Orthodox Assumption Lent food table. Additional burden and extra costs? What date does Dormition Fast begin and end?

The Assumption Fast is the culmination of summer, two weeks of spiritual and physical preparation for one of the most beloved holidays among the people - the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It is known that the Virgin Mary observed strict moderation in food throughout her earthly life, and during the three days of her Assumption she stopped eating food and only drank water. Thus, by imposing the restrictions of the Dormition Fast, we imitate the Theotokos Herself.

When does Dormition Fast begin in 2016?

All multi-day Orthodox fasts have both common features and their own characteristics. Assumption fasting is comparable in severity to Great Lent. Just like Petrov Lent, it falls in the summer. And the similarity with the Advent is that its beginning and end have fixed calendar dates.

Therefore, to the question: “When does the Dormition Fast begin in 2016?” the answer is easy - August 1 (14), that is, the same as in all previous years.

There are two holidays during the Assumption Fast, known primarily by their “folk” names, but also having ecclesiastical significance Honey Savior (in the church calendar - Origin (wearing) of the Honest Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord) and Apple Spas (Transfiguration of the Lord). The first one is related to an ancient custom to bring the Holy Tree of the Cross to the streets and roads to ward off illnesses, which happened a lot in August. According to folk tradition, on this day, honey is brought to churches for consecration. This day is celebrated on August 1 (14), that is, from the holiday Origin of the Holy Trees of the Cross of the Lord and the Dormition Fast begins.

On the Apple Savior, a new crop of apples is traditionally consecrated, but for the Church this day is important as a big holiday, one of the Twelve - Transfiguration. It was installed in memory of the event on Mount Tabor, where the Savior, together with the three closest disciples Peter, Jacob and Jon, went to pray. And there, praying, He, according to the words of the Evangelist Matthew, He "transformed before them, and His face shone like the sun, His clothes became white as light." At the same time, the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Him. The Feast of the Transfiguration precedes one day of pre-feast - August 5 (18), and it will be followed by seven days of after-feast - from August 7 (20) to 13 (26). In honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, as one of the great holidays, eating fish is allowed at the meal.

The peculiarity of the Assumption Lent in 2016 is that it begins on Sunday, which gives it additional solemnity and makes it possible to smoothly switch to a fasting diet.

What can you eat in Assumption Fast?

Assumption Lent meals exclude meat and meat products, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy products. Relaxation is allowed on the feast of the Transfiguration, when you can eat fish. But in many ways, the question of what can and cannot be eaten during the Dormition Fast should be decided individually - depending on the state of health, age, and preparedness of a particular person. Separately, it is worth considering the lean diet of children - for them, refusing food containing calcium and other substances important for a growing body can lead to undesirable health consequences. All these questions are best discussed with your confessor.

Thanks to the abundance of vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, garden greens that August gives us, the food of the Assumption Lent is varied, nutritious and rich in vitamins. It is not for nothing that the Dormition fast has long been called a gourmet among the people.

Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that in the matter of abstinence from one or another food, the Orthodox are guided by the monastic charter, and this is not possible for everyone. Fasting is by no means a diet, and if fasting to the fullest extent (for example, on days of dry eating) irritates others, then it is obvious that such an “assault on Heaven” achieves the opposite goal.

Here it is appropriate to recall the admonition of John Chrysostom: “The one who thinks that fasting is only abstaining from food is mistaken. True fasting is the removal from evil, the curbing of the tongue, the postponement of anger, the taming of lusts, the cessation of slander, lies, perjury..

It is much easier to endure the restrictions of fasting if you observe moderation the day before, without arranging a plentiful meal “finally”.

When does the Dormition Fast end in 2016?

Holiday Dormition August 15 (28) is always celebrated - it ends the Assumption Fast. It is one of the fixed dates of the church calendar, not tied to the Easter holiday. Therefore, the end date of the Dormition Fast does not change in different years.

Dormition in 2016 falls on Sunday, there is no fast on this day.

