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 3:00 p.m.), after which only dry food is eaten.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, boiled vegetables without oil are permitted, while on Saturdays and Sundays, oil and wine are allowed. On the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (6 August), there is a dispensation for fish, oil and wine.
History of the Dormition Fast
During the first centuries of Christianity, the Dormition Fast was not observed uniformly throughout the Church.
Christians in Antioch fasted for only one day, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, while those in Constantinople observed a four-day fast. Only the Christians of Jerusalem kept an eight-day fast.
To establish a common practice, the Council of Constantinople in 1166, presided over by Patriarch Luke Chrysoberges, decreed that “the fast should begin on the first day of August and end on the morning of 15 August, when we begin the celebration of the Dormition of the Mother of God.”
Dormition Fast according to the unrevised calendar
It is important to note that some Orthodox Christians, especially those who follow the unrevised Julian Calendar—commonly known as the “Old Calendar”—will commence the Dormition Fast two weeks later, on 14 August.
This calendar discrepancy signifies that for these believers, the liturgical dates, including the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, are delayed by 13 days relative to the revised Julian calendar adopted by the majority of Orthodox Churches.
As a result, their observance of the fast and associated services will retain the same structure and spiritual significance, but will be shifted accordingly in time.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
