Orthodox Christians around the world observe four fasting seasons during the year. Two of these - the Great Fast for the forty days of Lent, and the Dormition Fast in August are considered “strict” fasts. The other two are generally observed as “lesser” fasts: the so-called “Christmas Lent” or fast during the forty days before the Feast of the Nativity, and the Fast of the Apostles which occurs in July.
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