Asceticism, grounded in self-discipline and renunciation, is central to Orthodox spirituality. Writer Ioannis Kaltsas explores how practices like fasting, prayer, and solitude shape the lives of Orthodox Christians, guiding them toward spiritual growth. Drawing inspiration from saints like St. Anthony the Great, Kaltsas argues that asceticism encourages believers to prioritize the eternal over the temporal. This commitment to ascetic living helps individuals cultivate virtues and encounter God on a deeply personal level, providing a pathway to holiness and self-transformation.”