For Orthodox Christian believers, the two-week Holy Lent, which is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, begins Monday. This lent was instituted in prayerful remembrance of the Holy Mother of God.
According to its length of time, it is the shortest of the four annual fasts and lasts 15 days, that is, every year it begins on the day of the celebration of the holy seven Maccabees (August 1/14) and ends on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15/28).
Spiritual fasting always implies renunciation of all forms of sinful and evil thoughts, desires and deeds, while physical fasting is only a necessary auxiliary means for a successful spiritual struggle against passions. The day of the celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 28, is a non-working day for citizens of the Orthodox confession.
