How does the Coptic Orthodox Church view the role of fasting and asceticism in the faith?
The Coptic Orthodox Church views fasting and asceticism as important practices that can help believers grow closer to God and more fully live out their faith. The church teaches that fasting and asceticism are spiritual disciplines that can help believers to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, to draw closer to Him, and to overcome the temptation and distractions of the world. The Coptic Orthodox Church has a long tradition of fasting and asceticism, with many of the church's saints and holy figures being known for their rigorous fasting practices and their commitment to a life of asceticism. The church encourages its members to adopt a spirit of fasting and asceticism in their own lives, as a way of deepening their faith and growing closer to God. Fasting in the Coptic Orthodox Church typically involves abstaining from certain foods or activities for a specific period of time, as a way of demonstrating devotion to God and as a way of strengthening the spiritual disciplines...