When is the Dormition of the Virgin Mary?
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary is a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus, celebrated annually on August 15th ("Dekapentavgousto" in Greek).
This feast day is one of the most important days in the calendar of the Orthodox Christian Church - it is even called the 'Summer Easter'.
Also known as the 'Feast of the Assumption', it is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary (who is called "the Panagia" in Greek), the mother of Jesus Christ.
History of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary
This feast commemorates two events - the departure of Mary from this life and the assumption of her body into heaven.
The Church's official doctrine of the Assumption says that at the end of her life on earth Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven.
Some mistakenly believe Mary "ascended" into heaven, which is incorrect according to the Bible. It was Jesus Christ who ascended into heaven, by his own power. But Mary was assumed or taken up into heaven by God.
Pope Pius Xll, in 1950, defined that Mary "after the completion of her earthly life...was assumed body and soul into the glory of Heaven." Her body wasn't allowed to corrupt nor was it allowed to remain in a tomb. Though there are claims by some cities about possessing her temporary tomb.
The importance of Mary to the Greeks is demonstrated by the wide number of local customs that are celebrated across Greece.
