What role does prayer and in general communication with God play in a person's life? For the average individual, this is a kind of lifeline, a straw that we grasp at difficult times when all other possibilities have been exhausted. And for a person who believes in moments of prayer, there is an exchange of energy - a common religious egregore and his own. After all, turning to God or the saints, on the one hand, he puts his whole soul, heartfelt heat into his words. And on the other hand, it absorbs the meaning inherent in prayer texts, many of which have existed for more than one century. And what they say, gradually enters the consciousness, becomes necessary, radically changes both life itself and the attitude towards it. This is how the growth and formation of spirituality occurs.
Feast of the Assumption
How is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin connected with all this? Prayer addressed to the Mother of God is always strong. And the related onewith this event, gives even more bright hope to people. Dormition is death, burial. But the Christian attitude towards it is devoid of that drama, that tragic beginning, which is inherent in people of an atheistic orientation. If for the unbeliever death is the end of everything, the complete annihilation of the personality, without return, then for the Christian everything looks different. The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, prayer to which is like, as the theological books say, “a beautiful wreath of doxology,” and is an example of such a special attitude. On the one hand, the death of the Virgin Mary filled the hearts of those who surrounded her, loved her, and who were close after the death of Jesus with grief. On the other hand, they rejoiced for her, for now the suffering Mother was reunited with her beloved Son. In addition, the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, prayer in her honor is also the glorification of eternal life in Christ, the recognition of the corruption of the flesh and the immortality of the soul. Therefore, the holiday is considered joyful, bright, and the sadness inherent in it is painted in soft colors. It is celebrated by both Catholics and Orthodox. In Russia, it is considered one of the main church celebrations.
Solemn glorifications
On the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, a prayer, or rather, an akathist, uttered by believers and at divine services, sounds something like this: death and showed all people an example of true immortality and the power of divine forces. Therefore, even in death, the Mother of God does not leave her flock, and all ChristiansThey continue to rely on her help. People rejoice at her, and he herself rejoices that she left her mortal earthly abode and ascended to heaven. The full prayer, its text consists of 25 so-called “songs”: 13 praises (kontakia, ending with the praise of the Lord) and 12 doxologies, they are also “ikos”, the first word in which is “rejoice.”
Celebrations in honor of the Blessed Virgin
According to the new style, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 28. This corresponds to the 15th of August, if compared with the old style. On this day, all Christianity remembers the righteous life of the Mother of God, her departure with the angels to the Son, glorifies them, expresses hope for salvation. Solemn services are held in large and small churches, special services are conducted. Believers hold fasts before this event.
Pray - and the Mother of God will hear you!
