Sunday, February 5, 2012 To all who are present with us this morning, Welcome, and Thank You for being here!

You May Find the Text of the Divine Liturgy beginning on the bo�om page 91 of the Service Book (gold embossed cross on the reddish brown cover) or in the green-spiral-bound book; sheet music can be found in the 8.5” x 11” large, spiral-bound booklet.

At the Kiss of Peace, our practice is for each of us to greet the person to our right and left with the bowing of our head, hands held in a prayerful clasp or crossed on the chest, while offering each other the Christian greeting, “Christ is in our midst!” and responding “He is and shall be!” Please remember that Holy Communion is reserved for those Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have appropriately prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and Confession to receive the Holy Mysteries of the Church. The bread (‘anti’doron-’in place’ of the gifts) which we share after Communion and at the end of the Liturgy is for all.

Please join us for “coffee and…” in Fellowship Hall

following the Divine Liturgy.

St. Michael’s Orthodox Christian Church 1182 Ashland St., Greensburg, PA 15601 Diocese of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

(See the back cover for detailed contact information.)

TROPARION of the RESURRECTION

(Tone 1)

The Mission of Our Church The mission of St Michael’s Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church is to tend the flock of our Lord Jesus Christ and to spread the Good News of Christ to those outside the flock. This mission is to be accomplished by a) living a full liturgical and sacramental life, b) proclaiming the Orthodox Christian faith to all people, c) providing effective charitable and social programs, and d) establishing strong spiritual leadership and resources.

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Sunday, February 5, 2012 Greeting: Christ is in our midst! Response: He is and

shall be!

Tone: 1 Eothinon: 1 Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily; Polyeuktos, patriarch of Constantinople; New-martyr Anthony of Athens; Venerable Theodosios; repose of Theodosios, archbishop of Chernigov.

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THE EPISTLE READING St. Paul to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:10-15)

T IMOTHY, MY SON, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my

sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation

THE HOLY BREAD OF OBLATION is offered… ...by Helen Porembka and Frank Porembka, Jr. in memory of FRANK

S. Porembka, Sr., FRANK J. and MARY Porembka, HELEN and GEORGE Kozar, Sr.; sister MARY Volchko, and brothers GEORGE, STEVE, MICHAEL and JOHN and their spouses; for health of sons FRANK Jr., DANIEL and wife, DAVID and wife, grandchildren MATTHEW, DANIELA, NATHANIEL, ANNA and SARAH; sister-in-law HELEN Kozar, nephew GEORGE Kozar; all our friends and parishioners of St. Michael’s, and for World Peace.

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THE HOLY GOSPEL According to St. Luke (18:10-14)

T HE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God,

I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” ________________________________________________________

PRAYERS OF OBLATION are offered… ...in memory of Archimandrites GEORGE M. Corry and JOHN

Namie, Archpriests JOHN Chromiak, PETER Felenchak and ANTHONY Bell, and Priest JOHN PAUL Pro.

...in memory of GEORGES and MARIETTE Charabaty by Zina Almalouf.

...in memory of THOMAS Abraham by Hugh Conley.

...in memory of MARGARETTA Anton by Stuart and Mary Johnson.

...in memory of ADELE Sam by Alice Sam.

...in memory of ANTOIN Munirji by the Munirji family. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

MEMORIAL PRAYERS will be prayed this morning... ...for the one-year memorial of the falling asleep in the Lord of the

servant of God, AFIFA Kanjo, offered by her daughter, Raymonda Chaho.

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MANY YEARS and... ...Happy Birthday to: LAURA Nicholas (2/5), BONNIE Sam

(2/5), NICHOLAS Wetzel (2/5), MARY Walters (2/7), RACHEL Capar (2/8), ANGIE King (2/8), MARK Nikoula (2/8), MICHAEL Pahnos (2/8), PETER Burczyk (2/9).

