Fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos

Today begins the Fast of the Dormition of the Theotokos which leads to the Feast of the Dormition on 15 August which celebrates the falling asleep of Mary, the Mother of Our Lord.

The Feast of the Dormition or Falling Asleep of the Theotokos commemorates the death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ's mother. To help us in our preparation of the feast, it is preceded by a two week fast. As with the Nativity of the Virgin (September 8/21) and the feast of her Entrance to the Temple (November 21/December 4), the Feast of the Dormition also comes from the Tradition of the Church.

There we learn that Mary died as all people die because she had a mortal human nature affected by the corruption of this world. The Church proclaims that Mary needed to be saved by Christ just as all of us are saved from trials, sufferings, and death of this world. Having truly died, she was raised by her Son as the "Mother of Life" and already participates in the eternal life of paradise which is prepared and promised to all who "hear the word of God and keep it." (Luke 11:27-28) Finally, we celebrate the fact that what happens to Mary happens to all who imitate her holy life of humility, obedience and love.

It is important to remember that there are no relics of the Theotokos. Their existence has never been mentioned throughout history. At one time in Constantinople there was a center of pilgrimage where the belt and veil of the Virgin were venerated.
Adapted from The Orthodox Church, Volume II: Worship, by Fr. Thomas Hopko.

In the icon of this Feast, the Theotokos is laying on her funeral bier with the Apostles all around her. Christ is behind the bier, holding an infant swaddled in white which represents the soul of the Theotokos reborn in her glory in heaven; Christ also is robed in white and appears in an "aureole" or elongated halo which represents the Light of His Divinity.

The Apostles are shown on either side of the bier; the group on the left is led by St. Peter who stands at the head of the bier; the group on the right is led by St. Paul who stands at the foot.

Below the bier is a figure of Antonius the Jew, who tried to disrupt the procession, was punished, but later repented of his sins and embraced Christianity through Baptism.

I spent last night reading the Paraklesis (a service of intercession that has a canon to a saint included) to the Theotokos. It is also called the Small Supplicatory Canon . I also read the Akathist to the Theotokos, Joy of All Who Sorrow. Both of these are beautiful prayers and very soothing to the soul. I go the this Akathist regularly. An akathist, by the way, is a prayer that is read akathistos or standing.

With power from on high, do Thou strengthen me, who am afflicted in body and soul, O good Lady, and vouchsafe me Thy visitation and provident care, dispelling the gloom of despondency and sorrow which enfold me, that saved by Thee I may unceasingly cry out to God:
Alleluia!