by Rev. Dr. V Kurian Thomas Valiyaparambil
On August 15 we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary. Orthodox churches celebrate the Assumption of St. Mary into heavenly glory on this day. The Assumption into heaven at the end of her earthly life is a defined dogma of most traditional Christian churches. The doctrine teaches that after the mother of Jesus died, she was taken up into heaven. This feast commemorates the death and assumption of St. Mary into heaven.
St. Mary's Assumption into heaven is important to Christians. Her acceptance into the glory of heaven is seen by many as the symbol of the promise made by Jesus to all of us that we too will be received into heaven one day. It is a major church festival commonly celebrated on August 15. Several churches celebrate this occasion as an annual Feast Day (Perunnal).
By contemplating on Mary's heavenly glory, we will understand the earth is not the definite homeland for us. If we live a life with our mind fixed on eternal life, then we will share the same heavenly glory and the earth will look more beautiful for us.
The taking up of St. Mary into Heaven became the established teachings of several Christian churches after the 6th century. It has not been claimed that this doctrine is based on scriptural accounts, but rather on historic teachings and indirect evidence.
The names "Assumption" and "Ascension" are significant terms. Note that the two terms are different in meaning. "Assumption" is something that God did to Mary in bringing her soul into heaven over which she had no control . "Ascension" is what Jesus did under his own power. Note that in John 3:13, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man."
A portion of the Sermon about St. Mary's Dormition by HB Catholicose Aboon Mor Basalious Thomas I
THEOTOKOS - The Mother of God by Jacob P Varghese
The designation and depiction of Mary as 'Theotokos' is ancient and venerable, beginning from the second century, gaining firm establishment by the fourth and fifth centuries. The title 'Theotokos' was made official by the III Ecumenical Council (Ephesus, 431 AD) which decreed that the Virgin should be honored by this name which confirms the Orthodox belief in the Incarnation: that Christ was both true God and true man.
Assumption Versus Dormition (Departure) by Zach George Arapura
The orthodox view of Assumption is that Mary died a natural death and her soul was received by Son and on the third day, after her death, her body was transported to heaven.
The Feast of the Assumption (Shunoyo) of St. Mary by Fr. Mathai Varkey Puthukkunnathu
Beyond all heretical teachings and deviations, the prominence of Saint Mary is made clear in the words of Cyril of Alexandria, "I have been amazed that some are utterly in doubt as to whether or not the Holy Virgin is able to be called the Mother of God. For if our Lord Jesus Christ is God, how should the Holy Virgin who bore him not be the Mother of God?"
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