Dormition Fast, unlike Great Lent, comes at the same time. And just as Great Lent precedes the great feast of the Resurrection of Christ, so the Dormition Fast precedes the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

When does it start, when does it end and how long does the Dormition Fast 2016 last

The Dormition fast begins on August 14, 2016 and ends on August 27, 2016. This fast is established before the great feasts of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Dormition of the Mother of God. The Dormition Fast lasts exactly two weeks. This is the shortest multi-day post throughout the year. o In its severity, the Dormition Fast is equated with the Passion Week of Great Lent. But despite this, it is considered among the Orthodox and the easiest: both short and sweet. The easiest - because the Mother of God takes care that the yoke of Christ is easy for us. And takes care of our body as well as the soul. The sweetest because this Lent begins with the consecration of honey, and then the consecration of fruits: so that through the sweetness that the Lord gives for the body, we taste and see how good the Lord is.

On August 14, on the first day of the Dormition Fast, the Cross of Christ will be worn out for veneration. As once in the Old Testament, according to the word of the Lord, a tree descended into the bitter waters of Merra, and they became sweet, so the bitterness of our life - from the touch of the Cross of Christ - may it change into sweetness. August 14 - the day of the Baptism of Russia. And baptism - this is such an immersion in the water of the cross - the grace of Christ, when the mystery of the Cross is revealed. And whoever recognizes it, he is ready to offer everything to the Lord - both his life and his death, in order to always be with Him. Therefore, the Holy Martyrs (on the Icons - they are always with the Cross in their hand) go ahead of everyone in the host of Saints. Our Russian Church, like no other, has become famous for the exploits of martyrdom. And there has always been a special reverence for the Mother of God, Her holy Dormition, to which many Monasteries have been dedicated since ancient times. In the Assumption of the Mother of God, as in the Pascha of the Lord, death - what is considered the greatest sorrow - becomes the greatest joy.

There is a pious custom to read the Akathist to the Dormition every day during the Dormition Fast or to perform the Paraklisis - the prayer singing of the Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos “I passed through the water, like dry land ...”. During Dormition Fast, we thank God that we have approached the end of summer, and we ask Him. to vouchsafe us to spend autumn in peace and serenity. The Mother of God in Dormition was preserved from the destruction of her body and ascended with her resurrected body into the Kingdom of God. So we, on the Feast of the Assumption, tea the resurrection of the dead and our eternal stay next to the Mother of God where the Risen Christ is.

What can you eat in the Dormition Fast

According to the church charter, people adhering to the Assumption fast must follow the following food restrictions:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday during the Dormition Fast - dry food. On days of dry eating, you can eat the following foods: dry unleavened bread (crackers), raw vegetables, fruits and dried fruits, honey, nuts, water, salt is allowed from spices.
• Tuesday and Thursday during the fast - hot food without oil. These days you can eat dishes cooked on fire and without the use of vegetable oil. These dishes include vegetable and mushroom soups, tea, coffee, compotes, decoctions.
• Saturday and Sunday during Dormition Fast- Eating vegetable oil and wine is allowed.
• August 19, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, it is allowed to eat fish and seafood.

If the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on Wednesday or Friday, then the breaking of the fast is postponed to the next day, and on August 28 it is allowed to eat fish and seafood.

Traditions and signs in the Dormition Fast

The beginning of the Assumption Lent among the people was associated with the harvest and the beginning of autumn. The Feast of the Honey Savior, which falls on the first day of Lent, is the time of the consecration of new honey and the permission to use it for food. Also on August 14, a small consecration of water is performed in churches, which is why the Honey Savior is often called the Savior on the Water. On this day, for the last time in a year, believers swam in rivers and lakes, thus washing away all sins from themselves. According to traditions, after the start of the Dormition Fast, they no longer bathed.

Is it possible to have a wedding during Dormition Fast?

As you know, August is the most favorable time for weddings. This month accounts for almost half of all marriages performed during the year. However, if you have scheduled a wedding for August, be sure to play it either before the 14th or after the 28th.

Wedding at Assumption Post, and even more so, marriage is considered a great sin. After all, fasting is a time of prayer, repentance, abstinence not only from certain foods, but also from various pleasures, including marital intimacy. Old people say that young people who get married during fasting never live together for a long time.

