When did Christians start to fast and why?

mementoflash

Christ himself fasted for 40 days and nights before he started his three year public ministry. Luke 4:1-3 Apr 11 06, 3:10 PM

Arpeggionist

In Christianity, fasting and feasting are generally done as a way of emulating Jesus. The Gospel describes Jesus having fasted 40 days in order to help give him a status similar to Moses (who fasted twice the same duration). In the time of Jesus, there were seven days of each year which were accepted as public fast days, about 200 years later these days were established as religious fast days in Judaism. Apr 11 06, 3:21 PM

kaylofgorons

Fasting predates Christianity. It's a ritual of putting aside physical concerns and desires to focus on spiritual matters, and many religions practice it. Apr 11 06, 5:30 PM

horselover11

I think the started to fast around Moses' time.I think they did it because it honored God of their sacrifice to pray and be with Him. Apr 11 06, 6:22 PM