The Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos
Categories: feast-days
Date: 15 August 2008 00:40:47
Today [New Calendar; August(*) 15] is the Great Feast of the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos, one of the Orthodox Church's Twelve Great Feasts.
Troparion (Tone 1):
In giving birth you preserved your virginity,
In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos.
You were translated to life, O Mother of Life,
And by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.
Kontakion (Tone 2):
Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos,
Who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions.
For being the Mother of Life,
She was translated to life by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb.
Epistle Reading: St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 2:5-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
This Gospel is read on all Feasts of the Theotokos: Jesus' words "blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" recall to mind Mary, the Mother of God, and her example to us as someone who heard the word of God and kept it.
Father Stephen has a most illuminating post on this Feast, which I recommend to you.
A blessed Feast Day to all!
[(*) edit: thank you Mimi for reminding me it is actually August, not November. :help: ]