After Jesus entered the Kingdom of Heaven, he began to take care of the Mother of God. And when he set off on a long journey and was not around, the Mother of God lived in the house of his parents.
Believers constantly came to her to see the Mother of God with their own eyes and talk about the events that were happening in her life, about her son Christ and his birth. She, in turn, constantly preached Christianity and prayed a lot.
As the legend says
Icon "Assumption" Holy Mother of God" - what is depicted on it? More about all this below.
So, when mass persecution of Christians began, Mary and the Theologian went to Ephesus, where John was going to preach the Christian faith to people. It was then that the Mother of God visited Lazarus of the Four Days, who lived in Cyprus. And when Mary ascended to Holy Athos, she said these words: “This place will be my lot, given to me by my Son and My God. I will be the Intercessor of this place and the Intercessor for God about it.”
Just shortly before her Assumption, the Mother of God visited Jerusalem. Soon she became known all over the world. And here the believers went to her for sermons, and her enemies fervently wanted to kill her. But the Lord safely protected her from all attacks and dangers.
At the Holy Sepulcher
The Virgin Mary returned home cheerful. She was happy to meet her son. The only thing she asked the Lord was for him to gather all the apostles, who in the meantime were preaching Christianity in different parts of the world, before her death. Very often she came to the Holy Sepulcher. There she prayed for a long time and thought about something. And on one of these days, during prayer, he came down to her from heaven. He told her that soon her earthly life would end and life in heaven would begin.
Actually, it is from here that the story of what the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary icon represents begins.
What is depicted on the icon?
That day has come. The hour of the Assumption was approaching. The Virgin Mary lay and prayed on a bed, which was decorated with beautiful fabrics, and many candles burned around it. The apostles gathered next to her. Everyone was waiting for the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos to happen.
This icon captured precisely this alarming hour. Suddenly the candles went out and the room was illuminated with a blinding light. It was Christ himself who descended from heaven, accompanied by Angels and Archangels and many other souls. This is the meaning of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary icon.
Mary rejoiced when she saw her son alive and unharmed, and then she rose from her bed and bowed to him to the very ground. According to ancient legend, without any suffering or pain, Holy Mary gave up her soul into the hands of Jesus and the Lord. Following the Divine light, singing was heard in the room, the heavenly gates opened and received the soul of the Mother of God.
About the options for executing the image and the burial itself
Each icon of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary is made in its own style. But it reflects the same events. Somewhere there is simply a picture of Mary’s dying hour surrounded by the apostles. And somewhere above the Mother of God lying on her bed you can see the Divine light and Jesus with the Angels and Archangels.
After the soul of the Mother of God ascended to heaven, a luminous circle like a large crown appeared above her body. Until the burial, this circle accompanied the body of Mary.
Dozens of believers accompanied her on her last journey, which the Jewish priests and some leaders did not like very much. At one point, one such priest, named Afonia, ran up to the tomb of the Virgin Mary and tried to overturn the body of the Virgin Mary to the ground. For this, the invisible angel who followed the coffin cut off his hands. The priest fell to his knees, repented of his evil intentions and began to ask for mercy, and healed Athos. The icon "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" in some versions may have an image of this scene.
Further, according to legend, Jewish soldiers rushed with weapons at the crowd of people who were carrying the coffin with the body of the Mother of God, but a mysterious circle blocked their way. They buried the Virgin Mary in a cave, the entrance of which was closed with a large stone-boulder. What was the surprise of the believers when, after three days of tireless prayers, they returned to the cave and opened the coffin, and the body of the Mother of God was no longer there! Only at the bottom could her burial shroud be seen.
This miracle indicated that the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven with her body.
A little about the holiday itself
The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and her ascension into heaven is evidenced by the many churches and monasteries that were built in honor of this event. And on this majestic and solemn day, all believers can feel that the Mother of God is with us, and through prayer to her everyone will receive her maternal intercession and intercession. The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the oldest holiday that appeared many centuries ago. The church is preparing for it through a special one that was established in ancient times.
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Description of the icon of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
The icon is dedicated to the twelfth (one of twelve) feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After the Ascension of Christ, the Mother of God remained in the care of the Apostle John. She often came to pray at the Holy Sepulcher. On one of these visits to Golgotha, during prayer, Archangel Gabriel appeared before Her and announced Her imminent transmigration from earthly life to eternal life.
The Mother of God joyfully received the news of the imminent meeting with Her Son and asked the Lord to gather for Her death the apostles who were preaching the Gospel at that time in different parts of the world. And Christ truly miraculously gathered the apostles to the bed on which the Mother of God, preparing to depart into another world, reclined.
