The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, aFeast day established by the Church, is also astrict fast day because of the grief of Christiansat the violent death of the saint. In someOrthodox cultures pious people will not eat foodfrom a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that isround in shape on this day.
On that day (11 September), the Church makesremembrance of Orthodox soldiers killed on thefield of battle, as established in 1769 at the timeof Russia’s war with the Turks and the Poles.