TODAY WE OBSERVE GOSPOJINSKE POKLADE: This is the last day before the start of the strictest fast, here is what you need to know!

[The Serbian Orthodox Church] and its faithful are observing Gospojinske Poklade today, the last day before the beginning of the Dormition Fast, which is considered one of the strictest

The Dormition Fast always begins on August 14, on the day of the Holy Maccabean Martyrs, and lasts for two weeks.

It is one of the strictest fasts, observed in remembrance of the death of the Mother of God and the day when she ascended to heaven on August 28. This day is known among the people as Velika Gospojina, and is known as a holiday of mothers and children.

This is one of the greatest Christian holidays.

For Christians, fasting is not merely abstaining from fatty and animal-based foods, but primarily has a spiritual dimension and is reflected in refraining from evil thoughts, words and deeds, as well as increasing prayer and performing acts of charity.

Fasting was introduced by [Jesus Christ], who fasted for 40 days and nights in the desert, after which he emerged victorious over the temptations set before him by Satan. In the calendar of the Serbian Orthodox Church, in addition to one-day fasts, there are also multi-day fasts, namely, besides the Dormition Fast, the Great or Lenten Fast, the Christmas Fast, and the Apostles’ Fast.

The toast on this day says: “Forgive me, we enter the fast as into the sea,” while those present respond: “May God forgive you, forgive me too.”

The Dormition Fast is the shortest of the four major annual fasts, lasting 15 days, from August 14 to 28, but it is stricter than the Christmas and Apostles’ Fasts.

Throughout the entire fast, food is eaten without oil, except on Sundays, when oil and wine are permitted.