...Happy Anniversary to: MILAD Shaker and AMAL Philope (2/5), TIMOTHY and ANGIE King (2/6).

...Happy Baptism/Chrismation to: CORY Hetz (2/5), JULIANA Nosal (2/6), JOHN A. Nosal (2/10), JACQUELINE Topinka (2/10).

...Welcome to: ESTHER Sucisistina, the fiancé of NICKOLAS Hylva, who has just arrived in the United States with her brand new visa! Nick and Esther will be married here at St. Michael’s in the near future.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES…

...to WILLY and HEATHER Bitar, MITCHELL and MALLORY on the falling asleep in the Lord of Willy’s brother, the servant of God, BADIH Bitar, in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

May Badih’s memory be eternal. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

HOSPITAL, HEALTH CARE, ASSISTED LIVING, SURGERY and new additions to the prayer list…

...(call hospital patients before visiting --- they may have been discharged): DOLORES Asa, TRACY Barrack (Diana Lammert’s sister), IBRAHIM Chahin (Mayada Memari’s father), DANIEL Davis (kidney disease), WALTER Dydiw (home), CHRISTINA Gudzan (Redstone), ANNA Halferty, RONALD Hasnauer, PATRICIA Kwak, JUSTIN, EVELYN Mansour (Redstone), MICHAELENE McWhinney, Fr. MICHAEL Mihalick (friend of the Gajewski’s), NORMA Nicholas (Stone Brook Manor, Manor)), MICHAEL Pahnos, NICHOLAS Papas, BARBARA Preli (Diana Lammert’s mother), ALBERT Saloom (Westmoreland), PEGGY Stubbs (knee infection), MICHAEL Tatarka (Juniper Village, North Huntingdon), ANNA GRACE Todd, EDWARD Tony (Weatherwood Manor, Gbg), Fr. MICHAEL Totin, ZANA Varner (Jeanne Anton’s daughter).

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VOTIVE CANDLES for Health, Welfare and Salvation Health of Ruth Leavy Jeanne Anton Health of Mary Joseph Jeanne Anton Health of daughter, Zana Jeanne Anton Congratulations, Helen Joseph, on her Jeanne Anton new great-granddaughter Jeanne Anton God’s Blessings on Gus on his retirement Valerie, Brian, JJ & Brian Health of Dn. James & Suzanne Pat Krisner Health of wife, Betty Don Kushner Health of Lori, John & Larissa Mom & Dad Health of Dave, Emillie, Ethan & Dean Mom & Dad Health of Fr. John, Juliana & family The Kushners Health of Irene & Pete Papas The Kushners Health of Nick & Patty Papas The Kushners Health of Norma Nicholas The Kushners Health of Helen Joseph The Kushners Health of Nick & Mary Masterson The Kushners Health of Debbie Ryan The Kushners Health of Christina Gudzan The Kushners Health of brother, Steve The Kushners Health of Nick & Mary Masterson The Kushners Health & well-being of Gus, Koula Debbie Mavias Health & well-being of Nikki & family Debbie Mavias Health & well-being of Rhonda & family Debbie Mavias Health & well-being of Phil & family Debbie Mavias Health & well-being of Mary Gus & Debbie Mavias Health & well-being of Justin & Shannon - Gus & Debbie Mavias Health & well-being of Nicholas, Lou & Gisele - Gus & Debbie Mavias Health of sister, Nancy Horvath Rich & Harriet Mirilovich Health of Eva Stewart Laura Nicholas Health of sons Frank, Jr., Daniel, David & families- - - Helen Porembka Health of granddaughters Daniela & Anna — Helen Porembka Health of son David Helen Porembka Health of son Daniel Helen Porembka Health of son Frank, Jr. Helen Porembka Health of sister-in-law Helen Helen Porembka Health of nephew George Kozar Helen Porembka Special Intention Helen Porembka Health of Susan Alice Sam Health & well-being of Robert Alice Sam Health & successful outcome, Barbara Alice Sam God’s guidance, Alex Alice Sam Health of Christina Gudzan Alice Sam Health of Norma Nicholas Alice Sam Successful surgery & recovery– Gloria Alice Sam God’s help & guidance– Amy & Don Alice Sam Health & well-being– Fr. John & family Alice Sam Thank God for His blessings Alice Sam (cont.)

