THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
For those eager to understand, it is important to clarify the origins of the fasts mentioned and to elaborate on the significance of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth fasts in due course, ensuring we connect the discussions with the meanings of the corresponding observances. Following the conquest of the sacred city, the destruction of the temple, and the exile of Israel along with its holy artifacts, those who survived in Judea regarded the days of these calamities as sorrowful and dreadful. Gathered in large numbers, they expressed their grief through lamentation and fasting. Let us now examine what transpired on each of these significant days.
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The blessed Jeremiah records, “And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign (notably Zedekiah), in the tenth month, on the tenth day, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, and all his army against Jerusalem, and they encamped against it, and made a surrounding blockade of quadrangular stones. And the city was under siege until the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah's eleventh year. A plague occurred, and there was no food for the inhabitants of the land. All the men of the army fled by night along the pathway between the two walls toward the king's garden.” Following the account of Zedekiah's sons being slain and his own blinding, it is noted, “In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, in the presence of the king of Babylon, arrived in Jerusalem and set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace, all the houses of the city, and every significant building, while also demolishing every wall of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans that accompanied the commander.” (Jer. 52:4-7, 12-14 cf. 4 Sam. 25:1-10). Notice how in the tenth month of the ninth year, Jerusalem was under siege, and then in the fourth month of the tenth year, he states the city was destroyed, followed by the burning of the temple and city in the fifth month by the commander. This is the reason the fourth, fifth, and tenth days are regarded as sorrowful. However, the seventh day also requires further explanation. After the capture of Jerusalem, the commander appointed Gedaliah over the remnant of the Jews left in the city. Following this decree, he returned to Babylon. Upon learning of these developments, the remnants of the Jewish people gathered to Jerusalem, hoping to reestablish themselves there. Yet, in the seventh month, as recorded (4 Kings 25:25 and Jer. 41), Gedaliah was killed by Ishmael, leading to the scattering of the people who fled to Egypt, where they met their end. Thus, the seventh day and the month itself became marked as sorrowful. These events account for the purpose of the fasts. However, once the adversities concluded, Israel returned to Jerusalem, and their period of grief elapsed, it was deemed unnecessary to continue fasting and mourning. Instead, they were instructed to transform their sorrow into joy and to celebrate the blessings they had received from God. They were also to remember the reasons behind their past punishments, which stemmed from their unrestrained sins and shameless indulgence in all manner of unrighteousness (Psalm 29:12), as noted by the Psalmist. We should not bear reproach for once succumbing to the power of our enemies while neglecting God and worshiping created things instead of the Creator. Rather, we express our gratitude for the mercy shown to us, our deliverance from the hands of our foes, and our flourishing in the holy city, which symbolizes the church. We are honored to honor Him through prayers and spiritual offerings. The love we hold, nurtured by divine Scriptures, teaches us to embrace this as peace, truth, and a source of profound joy because “He is our peace” (Eph. 2:14); He is, as mentioned, also Truth. Through Him, we entertain good hope, and with every discouragement lifted, we ought to rejoice.