THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS (AUG 15TH)

A 12th Century Western Icon of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin from a French Latin Manuscript 

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

The Dormition of the Theotokos, celebrated by the Western Orthodox Tradition, honors the moment when the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, fell asleep in the Lord and was taken into heavenly glory by her resurrected and glorified Son. This feast, deeply rooted in ancient Christian tradition, emphasizes St. Mary's role as the first Christian and the Queen of all Saints. However, it also firmly places the focus on Christ as the sole Redeemer and Savior of humanity.

Holy Scripture records that while our Lord was on the Cross, He entrusted His mother to His beloved disciple, saying, "Woman, behold your son!" and to John, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:25-27). From that moment, the Apostle John took the Theotokos into his home, where she continued to live in faith and service. The Acts of the Apostles (1:14) confirms that St. Mary was with the Apostles at Pentecost, and tradition holds that she remained in Jerusalem under John's care, contributing to the early Christian community through her words and deeds.

At the time of her Dormition, the Apostles, who were scattered across the world, miraculously gathered in Jerusalem to be with her, except for Thomas. According to tradition, Jesus Christ Himself descended to receive her soul into heaven. Her body was laid in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane, but when St. Thomas arrived three days later and wished to see her, the tomb was found empty. An angel confirmed her bodily assumption, and she later appeared to the Apostles in a vision, which was the first of many times when the Church claims to see her in history. 

While the Western Orthodox Church celebrates the Dormition, it is distinct from the Roman Catholic understanding of the Assumption of Mary. In Western Orthodoxy, this feast does not detract from the centrality of Christ's salvific work or inappropriately focus on the Blessed Virgin as the “Co-Redemptrix.” In this historically accurate and orthodox doctrinal balance, St. Mary is honored as the foremost among the saints and as the first to fully receive the fruits of her Son's resurrection, yet Christ remains the only Redeemer and the Savior of the world. The feast of the Dormition underscores that while St. Mary was granted a special place in heaven, it is through Christ alone that all of humanity is offered salvation from our sins and new life by the power of the Holy Spirit! 

A 10th Century Western Roman Ivory Icon of the Dormition in Byzantine Style, Held in the Walters Art Museum Collection 

Early 18th Century Russian Icon, Held in the Swiss Auction Collection

A Contemporary American Icon of the Dormition

This theological nuance is reflected in our prayers and our ancient liturgy. We ask God to grant us, who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, a share in the glory of His eternal kingdom, alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is our Mother and great example of faith and love. In our love for the Blessed Virgin, we remain ever mindful that it is Christ who is our Savior, and it is through Him that we receive grace and eternal life, even while we love, honor, respect and are grateful for the life of His holy Mother! 

COLLECT

O Almighty God, who hast taken to Thyself the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Thine Incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by His most precious Blood, may with her inherit the glory of Thine eternal Kingdom, and be held at her most precious and holy intercessions: through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.