Special Intention Kate Sam Health of John Bober Anna Santone Health of Brian Bober Anna Santone Health of Jamil Samara Miriam Yazge Health of Very Rev. Alexander Atty Miriam Yazge Health of Fr. George Rados Miriam Yazge _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

VOTIVE CANDLES in Memoriam: “Memory Eternal” Eternal Memory– Dad, Miller Abraham Dana Abraham In memory of husband, Carmen Jeanne Anton In memory of granddaughter, Lizzy Jeanne Anton In memory of brother-in-law, Lee Anton Jeanne Anton Eternal Memory- Mother & Grandmother, Mary Volchko - - Connie, David, Nicole & Noelle Byers Eternal Memory -sister & Godmother, Helen Marie Ross - Connie, David, Nicole & Noelle Byers Eternal Memory, Aunt Helen Ridilla Connie, David, Nicole & Noelle In memory of Theodore James & Mary Ann - Dn. James & Pat In memory of Mom & Dad Seman Don, Betty, Lori & Dave In memory of Mom & Dad Kushner Don, Betty, Lori & Dave In memory of Joanne Kushner Miller Don, Betty, Lori & Dave In memory of Marguerite Seman Don, Betty, Lori & Dave Eternal memory, Mom & Dad Mirilovich Rich & Harriet Mirilovich Eternal memory– Frank S. Porembka, Sr. Wife, Helen Eternal memory for the departed Kozar & Porembka families Helen Porembka Memory eternal-Anna, Esau & Adele Sam - Alice Sam Memory of all departed loved ones Alice Sam In memory of Anthony Santone Anna Santone In memory of Nancy Bober Anna Santone In memory of Tekla Hlywa Anna Santone

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MEMORIAL WHEAT

Have you ever wondered about the process to prepare the wheat for a Memorial? It’s not really difficult. If you would like a lesson in “Wheat Preparing”, contact the office. A class will be scheduled once sufficient inter-est has been shown. Once you have completed the class, perhaps you’ll be willing to serve on the “Wheat Preparer” schedule! The more preparers we have, the less often any one person has to prepare wheat! _________________________________________________________

“GATHERING” OPPORTUNITIES of Which to take Special Note

Sun., February 19, 5:00 PM (at the home of Tom and Ina Abraham) “How to Answer the Tough Questions” Following an introduction to the topic by Fr. John, we will discuss our experience when we find ourselves challenged, at times by people and at times by our own thoughts, to come up with answers or at least responses, to life’s tough questions. The subject questions will be determined by the participants with the goal of the evening being growth in the Holy Spirit which manifests in our “light” shining a bit more brightly “before men.”

Wednesday, February 22, 6:30 PM (at the home of Adel and Sara Armanious) “How to Read the Bible” Using the Orthodox Study Bible introductory articles as the basic text, Fr. John will lead a discussion on Holy Scripture in our lives. The time together will have as a goal being a springboard into a Lenten Bible Study of St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. St. Paul’s Epistle to the members of the Church in Philippi will be a manageable Lenten endeavor for us as it is both joyful and short! Dates for the study will be the service-free Thursday evenings of the Fast.

Saturday, February 25, 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM (at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA) “A Pre-Lenten Mini-Retreat” We will depart St. Michael’s parking lot at 6:00 AM (stay tuned to the bulletin for travel details) in order to arrive at the Monastery around 8:00 AM. Divine Liturgy begins at 9:00 AM. Following lunch, an afternoon schedule of meeting and quiet time will conclude at 3:00 PM when we will travel back to St. Michael’s. The goal of this short pilgrimage will be to put the finishing touches on our preparation to enter the Bright Sadness of the Lenten Season.

