ABSTRACT
Delivered in 442, this was the second in a series of eight homilies that marked the observance of the September fast, or fast of the seventh month.1 These were Homilies 86 to 94. The fast of the seventh month was one of four Solemn Fasts celebrated in Rome in this period (see ‘Importance of the Christian calendar’ in Chapter 2). The celebration of this fast in autumn was a deliberate break with traditional GrecoRoman religious festivals associated with the grape and grain harvests in this season of plenty. It also coincided with the Jewish festival of Yom Kippur, towhich Leo seems to have had first-hand exposure (cf. serm. 89). Homily 87 introduces many of the enduring themes of Leo’s pastorate: the power of the devil to tempt humankind, the remedy of the sacrament provided by God the King, the ongoing dialogic struggle between fleshly desires and spiritual longing, and the need to be stewards of divine gifts. Here we find Leo emphasising the nexus between fasting, prayer and almsgiving. What one denies oneself during a fast can be given for the benefit of the needy. The ‘chastening of the flesh’ through fasting is a kind of penance, and works to strengthen the soul (serm. 87.1). This act of self-control prepares the Christian for struggles against the devil, who is always lurking ready to ensnare those held captive to original sin. The power of collective fasting is greater than the sum of individual fasts (serm. 87.2). For Leo, the Christian life was an ongoing war against the devil, but victory was assured if one joined the ranks of the church, rather than engaging in the spiritual struggle alone.2
