Leviticus 16:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is our belief that during this period the Lord conveyed through the prophet, ‘In the days of your victories, humble your souls (cf. Lev. 23:27, 32; Num. 29:7). What was the reason for this message? Because fasting, prayerful watchfulness, and sacred trials temper the desires of the flesh, cleanse defiled hearts, weaken the strength of the physical body, while bestowing a greater beauty on the mind. Through the discipline of the body, the transgressions of desire are expiated, by enduring prolonged trials the pleasures of the flesh are chastened, and through such self-denial, the decree of future death is presently averted.