54. August 1-15 Dormition of The Ever Virgin Mary

Close-up of a Dormition icon, showing Christ receiving the eternal spirit of his Mother as a new-born infant

Dearest reader,

Let's leave our angel-friend to sit and sulk, and to contemplate the condition of his soul for a moment in order to become aware of the Bride's preparation for the grandest of all feasts of the year commemorating the life of the ever Virgin Mary, the mother of God incarnate.

We will dismiss the angel temporarily because the Bride and her children will be fasting for two weeks and angel can't even imagine what that means, so we won't trouble him as he is troubled enough right now.

On August 15th Mary will gently pass over from this earthly life to continue to live happily ever after with her God and Son.

On the first Passover, the angel of death passed over the homes of the Jews whose doorways were marked with the blood of the sacrificial lamb. On the second Passover, Pascha, also known as Easter, Jesus Christ passed over from death on the cross to resurrection and immortal life for Himself and all of humanity through His victorious annihilation of death. First death is avoided, then it is annihilated.

On this third Passover the Mother of God passes over from life on earth to life in heaven without ever going through death at all. She simply falls asleep and is assumed into heaven. The prophet Elijah foreshadowed such a miraculous passing when he was taken up to heaven in a chariot. We will see him soon.

Those who want to fully participate in the life of the Bride prepare for this third holy Passover by fasting just as in Great Lent before the Crucifixion/Resurrection Passover. then it is seven long weeks, but here only two. Let's focus on the soul because we form the Bride on earth which is preparing for our Marriage Feast in heaven at the culmination of this age. Let's honor the Mother of our Bridegroom.

For this brief period of time, let our bodies take the back seat. Eat no meat, dairy or bonefish. Enjoy the foods of the Garden of Eden where we lived in peace with God in our midst, the life to which we aspire to return. Let's just eat vegetables, fruit and nuts. No alcohol. In this way, let God know that our immortal life in Him, as His Bride, means more to us than the hunger of our mortal flesh.

The Orthodox Bride offers many beautiful church services during these two weeks, where the Virgin Mary is venerated and asked for Her Powerful intercession for health of our bodies and souls.

This is an electric two weeks, participate and enjoy!

Your sister in Christ,

Evangeline