The commemoration of the Dormition of the Theotokos and the preparation for the Feast begin on August 1 with a period of fasting. A strict fast is followed on most of the days (no meat, dairy, oil, or wine), with the exceptions of fish on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the day of the Dormition. Oil and Wine are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays.

On the weekdays before the Feast, Paraklesis services are held in most parishes. These consist of the Great Paraklesis and the Small Paraklesis, both services of supplication and prayer for the intercessions of the Theotokos.

The Feast of the Dormition is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom which is conducted on the morning of the Feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast of the Dormition are the following: At Vespers: Genesis 28:10-17; Ezekiel 43:27-44:4; Proverbs 9:1-11. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.

 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.      Luke 2:46-47 Dear beloved in the Lord,Imagine if those around us were astonished about our knowledge of the faith. Imagine if we and our children would take the opportunity to study and learn the faith to the point that we could not only defend it but also internalize the life changing knowledge that Orthodoxy has to offer. Every day we who live in this pluralistic society are being tugged to alter the way we think about God and how to act. This is especially true when it come to our religious understanding. We are asked to think in a way that if we are not careful, our Christianity can and will be replaced by secularism (of or relating to the worldly or temporal, living without religious beliefs). The only weapon that will help us keep our Orthodoxy is to have a greater understanding of what Christ taught, what he handed to the Apostles and that which was preserved through the Holy Traditions of the Orthodox Church