The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is a great church holiday celebrating the ascension of the Virgin Mary to heaven and her reunification with her son Jesus Christ. On this day, believers visit churches, participate in divine services and observe various age-old traditions.
History and date of the holiday
In 2020, Orthodox Christians will celebrate the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos on August 15. This great church holiday has been celebrated since the 5-6th century AD, and it is dedicated to the memory of the Virgin Mary, mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. After the execution of her son, she experienced extreme mental suffering, every day she visited the resting place of the Lord and prayed for reunification with him. Prayers were heard by Heaven, and one day the messenger Archangel Gabriel appeared before the woman. He said that Mary's life was coming to an end, and in three days she would ascend to the Lord.
The Mother of God went to bed, and at the appointed time her room was lit up with a bright light. Maria got up, bowed to the Lord and lay down again. After that, she fell asleep in eternal sleep, and the soul of the Virgin ascended to Heaven. The funeral of the Mother of God took place in Gethsemane, near the resting place of her parents and Joseph the Betrothed. They were attended by the apostles of Christ, and the prayer was read by John the Theologian. According to legend, the mourning procession was accompanied by miracles: a cloudy crown formed in the sky, and believers, touching the coffin, were healed of diseases.
The coffin with the body of the Virgin was placed in a cave, and its entrance was closed with stones. After that, the miracles continued: two days after the funeral, the late Apostle Thomas arrived and asked to excavate the grave. His request was fulfilled, but the body was not in the coffin. It is believed to have been taken by angels. This event is highly revered in Christianity and symbolizes the second Easter: the ascension of soul and body means victory over death and the transition to a new life, sinlessness and purity of man, his closeness to the Lord. Mary was next to her son, and now they are watching the world from Heaven together.
Celebration traditions
The Dormition of the Theotokos is a truly important holiday for believers, which is why in Russia there have long been many churches named in honor of this event. One of them is the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. It is believed that the Virgin Mary is the protector of all believers, and prayers to her help to cleanse the soul and free the heart. Since the days of paganism, the Obzhinka holiday was celebrated at this time, the traditions of which were closely intertwined with the Assumption. The belief says that the ears of wheat acquire healing power on this day, so the believers plucked them from the field and brought them to the church, praying for blessing and help in threshing.
On the Dormition, services are held in all Orthodox churches with a large gathering of believers. On this day, it is imperative to pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God and venerate it. It is allowed to bring bread and water to the lighting. After visiting the service, it is recommended to set a festive table and invite loved ones for it. Among the treats, fruits, berries and nuts must be present.
Since ancient times, the Assumption is considered to be the beginning of "Indian summer". In the villages and villages, plowing and late harvesting begins. You can start harvesting pickles for the winter. During the great holiday and during the week after it, it is necessary to take good care of the land and plants. It is forbidden to stick sharp objects into the ground, burn or throw away wheat and fruits. Also, you can not use foul language and quarrel with loved ones.
