Dormition of the Theotokos

Feast Day Celebrated August 15th

Every year, our parish Women’s Group hosts a Dormition Tea. The ladies offer a beautiful spread of Lenten tea sandwiches and desserts and of course some yummy tea in beautiful tea cups! This year, due to the birth of my son, I was unable to attend. I was sharing the details about the tea with my girls and they came up with the brilliant idea to host our own Dormition Tea, right here in our home!

Now this can be either done during the Dormition fast, in which case the food with need to be Lenten, or you can celebrate it on (or after) the feast - which is celebrated August 15th.

What is the Dormition?

The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is one of the oldest Marian feasts in the church. It is the falling asleep, resurrection and translation into life of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary). We celebrate this feast of August 15th every year.

The Narrative of the Feast

The main source of the narrative of the feast of the Dormition is based on the oral and written Tradition of the church, which include: the writings of Saints Dionysios the Areopagite, John the Damascene and Andrew of Crete; the hymnography and iconography of the Church, in addition to an apocryphal narrative of the feast by Saint John the Theologian.

According to the Orthodox Tradition, the Virgin Mary lived after Pentecost in the house of the Apostle John in Jerusalem. As the Mother of the Lord, she became the source of encouragement and help for the Apostles and all Christians.

Three days before her death, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and revealed to her the date of her departure into eternal life. Immediately, the Theotokos returned to her home and prepared herself for this event through fasting and prayer.

On the day of her repose, even though the apostles were scattered throughout the world, they were miraculously transported to be at her side. Exceptionally, the Apostle Thomas did not arrive on time to bid his final farewell to the Theotokos.

While the Apostles were singing hymns in honor of the Mother of God, they saw a vision showing Christ, accompanied by Angels and Saints, coming to escort the soul of His Most Holy Mother into heaven. With songs of praises, the Apostles carried the body of the most pure Theotokos to the grave in Gethsemane to be buried near her parents.

At Gethsemane, the disciples gathered and remained around her tomb and kept a vigil for three days. On the Third day, the Apostle Thomas arrived and asked to view for the last time the Most Holy Mother of God. When the Apostles opened the grave of the Theotokos, her body was not there. The Apostles realized then that she was taken into heaven in the body to be reunited with her soul. Source: Antiochian.org

Tea Time

Here’s an idea for you to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theokotos. Consider hosting a Dormition tea in honor of the Theokotos! This can be done before or after the feast - so you’ll need to adjust the menu depending on if it’s fasting or not.

Here are some tea time tips:

• Decorate using something blue on your tablescape - Blue is the Liturgical color for any feast of the Theotokos. We used a blue table runner and some blue hydrangeas we picked up from our local grocery store.

• Display an icon of the Dormition, or if you’re like me and don’t have one yet, display an icon of the Theotokos!

• Bring out your nice dishes and tableclothes and have your children help set the table

• Serve tea sandwiches, special cakes, tea!

• Listen to a recording of the Paraklesis to set the mood.

• Read the story of the Dormition (above) and discuss it with your family!

• Consider inviting friends to join you to celebrate the feast!

Here’s a glimpse into our Dormition Tea (Video):

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