Dormition of the Theotokos

Quick Facts

AKA Name	Dormition of the Mother of God, Assumption of Mary
ℹ HashtagsCompiled on09:58	#Dormition
Related Hashtags	#Theotokos, #Greece, #Assumption, #DormitionOfTheTheotokos
2023 Date	15 August 2023
2024 Date	15 August 2024

2023 Holidays & Dates

		EU Country Common Holidays
		EU Country National Holidays
		Christian Holidays
		Jewish Holidays

Dormition of the Theotokos (CYP / ROU) in 2023

Tuesday, 15 Aug

Days to go:

The Dormition of the Theotokos commemorates the death, resurrection, and assumption of Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. The event holds great significance in Eastern Orthodoxy, where Mary is considered the Theotokos, or God-bearer, due to her role in giving birth to Jesus. It also highlights the belief in her bodily assumption into heaven, thus prefiguring the general resurrection at the end of time. The observance emphasizes the importance of Mary's intercession and her role as a model of holiness for all Christians.

The origins of the Dormition can be traced back to the early Christian communities in Jerusalem, where it is believed to have been celebrated since the 5th century. The feast holds cultural and religious importance, especially in countries with prominent Orthodox Christian populations, such as Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. The celebration of the Dormition contributes to the rich cultural heritage of Europe and highlights the diversity of religious beliefs and practices within the continent.

Common elements of celebration include religious services, prayers, and hymns dedicated to Mary, as well as processions bearing her holy icon. Traditional gatherings and festive meals might also take place in certain regions. The feast is generally celebrated on August 15 in the Julian calendar used by Orthodox Churches.

Top facts about Dormition of the Theotokos

The Armenian Apostolic Church refers to this holiday as Feasts of Mary and celebrates it on the nearest Sunday to August 15.
It is the customary of some churches to bless flowers on the feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos.
There are no biblical or historical sources to support the feast. The tradition of the church simply maintains that Mary died by the necessity of her mortal human nature.
The earliest known celebration of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos is between the first and fourth century, though there is no surviving documentation to prove this. The first real evidence that the feast was observed was in Jerusalem after the Council of Ephesus, which took place in the year 431.
Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.– Saint Maximilian Kolbe