And then everyone saw how Christ descended in the radiance of divine light, surrounded by many Heavenly Powers, and the Most Holy Theotokos gave up her soul into His hands. The Blessed Virgin was buried in Gethsemane. Tradition tells of many miracles that accompanied the burial of the Most Holy Theotokos. Crowds of people followed Her body, which did not please the Jewish leaders and priests.
One of the Jewish priests named Athonia grabbed the coffin with his hands in order to overturn it, but an angel invisibly following the coffin cut off his hands. Athos in repentance fell to his knees in front of the tomb, asking for mercy, and the Apostle Peter healed him. This scene is depicted on some icon lists. The Savior is depicted in the middle of the bed, having received the soul of the Virgin Mary.
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Akathist to the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Kontakion 1
Chosen from all generations Mother of God and to the Queen, ascending from earth to Heaven, we offer reverent singing about Your most honorable Assumption, Your servants, Theotokos. But You, who have victory over death, free us from all deadly troubles, let us call You: Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Ikos 1
A representative angel was sent to quickly proclaim to the Mother of God Her ascendance to the worldly Ones and come to present Her Son and God to Her, shining brightly about Her and standing, calling like this: Rejoice, overjoyed Mother of the Tsar; Rejoice, Heavenly Queen, Mother of God and Lord of Heaven and earth. Rejoice, preferred by the majesty of the coming to You of Your Son and God; Rejoice, exalted by the announcement of Your departure to the Son. Rejoice, chosen by God from all generations; Rejoice, holy receptacle of the Word of God. Rejoice, fulfillment of the prophetic prophecy; Rejoice, most honorable crowned Apostle. Rejoice, ornament of the saint and goodness of the priest; Rejoice, ruler of fertilizer and power. Rejoice, raising the God-wise monks to the Heavenly Kingdom; Rejoice, opening the doors of heaven to the Christian race, ever blessed by You. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the face of the Apostles, with an omnipotent wave from the ends of the earth to the clouds, they presented themselves to Thy Most Honorable One, Most Immaculate. Dormition, high priests: Dionysius - the heavenly mystery, the wondrous Hierotheus and Timothy with the divine honor of the priesthood to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
All rational creation, the oldest of the angelic ranks, came with their King, Who in His most life-giving hand accepted the soul of His Mother; warm with faith, Peter, with many tears, spoke to Her, calling: Rejoice, to the worldly, Mother of the Creator of the world, ascending; Rejoice, to the most heavenly, most expansive of heaven, who soars. Rejoice, thou who sanctified the fourfold elements by Thy ascension; Rejoice, who made the heavenly ones gladdened by Your passing. Rejoice, you have been received into the beautiful Jerusalem above; Rejoice, thou who joyfully entered into temples not made by hands. Rejoice, Queen of Cherubim and Seraphim; Rejoice, Lady of the Archangels. Rejoice, refuge of the faithful and deliverance; Rejoice, for Your inheritance is help and protection. Rejoice, O Christian Intercessor for the whole world; Rejoice, all blessings to the All-Blessed Giver. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 3
The power of the Most High to snatch up Thomas from India, for some will of God I will not be accepted into the most honorable Dormition of the Mother of God, and present Her to the life-receiving tomb, who came to see the Reposed One, in her mind ascended to Heaven with her body and, having believed, cried out about this: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having in himself the thought that through God's vision he would not be able to accompany the Mother of God with the others, he was rejoiced at Her immortal Assumption, and cried out to Her: Rejoice, thou who was taken up from the earth by the hand of Thy Son; Rejoice, you who ascended to the highest to enjoy His glory. Rejoice, escorted from all the angelic ranks to the Mountain; Rejoice, lifted up by the Cherubim into the heavenly and under heavenly places. Rejoice, in the heavenly gates from the elder Powers, magnificently lifted up in songs; Rejoice, surrounded and blessed by all Heavenly citizens. Rejoice, earthly heaven, exalted to the mountain village; Rejoice, Throne of the Lord, lifted up from the earth into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, our intercession and strong intercession; Rejoice, sinner Helper for salvation. Rejoice, Christian Queen and according to God the Hope of the Heavenly Kingdom; Rejoice, Mother of the Belly, and through the Lord we have the hope of eternal life. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 4
Having a storm within, having Affonia of unfaithful thoughts and in vain, the God-bearing Apostles of the Mother of God, the Most Honorable Body carried to the grave, rushing towards refutation; suddenly, when his hand was taken away from his hanging bed with blinding eyes, he confessed by faith the Mother of God, crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Having heard the mysteries and self-witnesses of the Word of the Angels, singing in sublime hymns at the burial of the God-pleasant body of God to the Mother, and the honor of giving a tax pleasing to God, we strived according to the song, saying: Rejoice, thou who received the good news of Thy passage into the Heavenly Kingdom; Rejoice, you who received joyful paradise from Gabriel who preached the gospel. Rejoice, you who enlightened the most venerable multitude of cherubs; Rejoice, you who have rejoiced the glorious seraphim nature. Rejoice, foreshadowed from the patriarchs; Rejoice, foretold by the prophets. Rejoice, you who soon noted the evil insolence of Affoniev; Rejoice, you who gave healing to that one. Rejoice, thou who converted the unbelief of Athonius to faith; Rejoice, you who received the true confession. Rejoice, you who raise to Heaven the love and faith of those who have You; Rejoice, you who save by faith Your name calling. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 5
The God-rich stars, the holy Apostles, scattered in the heavens for the sake of the Gospel, were caught up in the clouds, in the breadth of the air, for the burial of the Mother of the Lord, who saw off with stumps and songs, with the Immaterial cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the God-seers of their Lord, receiving His soul in the hand of the Mother, and understanding the Lord, trying to sing sacred songs with blessings: Rejoice, Queen, who bore the Reign over all; Rejoice, even carried by the hand of His Son. Rejoice, royal sceptre in the right hand of Christ; Rejoice, in Noah’s hand there is a branch of a dove. Rejoice, rod of Aaron, who has grown incorruptible; Rejoice, unfading one, prosperous immortality. Rejoice, God-inspired Godfather of David; Rejoice, thou who has risen up the word of his prophecies, psalms and beautiful harp. Rejoice, animated holy shrine of the Lord; Rejoice, our resurrected belly into the rest of the Lord. Rejoice, tabernacle, overshadowed by the Cherubim; Rejoice, Holy of Holies, spoken by the Seraphim. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 6
The Preachers of the God-Bearing Apostles, after departing to the worldly Mother of God in the common village, having had the usual meal and offering part of the bread in the Name of the Lord, lifting up, suddenly from above the Mother of God Queen, who came with the luminous Angels, in vain and, having heard peace from the Son and God, cried out about this : Alleluia.
Ikos 6
The Sun of Truth has arisen to us, Christ God from Your most pure falsehood, by the will and prudence of preaching through the Apostles, enlighten the world and glorify You, Mother of God, from generation to generation. In the same way, we all please Thee, crying out to Thee: Rejoice, Ever-blessed One from all generations forever; Rejoice, thou who art most gracious and merciful to men. Rejoice, you who fulfilled your promise to the disciple’s face; Rejoice, having given peace to this through Your presence from Your Son and God. Rejoice, all-desiring sweet vision of the saints; Rejoice, O venerable mothers and virgin saints, all-enjoying joy. Rejoice, transitory paradise of the righteous; Rejoice, you who visit all beings in heavenly glory. Rejoice, beginning of human salvation; Rejoice, fulfillment of all good wishes. Rejoice, according to God, King of kings, Mother of God Queen; Rejoice, according to the Lord of lords, our Master, Lady and Lady. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 7
You always save those who want to enter Your holy temple with faith, O Mother of God, and free those who glorify You from all misfortunes and troubles; In the same way, grant to the faithful people, who ever bless You, victories against resistance and give us all petitions for salvation, for this they pray to You and sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new creation has shown itself to us, the Creator of all, the Lord, through You, the Mother of God. You have a kindred providence for us to Him, who honestly honor Your most honorable Dormition, accept those crying out to You: Rejoice, Mother of God, chosen from the earthly; Rejoice, you who are above earthly and heavenly things. Rejoice, thou who hast surpassed the grief of the Cherubim and Seraphim; Rejoice, the face of the disciples like a cloud for the burial of Ti dole. Rejoice, Thou who, after Thy burial, gave Thomas more by the power of God; Rejoice, through him you assured your transmigration into Heaven with the flesh. Rejoice, adorned with the beauty of all virtues; Rejoice, more red than the sons of men, you are numbered among your Sons. Rejoice, like a phoenix, blossoming through the risen flesh; Rejoice, like a cedar in heavenly Lebanon, multiplied. Rejoice, tree of life, planted in the midst of the highest paradise; Rejoice, thou art exalted in the ark of thought in the Highest from the mortal flood. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 8
It is strange in the highest leading You, Chosen, like the sun, the Lady, into the heavenly inconceivable beauties and indescribable kindnesses, touchingly towards the Son and God, I hold His hand, ascended and joyfully bowing to His life-giving right hand, about this we cry incessantly: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All the former grief was taken to the Heavenly Ones and, not leaving the earthly, the Mother of God, the hand of the Son is carried, into the never-ending, all-illuminating and beautiful city, Jerusalem on High, the Cherubim stand with all the Heavenly powers, where this one hears those singing: Rejoice, O Most Holy Soul dwells in the highest, all-bright Zion; Rejoice, Hey and incorruptible body there he is greatly glorified with his soul. Rejoice, thou who has entered into the throne city of Samago the Pantocrator; Rejoice, thou who art ascended into the beautiful paradise of the Most High Planter. Rejoice, brought into the city founded from the all-luminous stones; Rejoice, brought into the enclosure guarded by the forces of the highest. Rejoice, taken above Heaven into the splendor of God; Rejoice, venerable one above all immaterial minds. Rejoice, bringing the prayer of the faithful to Your Son and God; Rejoice, and You Yourself unceasingly praying for everyone at the Throne of Your Son and God. Rejoice, Representative to God, saving the world; Rejoice, Intercessor, given to the Christian race by God. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 9
Every angelic nature extols Thee, O Mother of God, but to humanity we all give birth to Thee, Mother of God, we glorify and honor Thy most venerable Dormition, Queen: For the sake of thee, for the sake of earthly things, the heavenly ones copulate, according to the singing of God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Now we see the prophetic utterances of God come true, O Mother of God, as you truly gave birth to God in the flesh. Believing in the sacrament of the word of God, we cry: Rejoice, thou who art chiefly perfect in the law and the prophets; Rejoice, star of Jacob, prophesied by Balaam. Rejoice, O bed of the Great King, prophesied by Solomon; Rejoice, fleece watered by Jesus, formed by Gideon. Rejoice, Burning Kupino, foreseen by the lawgiver; Rejoice, holy city, provided for by the husband of desire. Rejoice, heavenly ladder, foreseen by Jacob; Rejoice, impenetrable door, foreseen by Ezekiel. Rejoice, sun of the village of Christ, presented by the psalmist; Rejoice, sacrament, ordained by the diverse prophets. Rejoice, you who brought the end to all the prophetic words prophesied about You; Rejoice, thou who hast accomplished all the works of the Most High for the salvation of the world. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 10
To save the world, even though the Lord chose You from the earthly race to be His Mother and, for our sake, having become a man, ascended, from nowhere, to Heaven from the earth, and brought You with Himself to abide in eternal glory and co-reign with Himself, the end to those who do not have, Even so, like God, He hears from everyone: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Thou art the wall of the faithful, O Virgin Mother of God, and the intercession of all who come running to Thee, for the Creator of Heaven and earth, having passed from Thee in flesh, the Most Pure One, hast come to the Heavenly One in spirit and body, to the nearest intercession for all, and teach them to invite: Rejoice, city of the King Great at the top of the Heavenly Mountain; Rejoice, wall and cover, not hidden from our influx. Rejoice, thou who helpest the enemies of the faithful; Rejoice, conqueror of the Hagarian invasions. Rejoice, immovable preservation of pious faith; Rejoice, destruction of the heretical regiments. Rejoice, you who bring joy and peace to the world; Rejoice, thou who hast corrected the all-destroying hell. Rejoice, for those who wage war on the flesh through chastity have been crowned with a fair amount; Rejoice, all-honorable glorification of martyrdom. Rejoice, venerable intercessor of blessed repose through labor; Rejoice, monk who grieves the Giver of eternal joy. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 11
Singing all kinds of God-inspired songs does not suffice from us to praise the all-honorable Dormition of Thy, All-praiseworthy Lady, Queen Theotokos, but we earnestly offer to Thee, as the Mother of the King of all, our humble prayer, with the Heavenly rites singing to the only God worthily glorifying Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
The light-receiving light of the true Light has appeared to us on earth, enlightening the souls and instructing those who honor Your all-honorable repose to the Divine mind, so that we sing from Tisitsa: Rejoice, unquenchable light of the immaterial fire; Rejoice, never-setting dawn of the never-evening Light. Rejoice, moon, illuminated by the Sun of Truth; Rejoice, brightness, holy in darkness. Rejoice, lampstand, set on the candlestick above; Rejoice, source of life, brought forth from the grave into the light. Rejoice, Mother of the intelligent Light, enlightening the pious souls; Rejoice, Mother of all God, who comforts embittered souls. Rejoice, you who give a shameless end to those who trust in You; Rejoice, thou who establishest the heritage of God and His servant at the Judgment of Thy Son at His right hand. Rejoice, Most Blessed One, for through You we are also blessed, like Your Helper, the imams; Rejoice, Most Blessed One to all generations, for the Lord is with You, and with You with us.
Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 12
The grace of the high-throned glory, bestowed in heaven upon the Mother of God, venerable, sitting at the right hand of Her Son and God, seeing the minds above, raising up the Thrones and Powers, surrounding the Beginning and Power, falling in fear with the Cherubim, Seraphim and Dominion, with the Archangels and Angels crying out: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your all-honorable Dormition, we all praise Your ascension to the heights of heaven, O Queen of God. Thou sanctify, glorify and save all who sing to Thee with love: Rejoice, thou who hast cleansed the earth with Thy most pure feet; Rejoice, having sanctified the air with Your ascension to Heaven. Rejoice, you who have ascended to the Heavenly circle; Rejoice, beholder of all unspeakable kindness. Rejoice, thou who sittest in glory before the throne of Thy Son and God; Rejoice, forever reigning with the Son and God. Rejoice, beauty in the right hand of the Lord, adorning all the Heavenly Ones who bless You; Rejoice, overjoyed by the hope of all earthly people in You. Rejoice, clothed in the sun, shining with grace and glory throughout the entire universe; Rejoice, you who promised to preserve and save those who call upon You in all the heavens. Rejoice, revered Mother of God and called the Mother of God from Christian generations; Rejoice, gloriously and orthodoxly glorified by all the pious from the east of the sun to the west. Rejoice, O Joyful One, who does not leave us in Your Assumption.
Kontakion 13
O All-Sung Mother of the Immortal King of Heaven and earth, Christ our God, living and after death, having received this offering from us for Your all-honorable Dormition, in this life and in our mortal Dormition, deliver us from all misfortunes, troubles and torment and the Heavenly Kingdom, Queen , grant those who cry for You: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times,atem ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
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Also read on our website:
Earthly life of the Virgin Mary- Description of the life, Christmas, Dormition of the Mother of God.
Apparitions of the Virgin Mary- About the miraculous apparitions of the Mother of God.
- Collection of some Orthodox literature.Orthodoxy and occultism- Orthodoxy’s view of fortune-telling, extrasensory perception, the evil eye, corruption, yoga and similar “spiritual” practices.
Superstitions- Description of some superstitions.
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Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Feast of the Assumption (Kolmhoij) of Our Lady, known in the West as the Assumption of Mary, has two different aspects, which, however, are inextricably linked by the faith of the Church. This is, on the one hand, death and burial, on the other, the resurrection and ascension of the Mother of God. The Orthodox East managed to protect the mystery of this event, which, in contrast to the Resurrection of Christ, was not preached by the apostles. Indeed, here is a secret that cannot be expressed to the ears of “outsiders,” but which is revealed to the inner consciousness of the Church. For for those confirmed in the faith in the Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord, it is clear that if the Son of God took on human nature in the womb of the Ever-Virgin, then She, who served in the incarnation, must be received into the glory of Her resurrected and ascended Son to the heavenly abodes. Rise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and Thy Shrine Icon(Ps. 132:8). “The coffin and mortification” could not hold back the “Mother’s Belly” (kontakion of the holiday, tone 2), because Her Son “departed” ??????????) Her to the eternity of the next century.
The glorification of the Mother directly stems from the voluntary humiliation of the Son. The Son of God is incarnated in the Ever-Virgin Mary and becomes the Son of Man, who can die; Mary, having become the Mother of God, receives “divine glory” (????????? ????) (Vespers, stichera 2, tone 1) and is the first of humanity to participate in the complete deification of creation. “God became Man, so that Man could become God.” Thus, the significance of God’s incarnation is confirmed at the end of Mary’s earthly life. “Wisdom is justified in her children” (Matthew 11:19). The glory of the life of the future century, the ultimate goal of man, has already been realized not only in the divine and incarnate Hypostasis, but also in the human deified personality. This transition from death to life, from time to eternity, from an earthly state to heavenly bliss places the Mother of God beyond the general Resurrection and Last Judgment, beyond the Second Coming (papucla), which will end the history of the world. The holiday of August 15 is a new mysterious Easter, in which the Church celebrates, anticipating the end of times, the hidden fruit of the eschatological accomplishment. This explains the restraint of the liturgical texts, which in the service of the Assumption only partly point to the untold glory of the Ascension of the Mother of God.
The Feast of the Assumption is probably of Jerusalem origin. However, Etheria did not yet know him at the end of the 4th century. It can be assumed, however, that it did not hesitate to appear soon, since in the 6th century. it is already generally known: in the West, St. Gregory of Tours is the first witness of the Ascension of the Mother of God, which was first celebrated here in January. The date of August 15 is established under the Emperor of Mauritius (582–602).
The oldest known image of the Assumption of Our Lady is on a sarcophagus in the church of Santa Engracia in Zaragoza (early 4th century), one of the scenes of which very likely conveys this event; then we see it on a relief of the 6th century. in the Georgian basilica of Bolnis-Kapanakchi. This relief is contrasted with another, depicting the Ascension of Christ. Apocryphal story associated with the name of St. Meliton (II century), in fact no older than the beginning of the 5th century. This legend is full of legendary details about the death, resurrection and ascension of the Mother of God - unreliable information that the Church tried to exclude. So, for example, St. Modest of Jerusalem († 634) in his “Eulogy on the Dormition” is very restrained in details: he speaks of the presence of the apostles who “were brought from afar through heavenly revelation”, of the appearance of the Lord who came to receive the soul of His Mother and, finally, of the return The Mother of God to life, “in order to physically take part in the eternal incorruption of Him who brought Her out of the tomb for Him alone in a known way" Other words spoken by St. John of Thessalonica († c. 630 ), as well as St. Andrew of Crete, Herman of Constantinople and John of Damascus provide more details that are used both in the liturgy and in the iconography of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Dormition of the Mother of God. Icon. Russia. XV century Tretyakov Gallery
Dormition of the Mother of God. Detail of a sewn shroud. Moscow. 1640–1642 Moscow Kremlin Museums
The classic type of Dormition in Orthodox iconography usually represents the Mother of God on her deathbed. Around Her are the apostles, and in the middle is Christ in glory, receiving the soul of His Mother in his arms. However, sometimes icon painters also wanted to emphasize Her bodily ascension: in such cases, in the upper part of the icon, above the scene of the Assumption, the Mother of God sits on a throne, surrounded by a mandorla carried by angels to the heavenly spheres.
In our icon (Russia, 16th century) Christ stands in glory, surrounded by a mandorla, and looks at the body of the Mother lying on her deathbed. In his left hand the Lord holds a child’s figurine in white, crowned with a halo: this is the “all-bright soul” that He has just accepted. The twelve apostles, “sincerely in bed, with trembling” (Matins, stichera according to the 50th psalm, tone 6), are present at the death of the Mother of God. In the foreground, Peter and Paul are recognizable on both sides of the bed. Some icons depict at the top the miraculous arrival of the apostles, “from the four ends of the earth to the clouds.” The multitude of angels present sometimes forms the outer circle of Christ's mandorla. On our icon, the heavenly powers accompanying Christ are represented by one six-winged seraphim. Behind the apostles are four bishops with halos. This is St. James, “brother of God” (cf. Gal. 1:19), the first bishop of Jerusalem, and three disciples of the apostles: Timothy, Hierotheus and Dionysius the Areopagite, accompanying St. Apostle Paul. In the background, two female figures depict the believers of Jerusalem, who, together with the apostles and bishops, form the inner circle of the Church, in which the mystery of the Dormition of the Mother of God takes place.
Most icons of the Assumption also depict the episode of Athos: an angel cuts off the hands of this Jewish fanatic with a sword because he dared to touch the bed of the Most Holy Theotokos (see: Troparion of the 3rd canon of the first canon). This detail of an apocryphal nature, found both in the divine service and in the iconography of the holiday, should remind us that the end of the earthly life of the Mother of God is the innermost secret of the Church, which does not tolerate profanation. Invisible to outsiders, the glory of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin can only be contemplated in inner light Legends.
From the book Rituals of Money Magic author Zolotukhina Zoya“Dream of the Most Holy Theotokos” There are amulets against theft and loss, but not against stupid spending. Prayers and spells will help protect yourself from envy and the evil eye (money is very responsive to them). I advise everyone to rewrite the following prayer (carry it with you in your wallet, rereading it when
From the book Conspiracies Siberian healer. Issue 31 author Stepanova Natalya IvanovnaThe Dream of the Blessed Virgin Mary is read at a difficult moment in life. On Mount Gorenskaya, on the land of Pryazhenskaya, There Mother of God I was sleeping, I had a terrible dream, I shed tears in my sleep. She opened her eyes, saw Christ, told Christ about her truthful dream: - My Son, the Jews on the Cross
From the book Conspiracies of a Siberian healer. Issue 29 author Stepanova Natalya IvanovnaDream of the Most Holy Theotokos Mother, Mother Mary, Where did you live and live, Where did you while away the dark night? – She lived and lived in Jerusalem, and spent the night with Christ on the Throne. I had a wonderful and terrible dream: As if Jesus Christ was torn to pieces on the Cross, the Holy Blood of Jesus
From the book Conspiracies of a Siberian healer. Issue 30 author Stepanova Natalya IvanovnaThe Dream of the Most Holy Theotokos As I already said, there are seventy-seven “Dreams of the Most Holy Theotokos” in total. All of them are very strong and help against troubles, misfortunes and illnesses even during fasting. I continue to pass on these priceless creations to you. Use them with great respect and love, and for
From the book Conspiracies of a Siberian healer. Issue 33 author Stepanova Natalya IvanovnaAnother “Dream of the Most Holy Theotokos” In times of trouble, the dream is read up to forty times. Thou didst sleep and rest the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos in the holy city of Bethlehem in Jerusalem. And you saw a terrible and wonderful dream. And our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to Her, and spoke to Her: - Mother
