Assumption of Mary

Assumption of Mary or Dormition
of the Mother of God
The Dormition and the Assumption are different names for the same event, Mary's departure from the earth, although the beliefs are not entirely the same. The Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven or The Dormition of the Mother of God (Κοίμησις Θεοτόκου) was the bodily taking up of the Virgin into Heaven at the end of her earthly life.


It is celebrated on August 15 (August 28,  for those following the Julian Calendar) The belief in the bodily assumption of Mary into heaven is witnessed since 6th century.

With the celebration of this feast ends the liturgical year in the Eastern Churches.

The Feast of the Dormition is preceded by a two-week  fast, referred to as the Dormition Fast. From August 1 to August 14 Orthodox and Eastern Catholics fast from red meat, poultry, meat products, dairy products (eggs and milk products), fish, oil and wine. The Dormition Fast is a stricter fast than either the Nativity Fast(Advent) or the Apostles' Fast with only wine and oil (but no fish) allowed on weekends.

The canonical gospels of  Matthew and Luke describe Mary as a virgin ( παρθένος). Traditionally, Christians believe that she conceived her son miraculously by the agency of the Holy Spirit.


Interesting fact about Mary:

Why the twelve stars on holy Mary?
The image of twelve stars on Mary's head comes from Apocalypse (Revelations) Chapter 12:

The crowning with twelve stars, clothing with the sun, and the moon under her feet are a symbol to show Maria's crowning as Queen of Heaven.

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