August 15 marks the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: traditions of the holiday
On August 15 according to the New Julian calendar, Christians celebrate one of the 12 greatest church holidays—the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God. According to the Julian calendar, the holiday falls on August 28.
Among the people, this day is also called the First Purification. The word “Dormition” derives from the church tradition of referring to the Virgin Mary’s death specifically as a “dormition”—a peaceful departure from earthly life and a transition to heavenly life.
According to church tradition, at the end of her earthly life, the Virgin Mary was in Jerusalem. The apostles miraculously gathered around her to accompany the Mother of God on her final journey. After her death, the apostles buried Mary in the Garden of Gethsemane.
What Is Known About the Feast
The Dormition of the Mother of God is considered the conclusion of her earthly life. Christian tradition recounts that after the burial, the Apostle Thomas arrived in Jerusalem late and asked that the tomb be opened so he could say goodbye to Mary. However, the body of the Mother of God was no longer there.
That is why the feast symbolizes not only death, but above all the transition to eternal life and the victory over death.
In the Orthodox tradition, the Dormition is one of the twelve greatest feasts of the liturgical year.
Traditions of the Dormition
On this day, believers attend church services, pray, and give thanks to the Mother of God for her intercession. Churches hold festive liturgies and bless the fruits of the new harvest brought by the people.
In folk tradition, the First Holy Day is also associated with the end of the harvest and the beginning of autumn. It was believed that after the Dormition, the weather gradually changes and autumn approaches.
What to Avoid
The Church does not establish a specific list of everyday prohibitions for the Assumption. At the same time, believers are encouraged to spend this day in prayer, peace, and without quarrels, to devote attention to their families, and to help those in need.
The Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God is a feast of hope that reminds Christians of the victory of life over death and of faith in eternal life.
