Dormition Fast

Bishop Iustin urges prayer and repentance in Romania – „the Garden of the Mother of God”

At the beginning of the Dormition Fast, Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar delivered a pastoral message urging priests, monastics, and faithful to dedicate themselves to prayer, repentance, and active participation in church services, while recalling that Romania is traditionally known as the “Garden of the Mother of God.” In his message, Bishop Iustin described…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Cluj Metropolitan: Combine bodily discipline with inner purification during Dormition Fast

His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj has urged the faithful to live the Dormition Fast not merely as a dietary restriction, but as a time for strengthening prayer, reconciling with God, and purifying the soul. “Let us fast not only from food, but also from evil,” the hierarch said, emphasising that true fasting combines bodily…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan urges charity and prayer during Dormition Fast

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat has urged the faithful to use the next two weeks to visit and comfort those who are suffering – whether in hospitals, care homes, or at home – especially the lonely, marginalised, and elderly without support. At the beginning of the Dormition Fast, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan delivered a…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Dormition Fast begins August 1: brief guidelines

The Dormition Fast begins this Friday and lasts for two weeks for Orthodox Christians observing the revised calendar. This year, the fast will also conclude on a Friday, which means it will be extended by one day, in accordance with the General Liturgics. “The fast is prolonged to include the feast day itself if it…

Jul 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas on the Dormition Fast: History, practices, and spiritual significance

At the beginning of the Dormition Fast, Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas published a message describing the history and characteristics of this fasting season, which he described as the “appropriate time to read the Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God and fervently ask for her help and protection.” His Eminence recalled that the Dormition…

Aug 1, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Ioan of Banat calls for acts of kindness during the Dormition Fast

“We are all called to weave a crown of good deeds, following the example of the Mother of God and the saints, by helping our brothers and sisters who are suffering at home and in hospitals, orphans and widows, the elderly burdened by loneliness, need, and frailty, and large families, combining good deeds with prayer,”…

Jul 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

7 short prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos

During the period of fasting dedicated to preparing for the Dormition of the Mother of God, let us not neglect to offer her praise, gratitude, and even our most fervent petitions as often as possible. In addition to the simplest and most frequently recited prayer – “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” – we offer seven…

Aug 11, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

15 Patriarch Daniel quotes on the Mother of God: A model of humble obedience for angels and humans

The Dormition Fast is a favourable time for prayer, especially to the Mother of God, who is “a merciful intercessor and mediatress for mankind.” Basilca.ro offers you a collection of 15 quotes about the Mother of God selected from the sermons of Patriarch Daniel: The Mother of God is the one from whom the eternal…

Aug 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan urges priests to visit and help seniors during Dormition Fast

In a message at the beginning of the Dormition Fast, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat has urged priests and believers to visit older persons in hospitals, retirement homes or private homes because “they are often alone and marginalised.” The metropolitan reminded that the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church dedicated 2023 to the…

Aug 2, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan urges fervent prayers for peaceful times during Dormition Fast

Metropolitan Ioan of Banat addressed a message to the clergy and faithful for the Dormition Fast, urging more prayer, reflection and acts of charity. “During these two weeks of fasting, we fatherly urge all our brothers and sisters in the monastic order, the priests and the faithful of our archdiocese, to get closer to God,…

Aug 9, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

The first half of August is an opportunity to talk to the Mother of our Life: Bp Atanasie of Bogdania

In a message occasioned by the Dormition Fast, Assistant Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania spoke about the help the Most Holy Theotokos granted throughout history and the importance of prayer to the Mother of our Life. “The first half of August is a blessing for us, an opportunity to move away from everyday wear and tear;…

Aug 5, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu