The rite of the burial of the Most Holy Theotokos occurs on the third day after the Assumption

Among all the holidays celebrated by the Orthodox Church, the Mother of God is probably the most touching. On the feast of the Mother of God, the believers call those who remember an event concerning the Mother of God. This is the Introduction to the Temple of the Mother of God, the Annunciation, the Assumption and the Order of Burial, the Nativity of the Mother of God, the Protection. This list is the main milestones of the life of the Virgin Mary. True, she took part in some other events, which are now celebrated with holidays: Christmas, Sylvania, but these days are considered masters' holidays.

The Assumption

The Gospel describes only one event that corresponds to the Annunciation.
The Mother of God was very modest and, although it is reliably known that the Gospel of Luke was practically written from her words, she never mentioned other events that concerned her. All other events were not preserved in the Holy Scripture, but in the Sacred Tradition of the Church. The Russian Orthodox Church reveres Tradition as a reliable and important source. It is from him that the story of the Assumption of the Mother of God is taken.

history of the holiday

Shortly before her death, the Virgin Mary wished to see all the apostles. They were brought to her on a cloud so that the Mother of God could say goodbye to the disciples of Christ on earth with the hope of meeting in the Highlands.

Only one apostle did not come to the meeting, it was the apostle Thomas. But, as will become clear later, this was a special God's craft.

The Mother of God was very afraid of airy ordeals, and the Son Himself came to take her pure soul to heaven, the next day the rank of the burial of the Most Holy Theotokos was appointed. A lot of people gathered for the funeral, the Jews and persecutors of Christians even wanted to arrange riots. But the wicked, who stretched out his hand to the bed of the Most Holy Theotokos and wanted to overturn him, immediately lost them. The angel cut off the hands that touched the coffin.

After such injury, the Jewish priest believed in Christ, repented, was healed and began to continue the rank of the burial of the Most Holy Theotokos with all the disciples. Many miracles and healings occurred while the coffin was carried to the Garden of Gethsemane ...

The apostle Thomas arrived in Jerusalem in three days. He was very upset that he was not present at the death of the Mother of God and missed the rite of the burial of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Thomas went to Gethsemane and, wishing to worship the remains of the Mother of God, opened the funeral cave. The body of the Virgin Mary was not there. The Lord took the Mother to heaven, only the veils remained in the cave.

Modern holiday

Now the Assumption of the Mother of God is preceded by a two-week fast. The holiday itself is celebrated on August 28 with a new style, and on August 29 or 30 the rank of the burial of the Most Holy Theotokos is appointed.

This day is a solemn and touching All-night Vigil. All prayers and canons are dedicated to the Mother of God. Believers seem to remind her that, despite the Assumption, she promised to help Christians. At the end of the service, the burial of the Most Holy Theotokos takes place.

From the day of the Assumption in the church there is a shroud of the Mother of God, and now the priests take it and with singing, prayers, solemnly for the bell ringing around the church.

The rite of the burial of the Virgin is one of the most impressive services, a lot of people are always flocking to it.