more important than the World War.
Let us first of all break our passions with the weapon of the fast and the power of the prayers of the Church, so that we may enter into longing for God and subdue longing for this world.
The fast places us in a struggle between the Lord and His enemy, the Devil.
Let us ally with the Lord through our struggle of fasting, so that we may enjoy the joy of the resurrection at the longed-for time of Pascha.
Metropolitan Ephraim