The dates of the most significant church holidays are always and on everyone’s lips, but far from everyone knows what date the Assumption Fast begins. We will fill this gap and tell you when the Dormition fast begins and how it is customary to observe it. In 2016, as, indeed, every year, the two-week period of summer abstinence starts on August 14 and ends immediately before a significant religious event - the day of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos. For a two-week abstinence, there is a small set of rules that determines what you can eat from August 14 to 27 and what not, and whether weddings, fun and various social celebrations can be played at this time.

When the Dormition Fast was established - history and origin

The history and origin of the religious event called the Dormition Fast is rooted in the depths of centuries. The first mention of it dates back to the year 450, and the writing of St. Simeon of Thessalonica tells that the period of abstinence was established to the glory of the Mother of God, who, even after learning about Her great destiny, did not stop eating humble food and praying for all people. Christian texts say that the example of this selfless and sincere woman should inspire every person to good deeds, humility and care for others.

The second version claims that the Dormition Fast was put into circulation in honor of two great church holidays: the Transfiguration and the Dormition. At the Council of Constantinople, held in 1166 under the leadership of Patriarch Luke, the event was finally legalized and became mandatory for all Christians.

What can you eat in the Dormition Fast

The daily diet during this period of time is limited, but not as strictly as, for example, during the period of Great Lent before Easter. Among what you can eat during the Dormition Fast, there are quite a few tasty and satisfying foods, but they can only be consumed on strictly defined days of the week.

Dormition Fast: Nutrition Calendar

1. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are devoted to dry eating. These days, the church allows you to eat raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and dried fruits, liquid and candied honey, slightly sweet crackers, dry unleavened bread and ordinary water (boiled, melted, filtered). Of the seasonings, only salt is allowed, and hot spices, mayonnaise, ketchup and all kinds of sauces are strictly prohibited.
2. On Tuesday and Thursday, various hot dishes are eaten, but without oil. The menu includes soups from vegetables and forest mushrooms, black coffee without sugar, tea, low-sweet compotes, decoctions from berries and herbs.
3. More loyal rules apply for Saturday and Sunday. On weekends, it is allowed to put sunflower oil in food, and during lunch, indulge yourself with 2-3 sips of dry wine.
4. On major church holidays - the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - it is allowed to eat a piece of fish or a serving of seafood. But if significant dates fall on Wednesday or Friday, the Orthodox Church instructs parishioners to break their fast only the next day.

Dormition Fast - Traditions and Rituals

Assumption fast falls on the second half of the last summer month and is associated with the beginning of autumn and the harvest. The day when the Dormition Fast begins, namely August 14, is called the Honey Savior. At this beautiful time, for many centuries, a beautiful ceremony of consecrating honey has been carried out in a row. 2016 will not be an exception, and in mid-August, samples will be taken from freshly pumped honey all over the country and, to the iridescent ringing of bells, they will carry it to churches for consecration.

In addition, on the first day of fasting - the 14th - they must go to church and perform the ritual of ablution in lakes and rivers, thus, as if washing away sins, negative emotions and unholy thoughts from the soul and body.

A wedding in the Dormition Fast is never played. Getting married and having sex during the period of abstinence is considered a great sin. And the products included in the list of what you can eat during fasting are completely unsuitable for the festive table. It is better to devote these two weeks of August to prayers and repentance, and to postpone all personal solemn events for more suitable days.

Assumption Fast is timed to coincide with one of the most important Christian holidays, so it is observed very strictly. From our article you will learn how to eat right during this period, and you will find delicious recipes for lenten dishes.

What is forbidden to eat in the Dormition Fast

Orthodox people who deeply believe in God observe the Dormition fast from August 14 to 27. It is associated with the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin and was originally intended for those who could not observe Great Lent. Three holidays fall at once for this summer time: Savior Honey, Apple and Nut.

Previously, fasting began earlier and lasted longer, since it was not disconnected from Peter's fast. But now there is not only a time gap between them, but also a difference in food intake. Dormition Fast turns out to be just as strict in terms of abstinence from food as Great Lent. Therefore, for its time, the following are excluded:

• meat;
• fish;
• eggs;
• milk;
• cheeses, cottage cheese, kefir and other dairy products.

On weekends, it is allowed to drink wine in small quantities, and on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, even eat fish. The church celebrates this day on August 19. On other days, abstinence from food remains the same strict.

