Dormition of Blessed Virgin Mary – The Theotokos delivers her soul, Full of Light

It was the Lord’s day, and the 15th day of the month of August, when that blessed hour that all were awaiting drew near. It was the third hour of the day (nine o’clock in the morning). In the room, the Holy Apostles were offering praise to God, with many lamps burning. Theotokos lay, preparing herself for her blessed end when her beloved Son and Lord would come to her. She then greeted each of the Holy Apostles with a blessing.

She then stretched her hands heavenward and prayed, saying, “I revere, praise, and glorify Thy much to be praised name, ……… For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” After this prayer, she said to the Holy Apostles, “Cast incense and pray, because Christ is coming with a host of Angels. And behold, Christ is at hand, sitting on a throne of Cherubim!” When they had prayed, there was thunder from heaven and there came a fearful voice, as if of chariots. Behold, a multitude of a host of Angels and Powers, and a voice, as if of the Son of Man was heard!

Then there shone in the room an ineffable Light of Divine Glory which dimmed the lamps. Those that were granted this vision were struck awestricken. It was Christ the King of Glory with Hosts of Angels and Archangels, and all the Heavenly Powers. At the sight of the approach of her Son, the Theotokos cried with great joy unto her Son, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46-47). And, beheld, a stream of Light come upon the Ever-Virgin because of the presence of her Son, and all the powers of the heavens fell and adored Him! He then said, “Mother.” And she answered, “Here am I, Lord.” She delivers her soul full of light.

Raising herself from her bed as if she were trying to go to meet her Son, she worshipped the Lord. “…Then the Lord stretched forth His undefiled right hand and blessed His Mother. She then took hold of His hand and kissed it, saying, “I venerate this right hand, which created the heaven and the earth.“

While uttering this, the Holy Apostles went up to her feet. Feeling unspeakable joy at the right of the radiant face of her Son and God, the Mother of God, surrendered her pure soul into the hands of the Lord and Son. She felt no pain whatsoever, but it was as if she had fallen into a sweet sleep. At once there began wonderful and joyous Angelic singing repeating the former words of Gabriel; “Rejoice, thou who hast been shown grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed are thou among women” (Luke 1:28).

“…With such triumphant hymns did the heavenly Hosts accompany the Holy soul of the Theotokos as she went in the arms of the Lord to the dwelling above…When they (the Apostles) came to themselves, the Holy Disciples worshipped the Lord Who had raised His Mother’s soul to heaven with glory, and they surrounded her bed with weeping.

The Apostle Thomas arrived three days later. On the third day after the burial St. Thomas was suddenly caught up in a cloud in India and transported to a place in the air above the tomb of the Virgin. From that vantage point, he beheld the translation of her body into the heavens, and cried out to her, “Whither goest thou, O all-holy one?” She removed her girdle and gave it to him saying, “Receive this, my friend.” And then she was gone.

He then descended to find the other disciples keeping watch over he sepulchre of the Theotokos. He sat down beside them, with the girdle in his hand, greatly saddened that he had not been there when she reposed, as had been the other Apostles. He said, I beseech you, my fellow disciples: open the tomb, that I also may look upon her remains, and embrace them, and bid her farewell!” The Apostles took pity on St. Thomas and opened the tomb. All that remained were her burial clothes, which emitted a wonderful unearthly fragrance and the sweet smell of flowers and they heard an angelic chorus filled the tomb. Mary herself appeared to them and confirmed her translation into heaven and comforted them all saying that she would always be with them.

The Orthodox Church of Syria possessed a part of the girdle cloth (soonoro) of Virgin Mary received by St. Thomas. A portion of this girdle cloth was given to H.H. Baselios Ougen I, Catholicos on Feb. 9th, 1965 by Melitius Mar Barnabas, while the Catholicos was on his visit to the church of Syria. It was from then preserved at the Cheriapalli, Kottayam and another part at the Manarkad Church.

To conclude Holy Virgin Mary is first of all saints, the first Christian, Mother of humanity, full of grace, blessed of all women, Mother of God, we revere her, and we ask for her intercession. The Orthodox Church continues to “venerate “Mary by giving her the title “Queen of Saints”. A fundamental truth is plainly expressed in the liturgical prayers. Mary’s link with her Son, her place within the saving and redemptive mission of Christ, never for one moment is forgotten. Mary is honoured by the Church, not primarily for herself, but as Mother of the Lord – because it was within her womb that the hypostatic union between God and man was brought to pass in Christ. Mary is always venerated because of the Child that she bore: Mother and Son are not to be separated, but Mary is to be understood in the light of Christ. For us Mary’s strength and power is derived from her son, Jesus, hence pictures or icons in our homes or churches should show Mary with the infant Jesus.

The feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, is celebrated today, commemorates her death, and glorification, The Dormition is the oldest celebrated feast day of Blessed Virgin Mary, of she being taken bodily to Heaven after her death.. The feast celebrates the special place that Mary has in the life of the Church. The central mystery of her life and person is her divine motherhood.

It is indeed a happy coincidence to celebrate the Independence Day of our Country and Church, on the feast of the Assumption Day. It is to our blessed mother that we dedicate our country as she is our patron. We pray to her that she may protect our country and make our freedom a true and real one.

Most Holy Theotokos! Pray for us and Help us.