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On
August 15th, 28th according to the Civil calendar, the Feast of the
Dormition of the Theotokos is celebrated each year in the
Orthodox
Church. The feast is one of the 12 Great Feasts and is considered a
"Marian Feast" as it is dedicated to an event in the life of our Lady,
the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary.
So
beloved is our Lady in Christendom that the greatest of all churches
have been dedicated to her honor. The Theotokos takes a special place
in the heart of all Orthodox Christians for she is not only the Mother
of our Lord, but the Mother of our God, thus she is rightly called
Theotokos - the Greek form meaning "Mother of God". She is the example
for all Christians and her passing from this life, "her falling asleep"
is celebrated by the Orthodox Church in the Feast of the Dormition.
In
Christ, death is merely a falling asleep and is not eternal, for all
Christians hope for that great and awesome day of the General
Resurrection. In the bodily translation of the Theotokos, we are
granted a glimpse of the desired reward for all Christians. So great,
so honored, so beloved is she who is "higher than the heavens" and
"more honourable than the Cherubim" that the faithful call on her aid
and intercessions in time of need and despair. As a loving mother, she
is the consolation of the faithful and the Hope of Christians.
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