Today mark the start of the two-week fast that the Church keeps to help us prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition, or falling asleep, of the Holy Theotokos on 15 August.
The fast begins with the procession of the Precious Cross of the Lord, which originates from the twelfth century Constantinople when the Precious Cross was brought out in procession as protection against disease.
On the weekdays during the fast the Paraklesis service is often held in many churches.
The Dormition fast is a relatively strict fast, with abstention from all animal products, although fish may be eaten on the Feast of the Transfiguration (6 August) and oil and wine are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays.