Feast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady, The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
The Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and
Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15 each year. The Feast
commemorates the repose (dormition and in the Greek kimisis) or
"falling-asleep" of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Feast also
commemorates the translation or assumption into heaven of the body of the
Theotokos.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2017)
The Theotokos is compassionate because she is the mother of our Lord Jesus
Christ who revealed to us the grace of God through His ministry and
teaching. She carried the Compassionate Savior in her womb. In the Holy
Scriptures we read how our Lord saw the physical and spiritual needs of
many, and He had compassion. They were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark
6:34). They were hungry, blind, sick, suffering and rejected. He felt and
understood their struggles and needs, and in compassion He blessed their
lives through the power of grace.
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Exploring the Feasts of the Orthodox Christian Church: The Dormition of the Theotokos
In this video, we focus on the commemoration of the death of the Virgin
Mary. We learn about the special liturgical season surrounding this event,
and the different elements in the Orthodox commemoration of it, as it
closes the Church year.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2016)
The Virgin Mary knew the voice of Christ because she shared a unique
relationship with Him as His mother. She heard His voice from birth
throughout His life and ministry; she heard His words as He grew; she
marveled at His wisdom as a youth; she listened to His teaching; she was
burdened with great sorrow when He cried out from the Cross; and she was
filled with great joy following His resurrection and hearing His promises.
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Learn to Chant - Paraklesis
Learn to chant the service of Paraklesis. The service of the Small
Paraklesis is one of the most popular services of the Orthodox Church. The
service of the Small Paraklesis, conducted in alternation with the Great
Paraklesis during the Dormition fast (August 1-14) as well as on many other
occasions, is chanted in times of distress and sorrow of soul and is one of
the most popular services of the Orthodox Church. Translated and set to
meter by Demetri Kangelaris and Nicholas Kasemeotes. Audio courtesy of
Eikona.
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Hymns of the Dormition
Listen to the Hymns of the Feast of the Dormition
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God's Mother, Our Mother
Who is the Theotokos, and why is she so important?
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (08/15/2012)
When we reflect on this extraordinary experience of the Apostles of our
Lord, we can see how this blessed Feast and the witness of the Theotokos
inspire us in our sacred work of sharing the Gospel.
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Encyclical for the Feast of the Dormition (08/15/2010)
On this blessed feast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos
and Ever-Virgin Mary, I greet you in the joy that we know through the life
and intercessions of the Mother of our Lord. As witnessed by the hymn above
and of all the services that we observe for this Feast, the commemoration
of the Dormition of the Theotokos is not an occasion for mourning,
expressing grief or feeling a sense of loss over the earthly departure of a
close and cherished life. This is a feast of praise and celebration, filled
with true joy.
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