Church celebrates the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos
The icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Photo: open sources
On August 28 (August 15 according to the Julian calendar), the Orthodox Church celebrates the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos – one of the most important feasts of the church calendar, also known as the little Pascha. This day concludes the two-week Dormition Fast and is especially revered among believers.
According to church tradition, the Most Holy Virgin Mary received the news of her approaching blessed repose from the Archangel Gabriel. The Theotokos passed away surrounded by the apostles in Jerusalem. When the Apostle Thomas arrived on the third day and they opened the tomb, the body of the Mother of God was gone – She was taken up to heaven with both body and soul, as it is written: "Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified" (Ps. 131: 8).
The Feast of the Dormition concludes the strict fast that lasted from August 14 to 27. The feast remains one of the central events of the church year for Orthodox Christians.
Earlier, the UOJ analyzed why the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is both a tragic and festive event.
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