St. George
Serbian Orthodox Church
Carmichaels, PA
The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God
August 28, 2003
by Fr. Rodney Torbic
The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is preceeded by a specific period of
fasting. The period of fasting is a time of preparation and contemplation. Periods of
fasting require us to turn our attention to God and to the commitment we made initially
as Orthodox Christians.
When we first commit ourselves to Jesus Christ, we do so willing and freely. We do not
become Orthodox Christians by coercion. We do not remain Orthodox Christians by coercion.
Each step of Orthodox Christianity is a step of choice for Jesus Christ. We come to
Jesus Christ for salvation. We come to Jesus Christ for wholeness. We come to Jesus Christ
for healing.
We come to Jesus Christ with great joy. We remember His Mother for the special place
she has had in salvation history. We remember His Mother for the place she has had in the
life of Christ which no other woman, no other person has had.
We remember the Mother of God because she continues to act in behalf of believers.
We remember the Mother of God for the miracles attributed to her. We remember the Mother
of God and come to her in prayer in the present.
The Holy Orthodox Church marks the Nativity of the Mother of God as a feast. The Holy
Orthodox Church marks the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple as a feast.
Many other times during the year, the Mother of God is remembered and is in the forefront
of the Church.
Each year in August, thoughts of Orthodox Christians turn to the Feast of the Dormtion
of the Mother of God. The Mother of God's departure from earthly life is celebrated
liturgically each August.
The Church's attention focused on the Mother of God gives individual believers reason
to consider and reconsider their own lives. The Mother of God sets a standard for believers.
The Mother of God inspires believers to want to be better Christians. The Mother of God is
the measurement for purity and obedience in the Church.
Great joy is associated with the feasts of the Mother of God. Great joy is associated
with the birth of Jesus Christ.
As Orthodox Christians, we can never forget the Cross. We can never forget that Mary
stood in witness of the Crucifixion. Jesus did not forget His Mother. Jesus does not forget
those who come to Him in faith.
At this time of the year when the Dormition of the Mother of God captivates our attention,
let us pray fervently to the Mother of God. Let us beseech her to intercede with Jesus Christ
our Lord that we may be saved. Through the prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God and all the
saints, may the Lord have mercy on us and save us.