“The bread you do not use is the bread of the hungry. The garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of the person who is naked. The shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot. The money you keep locked away is the money of the poor. The acts of charity you do not perform…

Therefore, he (Jesus) taught all the people a simple remedy that is useful for everyone and cures all pains; that is, to pray…Here you have a medicine that is easy to find, simple, applicable to everything, and always readily available; to which there is no impediment and no difficulty.  For concerning fasting, you may make the excuse, “I am weak,” and so…

“Just as one learns an art from someone and applies it in practice for a time, and only then learns more of the particulars of that art than one had been taught by one’s master, so do you make for yourself the work of tearful prayers, and it will teach you by itself.” — Anania Narekatsi, 10th Century

“Fasting is not simply about eating or not eating food, but has to do with the obliteration of sins. Not talking much and needlessly is fasting.  Fasting is poverty and cessation of coveting things, not worrying about additional gain but finding a daily sustenance and asking God just for that.” –Hovhan Mayravanetsi, 7th century

“It is known that there are three types of spiritual tears, the first for our sins which is repentance, the second for a friend which is mercy and virtue, and the third for the kingdom which is beatification.” –St. Gregory of Tatev, The Book of Questions, 14th century