Beginning of the Dormition Fast

Beginning of the Dormition Fast — Procession of the Cross.

On the first of August the Church enters the Dormition Fast, two weeks of fasting and prayer in preparation for the great feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15. During these days the faithful gather in the evenings for the Paraklesis, the supplicatory canon to the Mother of God, seeking her intercession.

On this day the Church also keeps the Procession of the Precious Cross, an observance from Constantinople in which the Cross was carried forth for the blessing and protection of the people. The fast begins on August 1.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Beginning of the Dormition Fast is commemorated on August 1. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on August 14 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on August 1

• Elesa of Kythira

  Martyr, Ελέσα

  Holy Virgin-Martyr Elesa, patron saint of Kythira and protector of childbirth and expectant mothers.

  Name days: Elesa, Elessa

• Procession of the Precious Cross

  Saint, Πρόοδος Τιμίου Σταυρού

  Procession of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, opening the Dormition Fast with the blessing of waters.

• Seven Maccabees, Solomone and Eleazar

  Martyr, Επτά Μακκαβαίοι, Σολομονή και Ελεάζαρ

  The seven Maccabee brothers, their mother Solomone and their teacher Eleazar, martyred for the Law of God before Christ.

  Name days: Eleazar, Solomoni, Solomone

• Nine Martyrs of Perge

  Saint, Εννέα Μάρτυρες Πέργης

  Holy Nine Martyrs who suffered at Perge in Pamphylia under Diocletian.

• Timothy of Proconnesus

  Hierarch, Τιμόθεος Προκοννήσου

  Saint Timothy the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Proconnesus.

• Anthony the New of Constantinople

  Venerable, Αντώνιος ο Νέος

  Venerable Anthony the New, wonderworker and ascetic.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.