The Dormition Fast

On August 1st the Bulgarian Orthodox Church begins a two-week fast in honor of the Holy Theotokos, in preparation for the celebration of her holy Dormition (falling asleep). The fast ends on August 15th, the day we celebrate the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. Bulgarian Orthodox Church observes several fasts during the year, which means abstinence from ingredients containing blood, from dairy products, and at times from olive oil, and wine as well. The last day prior the Fasts is called Zagovezni in Bulgarian – the day when animal food is allowed. The year has several Zagovezni days - the Second Sunday before the Lent, the First Sunday before Lent, Petrovi Zagovezni – prior the beginning of the Peter’s Fast, Dormition fast, and the Advent Zagovezni. The Dormition fast is short, but is stricter than all the other fasting periods except Great Lent. We fast on all days from the usual non-lenten foods, such as all animal products (meat, milk, cheese, etc.) and olive oil and wine. In addition, we also abstain from fish on all days of the fast, including weekends, except for the feast of the Transfiguration, when we may ease our fasting by having fish, wine and olive oil. On the two weekends which fall during the fast (Saturday and Sunday), the fast is relaxed a little bit, and we may have wine, and olive oil, but no fish.
Today the women named Evdokia celebrate their name day.