Every August, Orthodox Christians around the world enter a deeply moving and meaningful time of preparation called the Dormition Fast. This fast leads us to one of the great feasts of the Church: the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15th. Whether this is your first time observing this fast or you're revisiting its rich traditions, this guide will walk with you—step-by-step—through the meaning, practices, and beauty of this sacred season.
Let’s break it down into two parts: the Dormition Fast itself, and the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos that follows. Each section answers the most common questions and offers simple, heartfelt ways to live this out as a family, parishioner, or faithful Orthodox Christian.
Part One: The Dormition Fast
1. What is the Fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos?
The Dormition Fast is a two-week spiritual preparation that begins on August 1st and ends on August 14th, just before the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos on August 15th. The word "Dormition" means "falling asleep" and refers to the peaceful death of the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Mother of Life.
According to Orthodox tradition, Christ came with heavenly powers to receive His mother's soul. Her body was buried in the village of Gethsemane, but when her tomb was opened three days later—after the arrival of the Apostle Thomas—it was found empty. Her body had been taken up to Heaven, just as her soul had.
🕊️ Why do we Fast?
We fast during the Dormition Fast for the same reasons we fast at other times of the liturgical year: to grow closer to God, to detach ourselves from our passions, and to become more Christ-like. Through fasting discipline, we quiet the noise of the world and the distractions of our personal desires, so we can better hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and prepare our hearts to receive the Word of God.
This particular fast invites us to imitate the Theotokos, who lived a life of humility, obedience, and prayer. As we honor her Dormition, we also examine our own mortality and look ahead with hope to the future life promised by our Savior Jesus Christ. In other words, we fast to remind ourselves that death is not the end—and to prepare for the eternal life of paradise.
📅 Key Dates in the Dormition Fast:
- August 1: Fast begins; also the Procession of the Precious Wood of the Cross (from the Russian Orthodox Church tradition)
- August 6: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (fish allowed!)
- August 15: Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
2. What Can You Eat During Dormition Fast?
Here’s the straightforward version of the Dormition fast rules:
- No meat, dairy products, or eggs
- No fish, except on August 6th (Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord)
- Olive oil and wine are allowed only on Saturdays and Sundays
Focus on simple meals—avoid sweets, snacks, or processed foods
And remember, fast-friendly recipes don’t have to be boring. Visit OrthodoxFastingRecipes.com for easy and nourishing ideas that work for busy schedules and kids.
Part Two: The Dormition of the Theotokos
1. What is the Orthodox Dormition of the Theotokos?
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is not just a commemoration of her death—it’s a feast of hope, a celebration of the eternal life of paradise, and a promise of the resurrection of the body for all believers.
The Orthodox Church tradition, grounded in historical sources, Holy Scripture, and holy tradition, tells us:
- At the end of her earthly life, the Most Holy Virgin Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel, who revealed to her that she would soon be called to her rest.
- The Holy Apostles were miraculously gathered from the ends of the earth to be at her bedside.
- When the time came, she laid herself upon her bed, surrounded by the apostles, and gave her soul into the hands of her Son, Christ Jesus.
- Her body was carried in a solemn procession to the tomb in the village of Gethsemane, accompanied by hymns and prayers.
- On the third day, after the arrival of the Apostle Thomas, her tomb was opened, and her body was no longer there. The Church teaches that her body, like her soul, was taken into heaven by the Holy Spirit, to dwell in the heavenly kingdom of Christ.
This moment reveals a profound mystery: the glorification of Christ is shared with His mother, the one who bore Him in her womb and remained faithful to Him throughout her life. Her Dormition is a sign that all human persons, if united to Christ through the life of the Church, can also be raised into the divine gladness of heaven.
The icon of the Dormition captures this beautifully: the Mother of Jesus Christ lies in repose, surrounded by the apostles, while Christ stands at the center of the icon, holding her pure soul as an infant wrapped in white garments. Around them are hosts of angels, bearing witness to the inexpressible light of divine glory.
This feast is deeply eschatological—it points to the future life, to the fulfillment of our baptismal calling, and to our transformation into instruments of God through grace.
2 How to Celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos?
This is one of the Great Feasts of the Church, and it deserves our full attention—both in church and at home.
⛪ What Happens at Church
⛪ What Happens at Church:
- Vespers on the eve of the Feast (August 14)
- Divine Liturgy on August 15th, celebrated with special readings and hymns
- Lamentations to the Theotokos, modeled after Holy Friday services
- In some traditions, a funeral bier with an embroidered shroud of the Theotokos is carried in procession
- Lesser Blessing of the Waters may be served during the fast as part of the liturgical year
These liturgical services immerse us in the mystery of death and resurrection. Through the prayers and hymns, we are reminded that death of the Theotokos is not an end, but a beginning—her passage from this world to the throne of God.