How to eat right in the Dormition Fast

The strictest version of the Fast includes dry eating. This is a type of diet in which plant products that have not undergone heat treatment are eaten. Vegetable oil is also excluded. Bread, however, can be eaten. Basically, this requirement applies to the clergy. But if you try, you will accomplish a worthy feat. On the days of the week in the Dormition Fast, meals are as follows:

• dry eating on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays;
• boiled food is allowed on Tuesday and Thursday, but vegetable oil is not used;
• vegetable oil and wine can be used on weekends.

Be sure to be attentive to yourself and do not bring your body to a deplorable state. It is better to soften the abstinence from food or refuse it completely than to bring yourself to the hospital. There will be no point in such a Fast, because it should lead to a positive spiritual result, and not health problems.

Lenten Recipe: Apple Crumble

Ingredients:

• apples: 4 pieces;
• hercules: 12 tablespoons;
• olive oil: 4 tablespoons;
• honey: to taste.

Take the form in which you will cook and grease it with vegetable oil. Next, you can proceed to the ingredients. First, prepare the apples: rinse them, peel them if desired. Grate the apples on a coarse grater. Now put the resulting mass into a mold and compact it tightly. In a separate bowl, mix honey and olive oil. Add hercules and mix thoroughly. Spread the resulting mixture evenly over the apples that are already in the cooking dish. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. You will know that your culinary masterpiece is ready when the top is browned.

Buckwheat meatballs with mushrooms

Ingredients:

• buckwheat: 1 cup;
• onion: 2-3 onions;
• breadcrumbs: 23-30 g;
• greens: 20 g;
• salt and pepper to taste.

Boil buckwheat: two glasses of water are required for a glass of cereal. Boil it, during this time rinse the grits, and when the water boils, throw it there until it is ready. After that, remove the pot of porridge from the stove and wrap it in a towel. Let it brew for 10-15 minutes.

Mushrooms, onions and herbs cut finely enough. Fry the mushrooms first, then add the onion to them and, towards the end of the preparation of the filling, add the greens. You can also grind the filling, for example, using a blender or meat grinder.

Mix the resulting mass with porridge and wait until everything cools down. Form small meatballs and roll them in breadcrumbs. Now they can be fried and served.

Remember that in addition to food abstinence during the Dormition Fast, it is necessary to pray and cleanse your soul from evil thoughts and intentions. All the best, and don't forget to press the buttons and

10.08.2016 02:25

The Christmas fast is approaching, designed to prepare every Christian for the meeting of the Nativity of Christ. To happen not only...

In Russia, the Dormition Fast was also called Spasovka, Gospozhinki, Ospozhinki, Spozhinki.

Sick people can fast not as strictly as it is written in the Charter. Illness is also a kind of fasting, humility of the flesh. In addition, with some diseases, a gastronomic fast can harm your health. Listen to yourself, ask your doctor for advice.

Its measure of fasting in pregnant women; military personnel; those who work in a busy rhythm or study.

Of course, a special topic is a children's post. Sometimes it is better to agree with children that they will eat less sweets during fasting, for example, than to impose restrictions on them in dairy and meat food. In any case, with all doubts and questions about fasting, I advise you to approach your confessor or a priest you trust.

As during any Orthodox fast, not only bodily abstinence is important during the Dormition Fast, but also spiritual, that is, one should try not to indulge in noisy entertainment, not to quarrel.

As the Church Charter says, the Assumption fast is as strict as Great. This means that from August 14 to 27, Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy products and eggs. August 19, holiday Transfiguration of the Lord allowed to eat fish. On August 28, on the feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God, if it falls on Wednesday or Friday, you can eat fish. In this case, the conversation is postponed to the next day. But if the Dormition falls on other days of the week, then there is no fasting.

According to the monastic charters, it is prescribed:

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - dry eating;

On Tuesdays and Thursdays - boiled food without oil;

On Saturdays and Sundays, vegetable oil and wine are allowed;

On the first day of Lent, on the feast of the Origin (wearing) of the precious trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (August 14), according to tradition, the consecration of honey of the new collection is performed, and from that day its consumption is blessed (therefore, in Russia the holiday received the popular name Honey Savior, and on this day they baked honey gingerbread, pancakes with poppy seeds and honey, pies, buns, buns with poppy seeds);

On holiday Transfiguration of the Lord(August 19) consecrate the apples of the new harvest (therefore, in Russia the holiday received the popular name Apple Savior); The Dormition Fast has long been considered the most pleasant and light in Russia, because the basis of the Lenten table is young potatoes, mushrooms, and vegetables and fruits ripening at this time.

