Orthodox Dormition Fast begins with prayer, fasting and spiritual renewal

The Dormition Fast begins on Friday for Orthodox Christians observing the revised calendar and concludes on 14 August, the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. During these two weeks, the faithful are called to fasting, prayer and spiritual purification.

Typically, the fasting period starts on 1 August. However, according to Church regulations, if 31 July falls on a Wednesday or Friday, the fasting season begins a day earlier. The same happened in 2024, 2020, and 2019.

Established by the Church in honour of the Mother of God, the Dormition Fast encourages believers to follow her example of prayer, humility and purity. During this period, the daily reading of the Paraklesis ( Supplicatory Canon ) to the Mother of God, together with other prayers dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is especially encouraged.

Fasting rule In terms of dietary discipline, the Dormition Fast is considered less strict than Great Lent, but more demanding than both the Nativity Fast and the Apostles’ Fast.

According to the Great Typikon and the fasting instructions in the Great Horologion, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are days of strict fasting until the Ninth Hour (approximately…