The Dormition of the Mother of God
The Dormition of the Mother of God, also known as the Assumption of Mary.
The Dormition of the Mother of God, also known as the Assumption of Mary, is a significant event in Christian tradition. According to Catholic and Eastern Orthodox beliefs, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken up to heaven, both body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. However, the exact date of this event is not known with certainty.
In the Catholic Church, the Assumption of Mary is celebrated on August 15th each year. This date was formally established as a dogma of the Catholic faith by Pope Pius XII in 1950 with the Apostolic Constitution “Munificentissimus Deus.” The declaration did not specify the exact date of the Assumption but confirmed the belief in Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Dormition of the Theotokos (Mother of God) is celebrated on August 15th as well. It is considered one of the twelve major feasts of the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar.
The establishment of the feast on August 15th is based on Christian tradition and devotion.
Twelve major feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates a liturgical calendar filled with feasts and commemorations throughout the year. Among these celebrations, there are twelve major feasts, often referred to as the “Twelve Great Feasts” or “Twelve Great Festivals.” These feasts hold special significance in Orthodox Christianity and commemorate key events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, as well as significant moments in the history of the Christian Church.
Here’s a brief overview of these twelve major feasts:
- Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8): This feast commemorates the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14): Also known as the Elevation of the Cross, this feast commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine.
- Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple (November 21): This feast celebrates the presentation of the young Mary in the Temple in Jerusalem.
- Nativity of Christ (December 25): Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
- Theophany (January 6): Also known as Epiphany, this feast commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River and the revelation of the Holy Trinity.
- Presentation of Christ in the Temple (February 2): Also known as Candlemas, this feast marks the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple 40 days after his birth.
- Annunciation (March 25): This feast celebrates the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus.
- Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday): The Sunday before Easter commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
- Pascha (Easter): The most important feast in the Orthodox calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
- Ascension of Christ (40 days after Pascha): This feast commemorates Jesus’ ascension into heaven.
- Pentecost (50 days after Pascha): Also known as the Feast of Holy Spirit, it marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
- Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15): Also known as the Assumption of Mary, this feast commemorates the death, burial, and assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
These Twelve Great Feasts are central to the liturgical calendar of the Eastern Orthodox Church and are celebrated with special services and traditions. They play a vital role in conveying the Christian faith and commemorating the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The exact age of the Virgin Mary at the time of her Dormition (Assumption)
The exact age of the Virgin Mary at the time of her Dormition (Assumption) is not specified in Christian scripture, and there is no consensus on her age within Christian tradition. The Dormition is a theological belief in the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches that Mary was taken up to heaven, both body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. While there are various traditions and legends that suggest a range of ages for Mary at the time of her Dormition, none of these are considered authoritative or definitive.
Some traditions and writings outside of the canonical Christian scriptures suggest that Mary may have been in her early 50s or 60s at the time of her Dormition, while others propose different ages. However, it’s important to emphasize that these age estimates are not based on historical or scriptural evidence but rather on later theological and devotional writings.
The Dormition of Mary is a matter of faith and religious devotion rather than historical fact, and as such, the focus is on the belief in her bodily assumption into heaven rather than specific details about her age at the time of the event.
