FAST, total or partial abstinence from or deprivation of food; an omission to take food. Also a time set apart to ex press national grief for some calamity, or to deprecate an impending evil.
Ethnic Fasts.—The old Egyptians, the Assyrians (Jonah iii : 5), the Greeks, Romans, and other ancient nations had most of them stated or occasional fasts, as have the modern Mohammedans, Hin dus, etc.
Jewish Fasts.—The Day of Atonement was the only fasting day enjoined by the law of Moses, but the Mishna speaks of four others, respectively commemorating the storming of Jerusalem by Nebuchad nezzar, the burning of the Temple by Titus, the sack of Jerusalem by Nebu chadnezzar, and the receiving by Ezekiel and the other captives of the news of the destruction of Jerusalem. There were also fasts proclaimed by royal or other authority on special occasions (I Kings xxi: 9-12; II Chron. xx: 3; Ezra viii: 2). For the spiritual and unspiritual way of keeping a fast, see Isaiah lviii: 3.
Christian Fasts.—No stated fasts are enjoined in the New Testament; they arose subsequently, the Lent fast taking the lead (see LENT). In the 3d century
the Latins fasted on the seventh day. In A. D. 813 the Council of Mentz in its 34th canon ordered a fast the first week in March, the second week in June, the third week in September, and the last full week preceding Christmas eve. In the Episcopalian and Roman Catholic Churches the principal fasts of the year are Lent, the Ember days, All-Saints, the Immaculate Conception, Rogation days, and the eves or vigils before cer tain festivals; as before Christmas day. Some of these fasts are common to both Churches.
Modern Fasts.—Several times in the course of political events have different Christian governments proclaimed days of fasting and prayer. As a notable antitype of this custom may be mentioned the American National Thanksgiving, in which feasting and not fasting is the salient feature. See also FASTING.