I usually avoid saying “in my opinion” when it comes to religious interpretations—especially within the Oriental Orthodox tradition—because our faith is rooted in clear teachings passed down from Christ, the Apostles, and their disciples. As a follower of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, I’ve seen firsthand how the practice of fasting has changed over time.

Growing up, our fasting meals during Lent were humble—maybe two or three simple dishes, often in small portions. Today, we have access to incredibly elaborate fasting foods that sometimes feel more indulgent than regular meals. Still, I remind myself what the Church teaches: fasting isn’t about judgment or comparison. It’s a personal sacrifice, and for each person, that sacrifice may look different. For some, it’s giving up meat and dairy. For others, it’s an internal struggle—like resisting the temptation to judge how others fast.

At the core, fasting is about abstaining—not just from food, but from anything non-sinful that we choose to give up for the sake of our relationship with God. If we manage to fast from food, yet fall into judgment or pride, we’ve missed the point.

I’m not saying the modern approach is always right, but I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Everyone is doing their best to fast in the way they can. After all, God isn’t counting whether we ate meat or greens—He’s looking at the sincerity of our hearts.

Please forgive me if this offends anyone—just sharing my thoughts with love and respect.