The Dormition fast was established in memory of two twelfth holidays. The first - Transfiguration. The second is the Dormition of the Mother of God. And this multi-day fast begins with another holiday - the Origin (wearing) of the honest trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. The phrase "wearing the honest trees" literally means "procession".

The Church knows the Dormition fast from the very first centuries of Christianity. We read a mention of him in the conversation of Leo the Great, which he delivered in 450: “Church fasts are arranged in a year so that each time has its own special law of abstinence. So for the spring, the spring fast is at Forty, for the summer the summer fast is at Pentecost, for the autumn the fast is in the seventh month, for the winter it is winter.

In 1164, Andrei Bogolyubsky undertook a campaign against the Volga Bulgarians, who were pressing the oppressed inhabitants of the Rostov and Suzdal lands. Trusting in the help of the Queen of Heaven, the prince took with him Her miraculous icon, which was brought by him from Kyiv and subsequently received the name of Vladimir. Two priests in vestments carried in front of the army a holy icon and the Holy Cross of Christ. Before the battle, the pious prince, having communed the Holy Mysteries, turned with a fervent prayer to the Mother of God: “Everyone who trusts in Thee, Lady, will not perish, and I, a sinner, have a wall and cover in You.” Following the prince, generals and warriors fell to their knees before the icon, and, kissing the image, went against the enemy. The Bulgarians were defeated and put to flight. According to legend, on the same day the Greek emperor Manuel defeated the Saracens. Indisputable evidence of the miraculousness of both these victories was the huge fiery rays coming out of the icons of the Savior, the Mother of God and the Holy Cross that were in the troops. These rays covered the regiments of the faithful rulers of Greece and Russia and were visible to all who fought. In memory of these miraculous victories, with the mutual consent of Prince Andrei and Emperor Manuel, and with the blessing of the representatives of the highest church authorities, the feast of the All-Merciful Savior and the Most Holy Theotokos was established.

The Dormition Fast was finally established at the Council of Constantinople in 1166.

We can read about the meaning of the Dormition Fast from Saint Simeon of Thessalonica (end of the 14th century - 1429): “The fast in August (Assumption) was instituted in honor of the Mother of God’s Word, Who, having learned Her repose, as always labored and fasted for us, although, being holy and blameless, and had no need of fasting; so especially she prayed for us when she intended to pass from this life to the next, and when her blessed soul had to unite with her son through the Divine Spirit. Therefore, we must also fast and sing of Her, imitating Her life and thus awakening Her to prayer for us. Some, however, say that this post was established on the occasion of two holidays, that is, the Transfiguration and the Assumption. And I also consider it necessary to remember both of these two holidays, one as giving us sanctification, and the other as propitiation and intercession for us.

In severity, the Dormition Fast approaches the Great Fast. Before the revolution of 1917, during the days of the August Lent, it was impossible to hold carnivals, show clownish performances and theatrical performances.

The people fasted strictly during the Dormition Fast. This post had three peaks - three holidays, which ordinary people called "Spas".

"Honey Spas" (The origin (wearing) of the honest trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord) was celebrated modestly. This day fell on the period of active work in the field. From August 14 (according to the new style), they began to collect poppy seeds, so almost all holiday pastries were made with poppy seeds. They also picked cherry berries. The people believed that the "Honey Spas" ends summer and begins autumn. They treated relatives, friends and, in general, everyone who wanted it to fresh honey - including beggars. It was believed that a generous treat is the key to a good harvest next year.

In the Russian Church, simultaneously with the celebration of the All-Merciful Savior, the remembrance of the Baptism of Russia, which took place on August 14, 988, is combined, in remembrance of which it is established to perform a small consecration of water on this day. Therefore, among the people this holiday is sometimes called “Wet Spas”.

At the time of fasting, as already mentioned, the twelfth holiday falls Transfiguration (August 19).

