Dormition Fast: what you can eat, daily nutrition calendar

The Assumption Fast refers to a multi-day Orthodox fast - one of four. It always begins on Honey Spas, i.e. August 14, and ends on August 27. Although fasting is strict, abstaining from meat, dairy dishes, and other light foods is easily tolerated, since in the last summer month the harvest of garden crops is harvested, which helps diversify the table.

Dormition post

All posts have their own common features: dates, rigor, processes of preparation and implementation, and so on. The Assumption Fast is similar to:

1. Rozhdestvensky, so the dates of both posts are fixed;
2. Great, because in terms of severity he strongly resembles him.

The Dormition Fast is one of the shortest fasts of the year. It lasts only two weeks. It is also notable for the fact that two national holidays fall on it (which, by the way, also have church significance):

1. Honey Spas;
2. Apple Spas.

We will talk about each of them separately, so we will not focus on them here.

The Church tells us that the Assumption Fast has reached us from the most ancient times. It was established in memory of the Mother of God and prepares us for the Feast of the Assumption, one of the most beloved holidays in Rus'. But we remember not only this holiday during Lent - there is also the Transfiguration, this day is also of great importance.

Dormition Lent is a joyful time. At this time, you should “wash away” everything unnecessary and dilapidated from yourself in order to begin to conquer new heights.

August is a summer month, but in many cultures it was during this time that the transition to autumn took place. For example, among the Celts. In the Christian tradition, too: the New Year was previously celebrated on September 14, and therefore, the Assumption Fast, although held in the summer, is autumn.

All this is very symbolic: the end of the church year with the Dormition - the transition of the Mother of God to another life.

How to prepare and conduct the Assumption Fast. Five tips from a priest

The Assumption Fast is the shortest of the multi-day fasts, but in severity it is not inferior to the Great Fast. It is important not to forget the true purpose of this period. “360” asked the priest to give advice for fasting.

Dormition Fast in 2022

In 2022, the Assumption Fast begins on August 14 and lasts until the 27th. This period ends with the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. People call the Assumption Fast the Spasovsky Fast, and on its days there are two holidays - the Origin of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross (Honey Savior), August 19 - the Transfiguration of the Lord (Apple Savior).

Honey Spas falls on August 14th. New harvest honey is blessed in the church, and housewives at home bake honey cakes, gingerbread cookies, pancakes, gingerbread cookies and other delicacies with honey.

August 19 – Apple Spas. On this day, apples are illuminated in churches and charlotte or pies are baked with them.

August 29 - Nut (or Bread) Spas. Traditionally, nuts are blessed on this date.

Throughout Lent, the church calls on believers to imitate the Mother of God, who, before her relocation to heaven, was constantly in fasting and prayer.

Advice from a priest

Priest Nikolai Babkin, at the request of “360,” gave advice on how to behave correctly during the Dormition Fast and how this period should be perceived so as not to substitute concepts.

We fill Lent with rules, fill it with holidays, rituals, customs, traditions, and the Lenten menu. But we don’t fill it with meaning, we don’t fill it with God.

Nikolay Babkin.

The main task of the Assumption of the Savior is to prepare a person for the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For believers, it means gaining eternal life. This celebration carries a deep meaning, which, according to the priest, is difficult to understand, and only fasting helps a person in the turmoil of life to stop and understand everything. Fasting is a means of going deeper into oneself. A person becomes more diligent in prayer, in virtues, which means he becomes closer to God.

Icon of Theophan the Greek - Dormition of the Virgin Mary / Photo source: Wikimedia

Nikolai Babkin gave some important advice to believers regarding the upcoming fast.

1. If a person has never fasted, it is better to talk to a priest before fasting so that the important period does not go in vain. Some people may take on a lot, get upset and quit.

2. It is very important to evaluate your strengths. The Assumption Fast lasts two weeks, it is quite strict and difficult. Before these days, you should ask yourself the question: can I stand it, give up certain foods and not break down? Even the work schedule plays a role in this matter, because it can affect the quality of the post.

