"Fasting is abstinence from all things that a body needs, and one has to fast from animal products and from any kind of food for a limited time until the period of fasting is over (Fetha Negest 15, Matt 6:16).  In general, one has to abstain from any thing which the body desires.

The aim of fasting is to make the desire of the body to obey the will of the soul, to seek forgiveness of guilt and to increase the reward of the soul.

Fasting has perpetual relation with religion.  Even though the way it is practiced differs from religion to religion, anyone who has religion practices fasting.  Especially in the Old Testament, fasting had a prominent place in the lives of the Jewish people.  Whenever the Old Testament prophets sought to communicate with God, they neither ate food nor drank water (Exd 34:28).  The wrath of God that comes about as a result of sin can be averted through solemn prayer and rigorous fasting (John 3:7-10; Joel 2:15).

In the New Testament also, fasting is not a law made by man.  It is our Saviour Jesus Christ himself who made it the beginning of His messianic ministry in his earthly life (Matt 4:2; Luke 4:2).  Our Saviour Jesus Christ has taught that fasting has the power of driving away evil spirits (Matt 17:21; Mark 9:2).

The Apostles who were commanded to serve the church received guidance from the Holy Spirit while they were praying and fasting (Acts 13:2).  Priests and deacons who served as preachers of the gospel were inspired and ordained while fasting and praying (Acts 13:3; 14:23).

It was through fasting and beseeching God that righteous people received what they needed and wished (Ezra 8:21; Neh 9:1-3; Est 4:16-17; Acts 10:30; 13:2-3).

As the theological interpretation of fast is beseeching God and asking him for the forgiveness of sin, it is, therefore, mandatory to abstain from animal products and alcoholic drinks which incite lust (Dan 10:2-3).  Fasting has been taught and practiced in the teachings of the apostles and Church Fathers (The Law of Kings Article 15; Didas 29).

As it is said, "Blessed is he who fasts to feed the poor," if any fasting man gives what he has allocated from his lunch and supper to the organization of the disabled founded by the Church or to the poor, his fast will be more complete (Isa 58:6-11).

Fasting is not only abstinence from food.  It will be a true fast if the eye is kept from seeing, the mouth from speaking and the ear from hearing evil things (Matt 5:21-30; St. Yared - Digua). "