On the Dormition of the Mother of God:

On the Dormition of the Mother of God:

I will ask you today, Who is it Whose Dormition we are commemorating? I know that each, according to his zeal towards the Deceased, will answer with all kinds of laudatory words. Some may say, “The Mother of God has passed away to her Son and God” or, “The living heavens is ascending”; others will say, “The impassable gates are carried to the heavenly doors” or, “The Sun, in which the Most High has dwelt, is risen from the earth into heaven”; still others might say, “The most pure and most honorable Dwelling of God has been taken to churches not made by hands”.  Everyone will say something lauding according to their piety. But I will address Our Supremely Pure Lady Theotokos and ask, “Who are You, lying here?” In response I hear a humble voice: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord!” (Luke 1:38) - St Dimitry of Rostov