Not many people may realize this, but today’s celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin is the third greatest celebration in Greece (and the Greek Orthodox tradition), after Easter and Christmas. Although nominally a religious holiday, it is celebrated in the same manner as Easter, with family gatherings, public festivals, and loads of lamb eating. Many go to the beach for a quick swim first, as August is usually the hottest month. Since no one works, it’s perfect for relaxing, and most people will be on vacation this week.
It seems unlikely that people will celebrate so much the death of one of Christianity’s most revered figures. According to Eastern Orthodox and Catholic tradition, however, even though the Virgin Mary died a natural death (called the Dormition of the Theotokos, the falling asleep), like any human being, her soul was received by Christ upon death and her body was resurrected on the third day after her repose. At that time, she was taken up, soul and body, into heaven in anticipation of the general resurrection. Her tomb, according to this teaching, was found empty on the third day.
As John Damascene (c. 650─c. 750), one of the greatest Orthodox theologians, explained:
It was necessary that the body of the one who preserved her virginity intact in giving birth should also be kept incorrupt after death.
Traditions Surrounding the Dormition of the Virgin
The tomb of Virgin Mary in Jerusalem. Photo: Deror Avi
Most of the traditions surrounding Virgin Mary’s death come from the Gospel of James, an apocryphal (ie not recognized by the Church as theological, but largely accepted for its presentation of early Christian beliefs) Gospel probably written about AD 145. Also known as the Infancy Gospel of James, it presents a narrative concerning the birth, upbringing, and death of Mary herself. Another influential source is the Account of St. John the Theologian of the Dormition of the Mother of God, a Greek text that some date to the 5th century.
According to these traditions, upon the Virgin Mary’s Dormition, clouds of light assembled the twelve Apostles were miraculously from their far-flung missionary activity to be present at the death. This is the scene normally depicted, with the apostles gathered round the bed. There was one exception, that of St. Thomas, who was late and met with her as she was ascending to Heaven. In order to help him prove their meeting, she handed him her cincture (belt). When he met up with the rest of the Apostles, they all hurried to her tomb, only to find it empty.
The tomb of Virgin Mary is located in the Kidron Valley – at the foot of Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem. As for the cincture, it was sent in 452 to Constantinople (modern Istanbul), where it was kept in the Church of Our Lady of Blachernae.
You may have noticed at the bottom of the icon the strange image of an angel and a man whose hands are severed from his arms. This concerns the blasphemous act of an unbeliever called Iephonias who rushed into the room and tried to push Virgin Mary’s dying body to the ground, whereupon an angel promptly cut off his hands. Iephonias then begged for forgiveness and his hands were just as miraculously reattached.
There are generally two versions of the Dormition icon. The first shows the Apostles arriving on clouds as well as the scene of the angel cutting off the hands of Athonias. The second simplifies the type by omitting those elements.
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As a Catholic, I am ashamed to say, I was unaware of the stories surrounding the Blessed Mother’s death. Thank you for sharing them.
Thank you, Kelly 🙂
Hi Nicolas,
I agree a great post. I was raised Roman Catholic and even though the Virgin Mary is central in our faith, I don’t ever remember anything about the Dormition. However, we were taught she ascended into heaven as did Christ. What I have always thought was amazing, and you mentioned it, that the Gospel were written years after the Disciples had died. However, each had their own way of telling the same story and it does not vary. Thanks for sharing a beautiful and meaningful post.
Well, truth be told, no one really knows when the Gospels were written.John’s is my favorite, as it feels to me it was, indeed, written by an eye witness.
I’d forgotten about the dormition, so thanks for the reminder. I was lucky enough to visit the tomb of Mary when I was in Israel.
Wow, I hope to visit myself some day.
This is what I love about your posts Nicholas: they’re always guaranteed to help me learn something new 🙂
Aw, you! Thank you 😀
Fascinating, Nicholas. Enjoy the holiday 🙂
Thank you, D! It was fine, except the wee one was particularly cantankerous and had to go on a couple of time-outs. Except for her tantrums, all was well 🙂
😀
Very Interesting, Nicholas! Thanks for sharing. 😉
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Felicia! Thank you 🙂
Why is this so little known? Fascinating.
Well, Protestants don’t share the Orthodox veneration of the Virgin Mary (even though Luther himself did), accusing us of Marianism tendencies (Marianism was a sect that worshiped the Virgin Mary along with her Son).
Lephonias was a lucky man indeed!
Thanks for bringing us this slice of your country’s religious history, Nicholas.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much, Pete! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Never heard of this. Kind of surprised this country doesn’t make a big deal of this holiday.
Maybe it’s an Orthodox Christian thing more than a Catholic one. And it’s definitely not a Protestant one.
Could be. Though there is a Greek Orthodox Church around the corner. They hold a great festival every year.
Food is usually good around Greeks 😉
They do seem to run all of the diners around here.
When you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Only the French and the Italians are fussier about their food.
I don’t know. Jews are high up there with kosher thing.
I hear great things about NY delis 🙂
They are legendary