3. The meaning of any spiritual achievement is that a person does not give up on it. “If you pray, pray, if you fast, fast. There may not be as many relaxations as you planned, but it should be on an ongoing basis. The basis of the Dormition Fast is not just a restriction, but that we learn to abstain. Otherwise, it’s just a hunger strike,” Babkin explained.

4. It is also important how the believer prepares his household for the Dormition Fast. In a family, not all its members may be Orthodox, which means they are not required to observe fasting. The main thing here is not to force them to live according to their beliefs. This is especially true for children in adolescence. You also need to warn your family that two tables are set - with the Lenten menu and the regular one.

5. Believers should remember that fasting is not a diet. Many people forget the basic meaning of fasting and the differences between fasting and abstinence. Babkin recalled that in Orthodoxy, any work a person does must be dedicated to God. That is, the goal is not to lose weight or clear karma, but to make a small spiritual sacrifice to God.

Abstinence is necessary on all days of life, and not just during fasting. You should not turn the two weeks of the Dormition Fast into a diet, a hunger strike or a religious act that must be observed from beginning to end in fear that otherwise something will not work out. The essence, Babkin again reminded, is in sacrifice and a person’s desire to be closer to God.

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Krutitsy / Photo source: Wikimedia

Rules of the Assumption Fast

The Assumption Fast is the only one dedicated to the Mother of God. On fasting days they say prayers, do good deeds, help loved ones and those in need.

On fasting days, weddings, alcohol consumption, laziness, bad emotions - aggression, irritation - are prohibited. You should also not smoke, tell fortunes, participate in entertainment, quarrel with relatives and friends, watch TV, use the Internet and travel.

Meals by day

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays you can only eat foods of plant origin. On Tuesdays and Thursdays - boiled food without vegetable oil. On weekends, vegetable oil and wine are allowed.

Try to conduct the Dormition Fast like this:

August 14 - honey with bread, vegetables, fruits;

August 15 - soup with mushrooms, various porridges, seasoned with butter;

August 16 - low-fat fish;

August 17 - dishes with carrots, beets, cabbage or potatoes (vegetables can be baked, but fruits should be eaten fresh);

August 18 - hot soup or porridge;

August 19 - fish dishes, wine with grapes;

August 20 - porridge with soup, fresh vegetables;

August 21 - vegetable salads, potatoes, honey, apples;

August 22 - vegetable soups, porridge, mushrooms, fruits;

August 23 – fish;

August 24 - sauerkraut with canned vegetables, bread, fruit;

August 25 - semolina in water, mushrooms, soup;

August 26 - salads, apples, nuts;

August 27 - stewed vegetables, dumplings.

How to fast?

Like any other fast - in prayer and righteousness. Fasting is not a diet; it also has spiritual content, which is much more important. We have already written about this here. In general, we can say that at this time you need to monitor yourself and your actions in order to avoid inappropriate ones.

The Church does not approve of idle talk at this time (that is, idle talk);

• it is strictly forbidden to swear or use foul language;
• food restrictions apply;

It is worth noting that the Assumption Fast is strongly comparable to the Great Fast in that both of them are strict about entertainment. Therefore, you should limit yourself to them.

Fasting in honor of the Mother of God

People gradually began to understand who the Mother of God is, what She created for humanity. The Gospel tells very little about Her. But this does not diminish Her role in history.

The Mother of God was humble and obedient to the will of God. She was always merciful to people and after death she continues to help. She is able to beg Her Son for the forgiveness of sins.

The Dormition Fast is a time for special glorification of the Mother of God. At this time, every day you need to read the prayers of the Mother of God, canon, akathist . You can simply read twelve prayers “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary” every day. If possible, it is better to read the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos (Annunciation), since this is the prototype of all akathists. All other akathists were written in his likeness. This is a brilliant creation of the saints, surpassing in the power of words all the other akathists written later. In fact, this is the main akathist; the rest can be questioned.