From the book Conspiracies of a Siberian healer. Issue 34 author Stepanova Natalya IvanovnaAnother Dream of the Most Holy Theotokos In the heavenly sky, under the moon, in the holy side of God, Mother slept and rested And saw a wonderful and faithful dream, As if Her Son came to Her, approached her swan’s bed And asks: “My Mother, are you sleeping?” Are you thinking or dreaming? - I don’t sleep,
From the book Conspiracies of a Siberian healer. Issue 32 author Stepanova Natalya IvanovnaAnother Dream of the Most Holy Theotokos “My beloved Mother, where have you been, visited, where have you slept and spent the night?” – “In the city of Bethlehem, in the holy city, in God’s church, with the true Christ behind the Throne. I saw a dream about Christ, about His dear Son, as if He was betrayed for money,
From the book of 1777 new conspiracies of a Siberian healer author Stepanova Natalya IvanovnaDream of the Most Holy Theotokos The cross is the guardian of the entire Universe. The cross is church beauty. The cross is a power for churches. The cross is a true statement. Cross - glory to the angels. The Cross of Christ in three folds, The Dream of Thy servant (name) From the Trinity of Our Only Begotten Lord Jesus
From the book The Traditional Healer's Golden Manual. Book 2 author Stepanova Natalya IvanovnaAnother Dream of the Most Holy Theotokos In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Virgin Mary walked from the city of Jerusalem, She walked, got tired, fell asleep on the mountain. I saw a wondrous and terrible dream: Jesus Christ was on the crucifixion. They sold Him for small money, to His cypress cross
From book 365. Dreams, fortune telling, signs for every day author Olshevskaya Natalya From the book The Meaning of Icons author Lossky Vladimir Nikolaevich From the author's bookThe Dream of the Most Holy Theotokos All healers and masters should know the seventy-seven dreams of the Most Holy Theotokos. In my lifetime, I know of many cases when neither doctors nor people could do anything to help a dying person, and I reprimanded them from death with the Dreams of the Mother of God. This
From the author's bookAnother Dream of the Most Holy Theotokos Mother My beloved, Where have you been? - In the city of Bethlehem, in the holy fence, In God's Church, with the true Christ behind the Throne. I saw a dream about You, Jesus Christ, dear Son: As if the Jews took You to the high Cross
From the author's book273. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary April 7 – Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, large Orthodox holiday. On this day, it was customary to catch or buy birds from bird catchers and immediately release them into the wild: “The Annunciation is the release of birds.” To the Annunciation
From the author's bookNativity of the Most Holy Theotokos “Your Nativity, O Virgin Theotokos, is a joy to proclaim to the whole universe: from you has risen the Sun of Truth, Christ our God...” On the day of the Nativity of the Mother of God (September 8), the Church celebrates the most holy human birth, the “most pure fruit” of which
From the author's bookIntercession of the Most Holy Theotokos The Feast of the Intercession (October 1) was established in memory of the appearance of the Mother of God in Constantinople in the 10th century. In the East, this holiday is almost unknown. The Russian Church has always celebrated the Protection of the Mother of God with special solemnity. In Russia he
The image of the Mother of God has long been revered by Orthodox people after the icons of the Lord Jesus Christ. More than 700 variations of icons are dedicated to the Virgin Mary, but, as the legend about Her life says, there are as many images of the Mother of God as there are stars in the sky.
Among Her famous faces special place occupied by the icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God, the veneration of which is performed annually on August 28.
Description of the icon
In the middle of the icon is a deathbed on which lies the body of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is covered with a purple cloth, which is no coincidence. Scarlet has always been considered a symbol of the power of emperors, and therefore on the icon this color indicates the royal dignity of the Queen of Heaven. The purple sandals worn on Her feet also have their justification - only famous Byzantine emperors could wear such shoes.
The meaning of the scarlet color on the icon of the Assumption means that the power of the Mother of God is incomparably higher than that of the most powerful royal persons.
The bed of the Mother of God is surrounded by the apostles, among them John and Peter. Peter holds a censer in his hands and fumigates the Most Pure Body with incense. John mourns the Mother of God, bending over Her body.
Often the icon depicts Saint John of Damascus. It was he who sang the Queen of Heaven in his godly works.
About other icons revered in Orthodoxy:
A candle burns in front of the bed, but on other compositions, instead of it, there is an image of a pair of severed wrists, and near the bed stands a sinner with severed hands. He is Athonia, the one who in disbelief tried to overturn the bed, but was miraculously stopped by the sword of an angel.
By the way, the angel himself with a raised sword is often depicted standing near Athos.
Next to the bed stands the Savior Himself. He is surrounded by a huge halo, proclaiming His Divine Glory. In His arms lies a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. He is the soul of the Most Pure Virgin, whom Jesus will soon ascend to the Heavenly abodes. The angels surrounding the Creator rejoice as they meet the Queen of Heaven.
The Assumption event takes place in a room with many columns, arches and other architectural elements.
Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
History of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary
Tradition says that from the moment of the crucifixion of Her Son, Mary often came to Calvary and offered prayers to Heaven at the tomb of Jesus.
It happened that one day, while praying to the Mother of God, the Archangel Gabriel appeared and informed Her of his imminent death. The news for the grieving Mother was joyful and meant a quick meeting with her beloved Son. Therefore, the last days of her earthly life the Blessed Virgin lived in incessant prayer to the Lord, calling on all Orthodox Christians to follow her example.
Important. At the moment of the departure of the soul of the Most Pure Virgin, Jesus Christ Himself appeared at the Mother’s deathbed. He was surrounded by a host of heavenly angels and archangels.
The body of the Blessed Virgin was buried in the family tomb, next to her parents and husband. The burial ceremony itself was very solemn and was fenced off from outside world. And infidels who tried to prevent the burial of the body were severely punished.
Mary's tomb was tightly closed with a huge stone. Three days after the funeral, the Apostle Thomas visited Jerusalem. He was eager to say goodbye to the Mother of God and attend Her burial, but he was late. He begged the Christians in tears to open the grave so that last time contemplate the Most Pure One.
But when people moved the stone and entered the tomb, a miracle was revealed to them - there was no body in it, and in its place lay only Mary’s funeral robe. After all, the Lord Himself took the mother’s soul in his hands and together they ascended to Heaven.
On the same day, the apostles gathered at a common table to celebrate the resurrection and ascension of the Blessed Virgin. And then the Most Pure One Herself appeared to them and proclaimed: “I am with you!” To this day, the Mother of God is invisibly next to every believer, protecting him and fulfilling heartfelt requests.
On this day, festive services are held in churches, the clergy puts on blue vestments. The Feast of the Assumption is celebrated with special solemnity in Gethsemane, at the burial site of the Most Pure Virgin.
About other Mother of God holidays:
The sacred shroud of the Mother of God, surrounded by lighted candles, is kept in the monastery courtyard. Before it, from the beginning of the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, the service of prayers, akathists, liturgies and evening services begins.
At 2 o'clock in the morning before the day of the Assumption, the rector of the Gethsemane monastery performs Divine Liturgy, and at the end of it, a prayer service is read before the shroud. After this, she is solemnly transferred in a procession to Gethsemane.
This event is annually attended by members of the Russian clergy in Jerusalem. The procession is always accompanied by a huge number of pilgrims from all over the world. The procession arrives in Gethsemane at sunrise, and at stone cave where the Most Pure Body of the Mother of God previously lay, the shroud is laid.
On the morning of the day of the Assumption, the rite of burial of the Mother of God is performed. Bishops, monks, clergy and many Orthodox people travel through the narrow streets of the holy city to Gethsemane.
The funeral procession sings a prayer canon to the Mother of God. At the celebration of the holiday, the shroud returns in the same religious procession back to Jerusalem to its Gethsemane courtyard.
Great meaning of the image
Important. The Icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God symbolizes the truth that death is not the end of a person’s life, but a transition to the heavenly world.The death of the Mother of God is not the passing of an ordinary person. The soul and body of the Most Pure Virgin went to Heaven to the Savior, and not to the damp earth.
On the lower part of the image, it is indicated to humanity that the path to Salvation lies through sorrow, after which Eternity awaits each righteous person, where the Blessed Virgin Mary was the first of the people to ascend. Therefore, it is recommended to read the icon of the Assumption from bottom to top in order to correctly interpret what awaits a righteous Christian after physical death.
Holy help from Heaven
Praying before the image helps believers overcome the fear of death, because it describes a vivid example of what awaits each of us if we faithfully observe the rules of church life.
- The Mother of God prays before Her Son for every person, helping to recover from even the most severe illnesses;
- She guides lost souls on the true path, so that after death every person can find themselves in the Kingdom of Heaven;
- Mary helps to get rid of misfortunes, gives peace of mind, helps in business, and protects along the way.
In addition to praying in church, you can order a prayer service in front of the icon, having previously written notes with the names of those people for whom you need to pray.
The notes themselves should be submitted to the church shop before the start of the prayer service. Names should be written in Orthodox spelling and in genitive case, they must answer the question “who?”, for example: about the health of Mary, Demetrius, Julia, Sergius.
Important. The Church prays only for those baptized in Orthodox faith people, i.e. for those over whom the Sacrament of Baptism was performed.
The Mother of God is all-forgiving and is a Heavenly helper to all living things!
Prayer before the image of the Dormition must be done with understanding and sincere faith in the fulfillment of what is asked. The request must come from the very depths of the heart, just as a child calls for help from its mother. In this case, the Mother of God will not hesitate to provide help to Her lost child who is in trouble.
Watch the video about the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