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REMEMBER, the Second Week on this schedule May Change: ALWAYS USE THE MOST CURRENT BULLETIN!

Feb. 5 thru Feb. 11 - Fast-Free Week Sunday, February 5 - Publican & Pharisee - 8:45 AM - MATINS - 9:30 AM - Choir - 10:00 AM - DIVINE LITURGY - Church School Tuesday, February 7 - 9:00 AM - DIVINE LITURGY for Parthenios, bishop of Lampsakos Wednesday, February 8 - Fast-Free - 9:00 AM - DIVINE LITURGY for the Prophet Zachariah Thursday, February 9 - 7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal Friday, February 10 - Fast-Free - 9:00 AM - DIVINE LITURGY for Haralambos the Martyr Saturday, February 11 - 6:00 PM - GREAT VESPERS - St. Michael’s Day Dance - - immediately following Great Vespers until 10:00 PM _________________________________

TODAY’S SERVERS

(Sunday, February 5) Bread - Helen Porembka

Ushers - Joe Gazal Michele Murray Alex Simkovich Wayne Macuga Greeters - Dolly Maruschock Alex Simkovich Lock-up - Connie Byers Attendance Last Sunday: 131 Mortgage Balance: $405,871.70 ____________________________

February 12 through February 18 Sunday, February 12 - Prodigal Son - 8:45 AM - MATINS - 9:30 AM - Choir - 10:00 AM - DIVINE LITURGY - Church School Tuesday, February 14 - 9:00 AM - MATINS Thursday, February 16 - 7:00 AM - MATINS - 7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal Saturday, February 18 - 9:00 AM - DIVINE LITURGY Saturday of the Souls - 6:00 PM - GREAT VESPERS _________________________________ FELLOWSHIP HOUR

SCHEDULE “For even the Son of Man

did not come to be served, but to serve...” - Mk 10:42-47

All of us are given the opportunity to participate in the life of our church by taking care of a coffee hour. Four families each week will be teamed together to produce the weekly fellowship we enjoy following the Sunday Divine Liturgy. Host families are provided a list of suggested refreshments to make their preparations easier.

Today’s hosts: Gus & Valerie Flizanes Brian Flizanes Jeanne Anton Steve & Diana Lammert ________________________

To offer a Memorial: 1) Contact Debbie in the church office (or Fr. John) at least one month in advance so that Memorial Wheat can be arranged, 2) write “Memorial” on an envelope, along with the date of the memorial, 3) write the names the dead to be commemorated on the envelope and 4) enclose a $25.00 donation to St. Michael’s Church. Memorials cannot be offered on certain Sundays so it is important that the date is cleared with Fr. John in advance of your planning.

The people listed are commemorated during the prayers of the Preparation of the Gifts (Prothesis) and in the Great Entrance.

Please plan ahead for your Memorials. For scheduling purposes, one month advance notice is ideal, though if you know the date of a memorial far in advance, you can schedule now for any time in the future).

To offer the Holy Bread without baking it yourself: 1) write “Holy Bread” on an envelope, 2) write the date you want the prayers said on the envelope, 3) write the names of the living and the dead to be commemorated on the envelope and 4) enclose a $25.00 donation to the Antiochian Women. The people listed are commemorated during the prayers of the Preparation of the Gifts (Prothesis) and in the Great Entrance. Please plan ahead for your Bread Offering. For scheduling purposes, one month advance notice is ideal, though if you know the date of a memorial far in advance, you can schedule now for any time in the future. NOTE: If YOU prepare either the wheat or Holy Bread, you do not need to pay the $25 fee.