This day is dedicated to the memory of a significant event on Mount Tabor, where Christ was transfigured before the disciples in His Divine glory, the prophets Moses and Elijah appeared and a voice was heard from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him." By celebrating the Transfiguration, the Church confesses the union in Christ of two natures: the human and the Divine. The meaning of the Transfiguration of Christ is that Christ opens the way and hope for the transfiguration of all mankind.

In churches on this day, the consecration of fruits - grapes and apples - is performed and their eating is blessed. Hence the second name - "Apple Spas". "Apple Spas" (Transfiguration of the Lord) fell at the time of picking apples. Baskets full to the brim were carried to churches where the priest blessed the new harvest. After that it was possible to eat apples. They baked apple pies and gingerbread, cooked compotes and jams.

On August 29, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Savior Not Made by Hands - "The Walnut Savior". In temples on this day, the consecration of nuts is performed and their eating is blessed.

The third “Spas” in Russia was called differently: “Spas on the canvas”, as well as “Canvas”, “Bread”, “Nut”. From that day on, believers could eat nuts from the new harvest.

The feast was called the “Bread Savior” because the day before the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated, with which the end of the harvest was associated. On this day, they baked pies from the flour of the new harvest and said: “The Third Savior has stored up bread” or “If the Third Savior is good, there will be kvass in winter.”

Sayings and signs:

Petrovka is a hunger strike, Spasovka is a gourmet.

The first Spas - to stand on the water, the second Spas - they eat apples, the third Spas - to sell canvases on the green mountains.

In that Maccabees, in that and breaking the fast.

Swallows fly away three times, three times saved.

Whoever (when) wants, and the crane into a pass (flies away).

The thing is going to the Intercession, and not to Petrov (day).

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary(Greek Κοίμησις Θεοτόκου) is a holiday of the Orthodox and Catholic churches dedicated to the memory of the death (assumption) of the Mother of God. In Orthodoxy, it belongs to the number of the Twelve (Assumption of the Most Holy Lady of Our Lady and Ever-Virgin Mary). According to church tradition, on this day the apostles, who preached in various countries, miraculously gathered in Jerusalem to say goodbye and perform the burial of the Virgin Mary.

The Russian, Jerusalem, Georgian and Serbian Orthodox Churches, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and some others celebrate August 15 according to the Julian calendar (August 28 according to the new style). The Catholic Church, Greek and some other Orthodox churches celebrate August 15 in a new style.

Canonical texts do not report the time and circumstances of the death and burial of the Virgin. According to the New Testament, the crucified Christ adopts the closest disciple of the Mother of God - the Apostle John, who from that moment "took Her to himself" (John 19:25-27) in his care. She was with all the apostles in prayer (Acts 1:14) and on the day of Pentecost, like them, she received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-14).

Until the 5th century, the Church Fathers do not mention the Assumption of the Mother of God, and until the 6th century, the Assumption was not celebrated among Christians as a church holiday.

The events of the Assumption and burial of the Virgin are known from several apocrypha: “The Legend of the Assumption of the Virgin” by Pseudo-John the Theologian (originated in the middle of the 5th century or later), “On the Exodus of the Virgin Mary” by Pseudo-Meliton of Sardis (not earlier than the 4th century), the work of Pseudo -Dionysius the Areopagite, "Word of John, Archbishop of Thessalonica". One of these apocrypha is placed in the "History of the Church" by Nicephorus Xanthopoulus. (PG. 145. Col. 812-817). All the listed apocrypha are rather late (5th-6th centuries) and differ from each other in content.

Therefore, the Church did not accept all of their content, but only the main idea that the Virgin Mary reposed blissfully and Her soul was accepted by Her Son Jesus Christ at the Dormition.

The very same holiday in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin was originally called differently, namely the holiday "Memory of the Blessed", under this name in the 5th century it began to be celebrated in Syria. The name of the holiday in the VI century was changed to "The Feast of the Death of the Mother of God." The Nestorians celebrated it on the Friday after Epiphany. In the Syro-Jacobite calendar of 675, the feast of Mary was celebrated on December 26, and this date was long preserved when others appeared. Around the year 460, the celebration of St. Mary on August 15 (Μνημη της Θεοτοκου) came to Jerusalem and, in fact, to Bethlehem, but this was a feast of the glorification of St. Mary without connection with the events around her death. A further stage in the development of the meaning of the holiday after 460 was the designation of August 15 as the day of the death of the Virgin Mary. According to Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos in his "History of the Church", Emperor Mauritius issued an edict in which he set the date for the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin - August 15th. In Rome, a holiday called Dormitio Beatae Virginis was established under Pope Sergius I (687-701), borrowed from Constantinople.

