Dormition Fast begins each year on August 1st and lasts two weeks (1-15 August). It is also known as Holy Great Lent or Saintmary’s Fast. It prepares Christians for two major celebrations in August: Transfiguration (6 August) and Assumption (15 August).

The origin of this fast was fixed in the fifth century, when developed cult of the Virgin. At first during the Dormition Fast it was different for Christians, those of Antioch fasted one day, on August 6, while in Jerusalem this post held eight days. There were Christians who fasted the whole month of August, while others fasted in September. Smoothing the date and duration of the post held in sec. XII, the local synod of Constantinople (1166), led by Ecumenical Patriarch Luke Crysoverghis. Here it was determined that this post be held from 1 August and end on August 15, the Feast Day of the Assumption.

Dormition Fast means not only abstinence from certain foods, but from all that separates us from God. If we keep away from certain foods, we keep away from sins. Let us not grieve that we lose the satisfaction that brings food from “sweet” for the detention of her we partake of the gifts that make us heirs of the kingdom of God.

Making food for prayer time job and see how nutritious and cheap food is the real job. There is a call to fasting beyond our reach, but we must remember that fasting and prayer needs. Without it, two weeks post will be painful and will appear to have no end.

There ordinance that with Vespers to commit at this time of the Dormition Fast and the two chapels of the Virgin Mary, and on the eve of the feast, the Lamentations of Mary.

The chapel is a service of specific prayer for the living (unlike requiem, which is a service for the dead). Most often, this prayer is addressed to the Virgin, but can be used to ask the intercession of any other saint.

The distinctive feature of the chapel is the inclusion of a canon of prayer to the saint whose intercession is required. The chapel can be served alone or in a slightly shortened version, with Vespers. It is suitable to be served at any time of trouble.

In the Slavic tradition, there is a similar service that is called Molieben-it can be served separately or with Mass.

The station Virgin Mary (August 1 to 14), it serves a chapel every evening, except evenings before the feast of the Transfiguration (August 5th) and Assumption (14 August).

Chapel of Lent St. Mary contains alternatively Canon small prayer to the Mother of God (compound Theosterictus monk in the late ninth century) and Canon small prayer to the Mother of God (composed by Emperor Theodore I Ducas Lascaris century XIII ).

Outside the post of Mary, the Mother of God chapels are always small prayer chanted by Canon.

Texts of the various canons of prayer can be found in many popular prayer books, service books and Hours.