Event in the Garden of Gethsemane

Fasting serves as preparation for the holiday on which the Mother of God fell asleep in her body, but Christ resurrected Her later. Some say: how can you celebrate the death of a person, because usually this event is perceived as grief. But for the Mother of God it was truly a holiday. After the departure of Christ to Heaven, She felt bad and lonely on earth. She prayed every day in the Garden of Gethsemane so that her beloved Son would quickly take Her to Himself. And then one day, during such a prayer, Archangel Gabriel and told her the joyful news of Her imminent departure. He handed Her a branch from the Garden of Eden . She kept this twig; it was carried in front of Her coffin.

Fasting serves as preparation for the holiday on which the Mother of God fell asleep in her body, but Christ resurrected Her later. Some say: how can you celebrate the death of a person, because usually this event is perceived as grief. But for the Mother of God it was truly a holiday. After the departure of Christ to Heaven, She felt bad and lonely on earth. She prayed every day in the Garden of Gethsemane so that her beloved Son would quickly take Her to Himself. And then one day, during such a prayer, Archangel Gabriel and told her the joyful news of Her imminent departure. He handed Her a branch from the Garden of Eden . She kept this twig; it was carried in front of Her coffin.

Popular questions

Is it possible to have a wedding?

Absolutely not. Lent is not the time for this kind of festivities.

When can you eat fish?

Fish during the Assumption Fast is allowed only on one day - Transfiguration. The full nutrition calendar by day will be below.

Can I eat seafood?

Only on one day - Transfiguration, on the same day fish is allowed, since both are semi-lenten foods. However, it all depends on which charter you will observe the fast: the strict monastic charter allows semi-fast food only on Church holidays, and, for example, in the Athos monasteries it is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays.

The best thing in this matter is to consult with your confessor. And, of course, decide how exactly you will spend the Assumption Fast.

What prayers should you read during the Dormition Fast?

At this sacred time, prayers are read before and after meals. Before eating, they read the well-known Our Father.

Of course, you can thank the Lord in your own words. The main thing is to do it from the heart.

After eating, the following modest prayer is usually recited:

And there is also a short traditional phrase of gratitude after a meal:

An angel for your meal!

Traditions and customs

During fasting, in addition to physical cleansing, you need to cleanse yourself spiritually. You cannot indulge in festivities and noisy fun; it is preferable to lead a measured lifestyle, think more and talk less.

You can go to church and highlight the key products of this time - honey and apples. It is not necessary to grow fruits in the garden; fruits bought in a store can also be illuminated. Each family member must eat a spoonful of honey on August 14 and make a wish. Subsequently it will definitely come true.

On August 19, they eat illuminated apples. You can perform a cleansing ritual at home. To do this, cut the apple into two parts, remove the core from the halves and insert a candle into it. They walk around the house with candles, be sure to go into the darkest and most secluded places of the house and read a prayer. Then they combine the apple with melted wax, tie it tightly with thread and take it away from the house. It is believed that all the negative energy accumulated in the house was absorbed into the fruit.

What can you eat during the Assumption Fast?

The Assumption Fast is quite strict. If you follow the monastic charter, then the following are prohibited:

• meat and everything connected with it;
• fish and seafood (relaxation only on the Feast of the Transfiguration);
• eggs;
• dairy products.

However, the Assumption Fast is much easier to endure thanks to the harvest. Vegetables and herbs have already arrived, and there are a lot of mushrooms in the forests. All this adds variety to the food you eat. It will even be beneficial for health, so many vitamins will enter the body.

By the way, people call the Assumption Fast “gourmet”.

To make fasting easier, some recommend starting preparations in advance. Do not overeat in the last days before fasting

, and already a few days before, gradually limit yourself to food and prepare yourself for two weeks of fasting.

In any case, it’s easier to decide what you can eat and what you can’t eat with your confessor and doctor. Because not every person is able to withstand fasting for various reasons, some, for example, for health reasons. All this is being resolved, the Church gives concessions in such cases.

Is there any harm from fasting?

New Christians may be wary of fasting because of their strict diet. You may get the impression that there is a danger of malnutrition and the lack of important nutrients in the body. But this is a vain fear: there are enough vitamins and microelements.

