The Dormition of our Most Holy, Glorious Lady – The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin

The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Mother of God), known is the West under the name of the Assumption of St. Mary. This feast is called by our Church as Shunoyo (Syriac) meaning departure of the soul of Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Church commemorates on this day her death, burial and departure of her soul to heaven, and is expressed as Vaangippu, (repose, falling asleep). So, this Feast commemorates the repose (dormition and in the Greek kimisis) or “falling-asleep” of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. This feast comprises two distinct but inseparable moments for the faith of the Church; firstly, the Death and Burial, and second, the Resurrection and Ascension of the Mother of God. The sacred Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos marks her repose, which was followed by the translation of her sacred body three days later into heaven. This feast, therefore, marks her soul being    commended into her Son’s hands and the short sojourn of her body in the tomb.

After the Ascension of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God was their joy in sorrow and their firm teacher in the Faith and the one consolation for His holy Disciples. She strengthened Her Son’s Disciples and She spoke to them about all the words and wondrous events which she had laid up in her heart, from the beginning and then disclosed to them, starting with the Archangels Gabriel’s joyful tiding regarding the seedless conception and the incorruptible birth of Christ from her virgin womb.

After the Pentecost, at Jerusalem, the Virgin Theotokos dwelt in the house of Saint John the Theologian, the beloved disciple of the Lord, at Mount Sion. She remained constant in Her ascetic labour of fasting and prayer. She ever harboured a fervent desire to behold Her Son. Virgin Theotokos “healed many sick people and freed those overcome by impure spirits; She gave alms and sympathy to the poor and to the widows.” Indeed, all who beheld the Mother of God considered themselves blessed. Truly blessed were the eyes that beheld Her and the ears that were granted to hear Her most precious words, which renew us to the spiritual life; verily, what joy and grace they received! Elsewhere, St. Ignatius commented that “he who is devout to the Virgin Mother will certainly never be lost.” The Evangelist Luke, chief of the iconographers, depicted her image. She approved the making of sacred icons (images), saying, “may the grace of Him Who was born of me, through me, be imparted to the icons.”

The Theotokos, would often pray to Jesus from the Mount of Olives, the place of her Son’s Ascension into heaven. Archangel Gabriel once appeared to her and revealed to her that her life on earth was to come to an end. He gave her a palm branch from paradise and told her that it was to be carried during her funeral procession, which would come to pass in three days’ time. Knowing that her end was near, she desired and prayed that she would once more see the holy apostles, and it happened so, in this way.

While the Mother of God was making arrangements for her death, all of a sudden, a noise was heard similar to a clap of thunder. A cloud then encircled the home of Saint John the Theologian. By the command of God, angels had seized the holy Apostles that were scattered to the ends of the world and brought them on clouds to Jerusalem. All, except the Apostle Thomas, were then transported to Mount Sion, before the door of the house where the Theotokos dwelt. The choir of Apostles was most wondrously and miraculously brought together from the ends of the earth.

Therefore, on seeing one another, the holy Apostles rejoiced, but at the same time, they wondered and said, “Why has the Lord gathered us together in this place?” Saint John the Theologian then went out to them and greeted them with joyful tears. He then informed them of the speedy departure of the Most Holy Mother of God. Then the Holy Apostles understood that the Lord had gathered them from the various parts of the world to be present at the blessed end of His Mother, and for the honourable burial of her body, as is meet. Nevertheless, her departure from among them brought intense sorrow to their hearts.

Entering the house, they beheld the Mother of God wearing a joyful countenance, sitting upon her bed. Then, the holy Apostles then greeted the Mother of Life with these words: “Blessed art thou of the Lord Who made heaven and the earth!” St Mary replied, “Peace to you, brethren, chosen by the Lord Himself.” The Mother of God learned that Peter came from Rome, Mark from Alexandria, Matthew from a boat, and the others from diverse situations, she glorified God Who had hearkened to her prayer and fulfilled the desire of her heart to behold the Holy Apostles at the hour of her death. She then said, “Watch and pray with me, that when the Lord comes to receive my soul, He may find you watching.” Although I shall be going to my Son, O friends of my Son, yet I will not be apart from you, nor from them that call upon me. Rather, I shall bean intercessor and mediatress for all the Christians before my beloved Son. Therefore, do not weep, O friends and Disciples of my Son and God. Do not darken my joy by your sorrow and mourning. Much rather, rejoice with me, for I am going away to my Son and God. My body, which I have myself prepared for burial, commit to the earth in Gethsemane. Afterward, return to the preaching of the Gospel appointed to you. “If the Lord, will it, you shall see me after my departure.”