CALEB’S CUPBOARD - Toiletries Also Needed In addition to the food you have been bringing to “Caleb’s Cupboard,” We’ve been informed of the need for other items - like toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and toilet paper. Items collected will be distributed to the poor in our area through the Greensburg Christian Laymen’s Corps (Urania Ave.). A small emergency supply will be kept in a room downstairs for distribution in “emergency” when the Layman’s Corps is not open. Members of our church parish may also access that emergency supply for themselves and their neighbors. Help us ease some suffering with your donation. __________________________________________________________

Our CHURCH SECURITY ALARM is turned on automati-cally every evening and 10:00 PM (though you may find it armed at an earlier time). If you are in the building at 10:00 PM, you will hear a warning signal which let’s you know you have two minutes to punch your security code into the keypad to allow you an additional hour before the alarm is armed. Questions about this should be addressed to Fr. John. _____________________________________________________

Enjoy Great Music and Fellowship

St. Valentine’s Day Dance Saturday, February 11

Following 6:00 PM Vespers

St. Michael’s Fellowship Hall

Dance to the Big Band Sound of the

Wayne Macuga Orchestra Refreshments served

Admission: $10

BYOB & table snacks (if you wish)

Valerie Flizanes Chairman

724-863-4443

Christian Sam Treasurer

724-216-5231

Lisa Stewart Vice-Chairman

724-864-7607 Peterina Gunther Recording Sec’y

724-424-5151

Cheryl Baum Corres’ding Sec’y

724-420-1673 Constance Byers 724-836-1567

William Eger 724-838-7577 Christine Mansour 724-832-3411

Joel Gazal 412-554-0627 Elias Memari 724-837-5443

Michele Murray 724-837-2244 Dianne Anton 724-733-4005

2012 Parish Council

PLEASE UPDATE OR ADD INFORMATION to my record: NAME: _____________________________________________ NEW/CHANGE INFORMATION: _____________________ _____________________________________________________ ADD/CHANGE MY E-MAIL: __________________________

St. Michael’s Orthodox Church Church Phone 724-834-1311 fax 724-834-1912 Email church@stmichaels.comcastbiz.net Website http://stmichaelsgreensburgpa.org

Office Hours Tues & Thurs, 9 AM to 3 PM —- Wednesday, 9 AM to 1 PM

Archpriest John Nosal Deacon James Krisner Home 724-837-5113 Home 724-832-7864 Mobile 724-244-1228 E-mail dnjas@comcast.net E-mail frjno@comcast.net

THE RULES OF FASTING From The Lenten Triodion by Archim. Kallistos Ware and Mother Mary, pp. 35-37 Within this developed pattern of Lent, what precisely do the rules of fasting demand? Neither in ancient nor in modern times has there ever been exact uniformity, but most Orthodox authorities agree on the following rules: (1) During the week between the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee and that of

the Prodigal Son, there is a general dispensation from all fasting. Meat and animal products may be eaten even on Wednesday and Friday.

(2) In the following week, often termed the 'Week of Carnival', the usual fast is kept on Wednesday and Friday. Otherwise there is no special fasting.

(3) In the Week before Lent, meat is forbidden, but eggs, cheese and other dairy prod-ucts may be eaten on all days, including Wednesday and Friday.

(4) On weekdays (Monday to Friday inclusive) during the seven weeks of Lent, there are restrictions both on the number of meals taken daily and on the types of food per-mitted; but when a meal is allowed, there is no fixed limitation on the quantity of food to be eaten.

