From August 1, the Church enters the Dormition fast, which lasts until August 14.
Saint Symeon of Thessaloniki states that this fast “is in honour of the Mother of God, who, knowing in advance of her translation from the world, had always been fighting for you and fasting, although she did not need fasting, for she was pure and immaculate. She was living an angelic life, prayed constantly and always implored for us. That is why we must fast to imitate her life.”
During this period, we fast all days of the week except Saturday and Sunday, where only wine and oil can be consumed.
On the day of the Transfiguration of Jesus, on August 6, fish can be consumed.
Fish is also expected to be consumed if the Feast of the Dormition (August 15) coincides with Wednesday or Friday.
Fasting, according to the Holy Fathers, is good because we participate in the liturgical life of the Church. Any disconnection of fasting from the life of the Church Body can have unforeseen spiritual effects.
Also, as the Fathers say, when we sin and do not confess, in the end, we are overwhelmed by despair, so we mistakenly believe, among other things, that it is futile to fast or that fasting is not important in our lives. However, this is something that believers arrange in consultation with their spiritual father, since fasting is not harmful for the body, as the Holy Fathers say, but a means by which men reshape their character, a tool by which they forge their passions.