Appearance of the archangel.

By the time of her death, the Mother of God lived in Jerusalem, visited Golgotha ​​and the Holy Sepulcher for prayers. Once, during a prayer, the archangel Gabriel appeared to her, saying that in three days she would “depart to Christ God.” Calming Mary to be ready for Her hour of death, the archangel announced to Her:

"Your Son and our God with archangels and angels, cherubim and seraphim, with all heavenly spirits and souls of the righteous, will receive You, His Mother, into the kingdom of heaven, so that You live and reign with Him for an endless time."

To commemorate his words, the archangel handed the Mother of God a branch of the tree of paradise (Dimitry of Rostov clarifies that it was a branch from a date palm), instructing her to carry it in front of the tomb of the Mother of God during burial.

The Virgin Mary informed Joseph of Arimathea about the news received from the angel. Wanting to see the apostles before her death, she turned with a prayer to God, and “by the command of God, the angels caught up the Apostles who had gone out with the preaching of the Gospel to the ends of the universe and brought them to Jerusalem in clouds, placing them in Zion in front of the doors of the house where the Mother of God dwelt.” Having said goodbye to all her loved ones and having made an order regarding Her property, the Mother of God prepared for death.

“Suddenly, in the upper room, the inexpressible light of Divine glory shone, darkening the lamps. Those to whom this vision was revealed were horrified. They saw that the roof of the upper room was open and the glory of the Lord descended from heaven, - the King of glory Christ Himself with the darkness of angels and archangels, with all the heavenly powers, with the holy forefathers and prophets who once foreshadowed the Blessed Virgin, and with all the righteous souls, he approached His Most Pure Mother. - Dimitri of Rostov. The Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.

After that, the Virgin Mary died peacefully.

Burial The apostles performed the burial of the Theotokos in the tomb where Her parents Joachim and Anna and her husband Joseph the Betrothed were laid to rest. The most pure body of the Virgin Mary was carried in a solemn procession on a bed through Jerusalem, which was reported to the high priests. The guards sent by them could not disperse the procession thanks to a miracle: “a cloudy circle that floated through the air descended to the earth and, as if with a wall, surrounded both the holy Apostles and the rest of the Christians.” The high priest Athos, passing by the procession, tried to overturn the bed, but his hands were cut off by an invisible force. After repentance, he received healing and confessed himself a Christian. After the burial, the apostles closed the entrance to the cave with a stone and left.

According to later apocryphal stories compiled by unknown persons at the end of the 5th and at the beginning of the 6th century, the Apostle Thomas did not participate in the burial of the Virgin. He came to Jerusalem on the third day and began to weep near the tomb. The apostles took pity on him and rolled away the stone from the tomb so that Thomas could venerate the holy body of the Ever-Virgin. But the body of the Most Pure One disappeared. There were only burial sheets in the cave. The Mother of God was taken to heaven in a body. In the evening of the same day, the Mother of God appeared to the apostles at a meal and said: "Rejoice! I am with you all the days." In response, the apostles, raising a piece of bread, exclaimed: "Most Holy Theotokos, help us." In memory of this, the rite of panagia is performed in the monasteries - the offering of a piece of bread in honor of the Mother of God. The charter on food on Wednesdays and Fridays in the period from the end of the Dormition Fast to the beginning of the Christmas (autumn meat-eater) is the same as in the summer meat-eater, that is, on Wednesdays and Fridays, fish is allowed only on the days of the Twelfth and Temple holidays. Food with vegetable oil on Wednesday and Friday is allowed only if these days fell on the feasts of the memory of the great saint with a polyeleos service the day before.

Raphael's painting contains the plot of the Assumption and coronation.

The Catholic tradition emphasizes the Ascension of the Mother of God and the subsequent coronation of Her.