(a) On weekdays in the first week, fasting is particularly severe. According to the strict observance, in the course of the five initial days of Lent, only two meals are eaten, one on Wednesday and the other on Friday, in both cases after the Liturgy of the Presanctified. On the other three days, those who have the strength are encouraged to keep an absolute fast; those for whom this proves impracticable may eat on Tuesday and Thursday (but not, if possible, on Mon-day), in the evening after Vespers, when they may take bread and water, or per-haps tea or fruit-juice, but not a cooked meal. It should be added at once that in practice today these rules are commonly relaxed. At the meals on Wednesday and Friday xerophagy is prescribed. Literally this means 'dry eating'. Strictly in-terpreted, it signifies that we may eat only vegetables cooked with water and salt, and also such things as fruit, nuts, bread and honey. In practice, octopus and shell-fish are also allowed on days of xerophagy; likewise vegetable margarine and corn or other vegetable oil, not made from olives. But the following catego-ries of food are definitely excluded:

(i) meat; (ii) animal products (cheese, milk, butter, eggs, lard, dripping); (iii) fish (i.e. fish with backbones); (iv) oil (i.e. olive oil) and wine (i.e. all alcoholic drinks).

(b) On weekdays (Monday to Friday inclusive) in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth weeks, one meal a day is permitted, to be taken in the afternoon following Vespers, and at this one meal xerophagy is to be observed (42).

(c) Holy Week. On the first three days there is one meal each day, with xerophagy; but some try to keep a complete fast on these days, or else they eat only un-cooked food, as on the opening days of the first week.

On Holy Thursday one meal is eaten, with wine and oil (i.e. olive oil). On Great Friday those who have the strength follow the practice of the early

Church and keep a total fast. Those unable to do this may eat bread, with a little water, tea or fruit-juice, but not until sunset, or at any rate not until after the veneration of the Epitaphion at Vespers.

On Holy Saturday there is in principle no meal, since according to the ancient prac-tice after the end of the Liturgy of St. Basil the faithful remained in church for the reading of the Acts of the Apostles, and for their sustenance were given a little bread and dried fruit, with a cup of wine. If, as usually happens now, they return home for a meal, they may use wine but not oil; for on this one Saturday, alone among the Saturdays of the year, olive oil is not permitted.

The rule of xerophagy is relaxed on the following days: (1) On Saturdays and Sundays in Lent, with the exception of Holy Saturday, two main meals may be taken in the usual way, around mid-day and in the evening, with wine and olive oil; but meat, animal products and fish are not allowed. (2) On the Feast of the Annunciation (25 March) and Palm Sunday, fish is permitted as well as wine and oil, but meat and animal products are not allowed. If the Feast of the Annunciation falls on the first four days of Holy Week, wine and oil are permit-ted but not fish. If it falls on Great Friday or Holy Saturday, wine is permitted, but not fish or oil.

(3) Wine and oil are permitted on the following days, if they fall on a weekday in the second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth week:

(4) First and Second Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist (24 February) Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (9 March) Forefeast of the Annunciation (24 March) Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel (26 March) Patronal festival of the Church or Monastery

(4) Wine and oil are also allowed on Wednesday and Thursday in the fifth week, because of the vigil for the Great Canon. Wine is allowed - and, according to some authorities, oil as well - on Friday in the same week, because of the vigil for the Akathistos Hymn. It has always been held that these rules of fasting should be relaxed in the case of anyone elderly or in poor health. In present-day practice, even for those in good health, the full strictness of the fast is usually mitigated. Only a few Orthodox today attempt to keep a total fast on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the first week, or on the first three days in Holy Week. On weekdays - except, perhaps, during the first week or Holy Week - it is now common to eat two cooked meals daily instead of one. From the second until the sixthweek, many Orthodox use wine, and perhaps oil also, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and less commonly on Mondays as well. Permission is often given to eat fish in these weeks. Personal factors need to be taken into account, as for example the situation of an isolated Orthodox living in the same household as non-Orthodox, or obliged to take meals in a factory or school canteen. In cases of uncertainty each should seek the advice of his or her spiritual father. At all times it is essential to bear in mind that 'you are not under the law but under grace' (Rom. 6:14), and that 'the letter kills, but the spirit gives life' (2 Cor. 3:6). The rules of fasting, while they need to be taken seriously, are not to be interpreted with dour and pedantic legalism; 'for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Rom. 14:17).