"In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions."

Holy Tradition teaches us that when Jesus decided it was time to bring home His immaculate mother to the Kingdom, He sent an angel to her with the news that in three days she would be with Him and that it was time to make preparations. Immediately, she gathered those dear to her, including the Apostles, and shared the blessed news; after consoling them and kissing away their tears, they all joined together to make funeral preparations. When the third day came, she raised her hands to Heaven, prayed for peace in the world, and then blessed the Apostles before giving up her spirit into the hands of Her Son and God. She was buried with great honor and piety in Gethsemane. However, on the third day after the burial, the Apostles were gathered and in the process of lifting up the holy bread (artos) in Jesus’ name, when the Theotokos appeared to them saying, "Rejoice.” From this sublime moment, they understood that it was pleasing to God that her body should be translated to the Heavens at that time. It makes sense that our Mother and greatest saint, because of the powerful role she has played in our salvation, would be brought to her Lord intact—body and soul—without enduring the grave and before the Second Coming. As we approach our parish’s great feast on August 15th, may we be truly moved by her obedience to the will of God and her boundless love and prayers for all humanity!

Looking to connect Orthodox education to Orthodox action? Teach your children about the Dormition and how throughout her life, the Theotokos was always so obedient to God’s will; also, attend the special services during the first 15 days of August at Holy Mother of God or your own parish. As a family, brainstorm with your children how you can practice obedience, just like her. Each member of the family can pick one challenge in honor of the Dormition—making peace with someone because we know that it is God’s will, cleaning up when Mom and Dad say to, etc.—and then compare results at a fun family meeting (don’t be afraid to discuss serious things over pizza, ice-cream and the like). Be creative … be daring … and teach your children well!