The abundance of the fruits of the earth by mid-August will not leave anyone hungry; on the contrary, it will bring a beneficial cleansing of the body from toxins and waste. Thus, strict fasting turns into a healing event not only for the soul, but also for the physical body.

The people firmly believe that the Most Holy Theotokos not only helps to successfully fast, but also provides her protection to those who fast. Therefore, Orthodox Christians with great joy impose various restrictions on themselves in order to please the Mother of God and earn her mercy.

Dormition Fast: meals by day

We have compiled a daily nutrition calendar for the Assumption Fast. This is a monastic charter, quite strict. Lay people can follow the “easier” option, in which they are allowed to eat fish and seafood, as well as refuse dry eating.

* The calendar can be downloaded and printed.

And remember, fasting is not a diet.

PS

Before fasting, be sure to consult a doctor so as not to harm yourself by strictly abstaining from food.

Preparation and entry into fasting

When introducing restrictions into your usual diet, you need to take care that this does not become stress for the body. You should start preparing 10-14 days in advance and then entering the fast will go smoothly, without consequences.

What do we have to do:

• gradually reduce the amount of dairy, meat, fatty, fried foods;
• accustom the gastrointestinal tract to fiber by introducing more salads from fresh vegetables and fruits into the menu, adding bran to dishes, replacing cooked porridges with steamed ones (for example, pour boiling water over buckwheat and leave overnight);
• drink more clean water;
• cook porridge in water, lean soups without frying;
• consume lactic acid products more often to increase the number of beneficial intestinal bacteria;
• do not increase the size of portions, use snacks made from fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

Restrictive measures are individual and you need to listen to your body to understand whether you are taking the right steps.

The meaning of autumn fasting

For Christians, dormition does not mean death, but sleep, during which a person is transported to the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Holy Apostle Paul helps us understand this holiday. (Phil. 1:21). He says that real life is only possible in Christ Jesus, so death becomes gain.

Tradition says that the Blessed Virgin Mary knew the time of Her departure from the earth. She diligently prepared for this event, prayed fervently and observed great devotion. The Holy Mother of God did not need purification; she was pure and immaculate throughout her life. With her humble behavior, the Mother of God set an example of obedience.

For the day of her departure from earthly life, the Mother of God prepared Her little room in advance. At this time, the apostles, scattered throughout the earth, were supernaturally transported to Jerusalem by the Holy Spirit. They had the opportunity to personally say goodbye to the Mother of God and receive a special blessing from Her.

Three days were spent preparing for the Assumption, the feast of the meeting of the Mother of God with Jesus in Heaven. A fragrant cloud of light covered the body of the Mother of God when She reposed. Jesus Christ himself was revealed to the apostles standing around Her, holding in his arms a swaddled baby - the soul of the newly departed Mary.

More about Orthodox fasts:

• Petrov post
• About fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays
• What is dry eating during fasting?

Over 2000 years, the soul of the Most Pure Virgin has grown and strengthened, appearing all over the world in the Light images of the icons shown by Her, giving people:

• peace, tranquility;
• strengthening faith;
• healing;
• liberation.

Observing the Assumption Great Service, believers give thanks to the Virgin Mary, who taught her people to constantly be ready to leave this world. Before her Dormition, the Holy Mother of God prayed intensely, asking God the Father and the Son not to leave His children without mercy.

Advice! On days of strict abstinence, it is not recommended to hold cheerful celebrations.

True worship should not be obscured by external attributes:

• nuts;
• honey;
• poppy;
• apples.

All this should be a pleasant addition to fasting, prayer and Liturgy.

Drinking regime

During fasting, there is a change in diet, which can cause discomfort and lead to digestive problems. To reduce this manifestation, it is recommended to follow a drinking regime. Every day you need to drink 1.5-2 liters of liquid. It is better to replace compotes, coffee, tea, juices with clean water, since it is the most physiological for the human body. This helps prevent dehydration and speeds up metabolism. Often the human brain mistakenly perceives thirst as a feeling of hunger. If you are slightly hungry, it is recommended to drink a glass of water. This will prevent frequent snacking between meals and overeating.