🏠 At Home
🏠 At Home:
- Set up a holy place with a candle and the holy icon of the Dormition
- Read the Old Testament readings (Genesis 28:10–17, Ezekiel 43:27–44:4, Proverbs 9:1–11)
- Read the Gospel of the Feast: Luke 10:38–42 and 11:27–28
- Include children in preparing a special table with flowers, icons, and candles
- Read aloud about the life of the Theotokos, from her nativity to her falling asleep
- Invite others for a meal of fruits of the new harvest, in honor of the Queen of Heaven
Celebrating the feast at home deepens the sense of connection between the holy church and the Orthodox family. It allows even those who cannot attend every service to enter the feast with joy and reverence.
What is the Prayer for the Dormition of the Theotokos?
During the Dormition Fast, many of us look for simple yet powerful ways to draw closer to the Theotokos and prepare our hearts for her great feast. So what is the prayer for the Dormition of the Theotokos? It’s really a question of how we speak to her and ask for her intercession. We do that in two main ways: through our daily prayers and through deeper, more meditative prayers like the Paraklesis and the Akathist Hymn.
🙏 Daily Prayer to the Theotokos
🙏 Daily Prayer to the Theotokos
A beautiful and beloved prayer that often becomes part of our daily rhythm during the Dormition Fast is:
"It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify you."
In our home, this prayer is a favorite. We say it during our evening prayers, and it always brings a quiet sense of peace and holiness into the room. It reminds us of the lowliness and majesty of the Theotokos—how she was a human being like us, and yet chosen to bear the Savior of our souls.
We love using the book Orthodox Christian Prayers published by St. Tikhon’s Monastery Press. It’s the one we turn to every day—not just during the Dormition Fast, but throughout the entire year. What makes this book so helpful is how well it’s laid out. It includes prayers for the morning and evening, mealtime blessings, and specific services for the fasting seasons—Great Lent, the Nativity Fast, and of course, the Dormition Fast. So, if you’re new to prayer, this book offers structure without being overwhelming.
🕯️ Going Deeper: Paraklesis and the Akathist Hymn
🕯️ Going Deeper: Paraklesis and the Akathist Hymn
If you’re ready to go deeper, the Church offers a treasure: the Paraklesis Service and the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos.
- The Paraklesis (especially the Great Paraklesis) is often chanted each evening at church during the Dormition Fast. It’s a beautiful supplication service that asks for the intercession of the Theotokos during times of sorrow, illness, fear, or uncertainty. When life feels heavy, this service reminds us that she is always praying for us and watching over us.
- And then there’s the Akathist Hymn—a poetic and joyful prayer that praises the Virgin Mary’s role in salvation. Originally chanted in Hagia Sophia and preserved through the Greek Horologion, it’s one of the richest examples of Orthodox devotion to the Theotokos. We read a few verses of it each night as a family during the fast. It gives us time to reflect on her humility, her boldness, and her obedience to God.
We recommend the edition titled The Service of the Akathist Hymn: The Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos
Adding these deeper prayers to your fasting journey creates a space of sacred stillness. Even if it’s just ten minutes each night with your spouse or children, you begin to feel her presence more clearly. You start to see how the Dormition of the Mother of God isn’t just a historical event—it’s part of the life of every Orthodox Christian who seeks the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Final Take Away
The Dormition Fast and the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos remind us that our earthly life is not the end. It’s a preparation for the eternal life of paradise promised to us by Christ Jesus. Through this fast, we slow down, examine our hearts, and focus on becoming temples of the living God.
Let the Mother of Life lead you gently through these days of August. Embrace the simplicity of fasting, the beauty of liturgical services, and the joy of honoring the one who brought our Savior into the world.
Pray with her. Sing to her. Learn from her. And let your heart grow closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.
👉 Visit OrthodoxFastingRecipes.com for meals, prayers, and ideas to make this fast a time of joy and transformation for your Orthodox family.
May the Most Holy Theotokos bless your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years did Mary live after Jesus died?
According to the tradition of the Church, the Most Holy Virgin Mary lived about 11 years after the Resurrection of Christ. She spent this time in prayer and quiet service in the home of St. John the Theologian, as instructed by the Lord on the Cross (John 19:26). The Fathers of the Orthodox Church teach that she was present at the Day of Pentecost, receiving the Holy Spirit alongside the Apostles. Her falling-asleep, or Dormition, took place near the age of 60. This fulfilled the necessity of her mortal human nature in the plan of salvation.
Why do Orthodox call Mary the Theotokos?
The Orthodox Church calls her the Theotokos, meaning "God-bearer," because she gave birth to Christ Jesus, the Son of God, not just a man. This title protects the truth of the Incarnation—that He was fully God and fully man. The title was affirmed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and officially declared at the Third Ecumenical Council in 431 AD.
Calling her Theotokos also affirms her role in the glorification of Christ and her place in the heavenly kingdom of Christ. It reminds us of her "low estate" (Luke 1:48) and her acceptance of God’s will through the Archangel Gabriel. She remains a powerful intercessor, a holy lady, and a guide to all human persons on the path to the eternal life of paradise.
How Long is Dormition Fast?
The fast lasts 14 days, from August 1st to August 14th. It leads directly into the Feast of Dormition on August 15th.
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