"Your Assumption, Virgin Mary,
We celebrate in songs, words, psalms,
In Your Assumption, our hope,
You showed us the way to heaven"
The Feast of the Assumption (death and ascension) of the Mother of God has a long history. At first, its celebration was local, in particular in Constantinople, where the Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century founded the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin. The Church recognized this holiday on a wide scale later, when it became popular throughout the Christian world.
Festive period
Two weeks before the Assumption, from August 1 to 14, is a period of fasting. The Fast before the Assumption is shorter than the Great Fast before Easter, but it is important for spiritual preparation, it helps the faithful to prepare for the celebration through spiritual purification and repentance.
Iconography
Icons of the Assumption of the Virgin traditionally depict the Virgin lying on her deathbed. Apostles and saints surround her, and the soul of the Mother of God in the form of a baby rises to heaven, which symbolizes her ascension. This image is a symbol of the fusion of the earthly and the heavenly, and often shows angels supporting the soul of the Mother of God.
Religious meaning
The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin underlines the importance of the Virgin as the protector of mankind and her holiness. This holiday symbolizes the transition of the Mother of God from earthly life to the heavenly kingdom. The faithful see this as an example of devotion and faith, as well as hope for salvation and eternal life, which opens the way to God.
Transfers
According to traditional legends, when the Mother of God was nearing the end of her life, she received a divine revelation about her ascension. This apparition became the basis of the celebration of the Assumption, and liturgical texts often mention her peaceful departure.
The importance of the holiday
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the biggest holidays in the church calendar and symbolizes the victory of the spiritual over the material. This holiday is important for believers as a confirmation of the divine truth about life after death and the possibility of eternal salvation.
