The Holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater; the Holy Martyrs Dadas, Maximus and Quintilianus (286-305); Our Father among the Saints Cyril of Turau (1183)
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Acts 8:40-9:19; John 6:48-54.
Read John 6:48-54
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
St. John the Evangelist in his Gospel gives us a profound teaching on the Eucharist from the words of Christ himself. The meaning of the Eucharist is clearly given to us by the Lord and the Catholic and Orthodox Apostolic Churches plainly accept Jesus at his word. Jesus is the Divine nourishment given to us in the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist, who imparts life to those who receive him with faith. St. Cyril of Jerusalem says,
“Failing to understand his words spiritually, [the Jews] were offended and drew back, thinking that the Saviour was urging them to cannibalism. Then again in the old covenant there was the showbread. But that, since it belonged to the old covenant, has come to an end. In the new covenant there are the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation, which sanctify body and soul. For as bread corresponds to the body, so the Word is appropriate to the soul. So do not think of them as mere bread and wine. In accordance with the Lord’s declaration, they are body and blood. And if our senses suggests otherwise, let faith confirm you. Do not judge the issue on the basis of taste, but on the basis of faith be assured beyond all doubt that you have been allowed to receive the body and blood of Christ.” (Mystagogical Lectures 4.4-6.).
Just as the Jews had to learn to trust and have faith in God in the desert, so too we in the New Covenant need to practice faith and trust in God as we walk the desert of this life.