August 2008
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This month we celebrate the Falling Asleep (Dormition) of Mary, the Mother of God. As Orthodox Christians, we call death a “falling asleep.” The only real death for those who are united to Christ is separation from God in sin.
We know very little about the life of the Mother of God. Scripture mentions Mary in connection with the birth of Christ, in his early childhood, in a passing way during his public ministry, and then again with the Apostles after Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection. While on the Cross, Christ committed his mother to the care of the Apostle John. We learn from tradition that Mary lived with John in Jerusalem near the tomb of the Lord, and that the Church was very comforted by her grace-filled presence. She shared with the Apostle Luke the account of her miraculous birth-giving, which was the source he used to write his Gospel. The earliest accounts of Mary’s Falling Asleep are provided by Melito of Sardis and Cyril of Jerusalem. Saint John of Damascus later incorporated their narrations into his homilies and services on the Dormition of Mary.
When the time had come for her to leave this life, Mary died as all people die. Born a child of Adam, she shared the nature of fallen humanity, whose common lot since the Fall is to die. However, the Feast of the Dormition
recalls the exceptional circumstances surrounding the human death of this exceptional woman. This story is related in the verses of the feast as well as through its festal icon. The icon of the Dormition is particularly compelling. It depicts Mary lying on her funeral bier. Behind her stands Christ in glory holding Mary’s soul in his arms like an infant, symbolizing Mary reborn into her glory. Surrounding her are the Apostles and faithful of the Church in Jerusalem. A man is sometimes depicted to represent Antonius who tried to interrupt the funeral procession and overturn Mary’s bier. He had his hands cut off by an angel, but he repented and was healed, and became a Christian.
As we continue the summer months and a slightly slower pace, let us take the time necessary prepare to celebrate the Feast of Mary’s Dormition by observing the fast in her honor and then let us honor the Mother of God with a graceful and joyous feast. Mary is worthy of our veneration because of her struggle and love for God and her special role in our redemption. Let us remember her often and bring our prayers to her, since she is able to intercede for us. May the icon of the Dormition be for us an image of joy and hope, since we too share in the promise of redemption given to us by Christ – that redemption which has already been experienced by Mary.
With love in the Lord,
Father David