The Dormition of the Mother of God is observed in the Eastern Orthodox Churches worldwide every August 28. This feast celebrates the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, with differing beliefs between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches regarding her death and assumption; the Orthodox Church teaches that Mary died before being assumed, while the Catholic Church believes she was assumed before her death. In preparation for the feast, many Christians participate in a strict two-week fast that prohibits red meat, meat products, poultry, dairy products, oil, fish, and wine. On the day of the feast, a special liturgy is held in every Orthodox Church. The Dormition is particularly significant in Eastern European countries, where it is a public holiday in Georgia, Serbia, and the Republic of Macedonia.