Catechism: Fasting, Freedom, and the Music of Love

Fasting is about much more than changing what we eat: it is part of the Church's training in freedom. Drawing on Scripture, the ascetic tradition, and the image of musicians learning to listen, restrain themselves, and play in harmony, Fr. Anthony explores how fasting retrains our desires so that they no longer rule us. The goal is not deprivation or impressive self-control, but the freedom to love, to live in communion, and to join the beautiful music God is making of His creation. This is the recording of the class given at Christ the Saviour in Anderson SC on 9/16/2026. You can read an essay based on this talk at orthoanalytika.org.