Romanian Orthodox Church observes Dormition Fast (Postul Sfintei Marii)

The Romanian Orthodox Church marks the two‑week Dormition Fast, known locally as Postul Sfintei Marii, each year from 1 August (or 31 July) until 14 August. The fast precedes the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on 15 August and is regarded as one of the strictest periods of abstinence in the Orthodox calendar.

During the fast believers refrain from eating meat, dairy products, eggs and, except on designated fish‑allowance days, fish. Alcohol, smoking, weddings, baptisms and other celebrations are also prohibited, and the faithful are encouraged to increase prayer, confession and charitable deeds.

The current form of the fast was codified at the 1166 Constantinople Synod convened by Patriarch Luca Hrisoverghi, standardising the dates for all Orthodox communities. While the fast is primarily a spiritual preparation, it is accompanied by numerous Romanian folk customs and superstitions linked to the Dormition celebration.