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History
Dormition of the Mother of God
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The Dormition of the Mother of God is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. It celebrates the "falling asleep" (death) of Mary the Theotokos, and her being taken up into heaven. The Feast of the Dormition is observed on August 15, which for the churches using the Julian calendar corresponds to August 28 on the Gregorian calendar. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Dormition not on a fixed date, but on the Sunday nearest 15 August. In Western Churches the corresponding feast is known as the Assumption of Mary, with the exception of the Scottish Episcopal Church, which has traditionally celebrated the Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15.
Icon of the Dormition by El Greco, 16th century (Cathedral of the Dormition, Ermoupolis)
Icon of the Dormition by El Greco, 16th century (Cathedral of the Dormition, Ermoupolis)
The Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin by Elias Moskos circa 1679
The Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin by Elias Moskos circa 1679
The Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin by Fra Angelico circa 1434
The Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin by Fra Angelico circa 1434
Icon of the Dormition by Theophan the Greek, 1392. The Theotokos is depicted lying on a bier, surrounded by the Twelve Apostles. At center, Jesus Chri
Icon of the Dormition by Theophan the Greek, 1392. The Theotokos is depicted lying on a bier, surrounded by the Twelve Apostles. At center, Jesus Christ is shown in a mandorla, swaddling the soul of the Virgin Mary (a red seraph is shown above his head). To either side of him are depicted the Hieromartyrs Dionysius the Areopagite and Ignatius the God-Bearer who, according to tradition, are responsible for transmitting the account of the dormition.
Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church
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In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the feast of the death and Resurrection of Jesus, called Pascha (Easter), is the greatest of all holy days and as such it is called the "feast of feasts". Immediately below it in importance, there is a group of Twelve Great Feasts. Together with Pascha, these are the most significant dates on the Orthodox liturgical calendar. Eight of the great feasts are in honor of Jesus Christ, while the other four are dedicated to the Virgin Mary — the Theotokos.
Wing from a Byzantine micromosaic diptych of the 12 Great Feasts, c. 1310. From top left: Annunciation, Nativity, Presentation, Baptism, Transfigurati
Wing from a Byzantine micromosaic diptych of the 12 Great Feasts, c. 1310. From top left: Annunciation, Nativity, Presentation, Baptism, Transfiguration, Raising of Lazarus.
Wing from a Byzantine micromosaic diptych of the 12 Great Feasts, c. 1310. From top left: Entry into Jerusalem, Crucifixion of Jesus, Harrowing of Hel
Wing from a Byzantine micromosaic diptych of the 12 Great Feasts, c. 1310. From top left: Entry into Jerusalem, Crucifixion of Jesus, Harrowing of Hell, Ascension of Christ, Pentecost, Dormition of the Theotokos.