Friday, 15 August 2025

Dormition of the Most-Holy Theotokos

Friday of the 10th week after Pentecost

117 days after Pascha · Tone 8 · Major feast Theotokos · Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary

The Feast of the Dormition, or Falling Asleep, of the Theotokos commemorates the death, resurrection and glorification of Christ's Mother. It proclaims that Mary has been "assumed" by God into the heavenly Kingdom of Christ in the fullness of her spiritual and bodily existence. This is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church and is preceded by a strict two-week fast from 1 to 14 August.

According to the holy tradition received from apostolic times, the Most Holy Theotokos remained in Jerusalem after the Ascension of her Son and Lord. She prayed at the holy places connected with the earthly life of Christ, particularly Golgotha and the Holy Sepulchre. The Apostles, who had dispersed throughout the world to preach the Gospel, were miraculously gathered together upon clouds and brought to Jerusalem to be present at her repose. Only the Apostle Thomas was not present at her burial.

The Theotokos was forewarned of her impending death by the Archangel Gabriel, who appeared to her and gave her a branch from a paradisical tree. After taking leave of the Apostles and the faithful gathered around her, she gave up her spirit to her Son and God. The holy Apostles bore her most pure body to the Garden of Gethsemane and laid it in a tomb. After three days, when Saint Thomas arrived and asked that the tomb be opened so that he might venerate her, the Apostles found the tomb empty: the Lord had translated her body to heaven, where she was reunited with her soul and glorified at the right hand of her Son.

The feast is celebrated with particular solemnity at the Tomb of the Theotokos in Gethsemane, where her shroud is preserved. In some local traditions flowers and fragrant herbs are blessed at the Liturgy. The feast has eight days of afterfeast, concluding with the leave-taking on 23 August.

Holy Martyr Tarcisius of Rome

The Holy Martyr Tarcisius was a young Christian of the city of Rome who suffered for Christ in the third century during the persecutions of the early Church. The little that is known of him comes chiefly from a metrical inscription composed by Pope Damasus I in the latter half of the fourth century, which compares him to the Protomartyr Stephen. According to the ancient account, Tarcisius was entrusted with the holy task of carrying the most pure Body of Christ, the Eucharistic Gifts, to imprisoned Christians awaiting martyrdom. As he made his way through the streets of Rome, a band of pagans accosted him and demanded that he show them what he was carrying. Rather than allow the Holy Mysteries to be profaned by impious hands, the young Tarcisius refused to surrender his sacred burden. The mob set upon him, beating, stoning and trampling him. Even as his strength failed him he continued to clutch the linen wrapping containing the Holy Gifts to his breast. When fellow Christians arrived they found him already dead, but the Body of the Lord remained safe and undefiled in his arms. He was buried in the Catacombs of Saint Callistus along the Appian Way. Saint Tarcisius is venerated as a martyr of the Eucharist and as a model of fearless devotion to the Holy Mysteries. He is commemorated on 15 August.

Venerable Macarius the Roman of Novgorod

Saint Macarius the Roman was born at the end of the fifteenth century into a wealthy family of Rome. His parents raised him in piety and gave him an excellent education. From his youth he was drawn to the spiritual life and, learning of the strictness of monasticism in the Russian lands, he resolved to leave his homeland and seek the true faith in Orthodoxy. Saint Macarius left Rome secretly, set out for Russia without money and wearing an old garment, and after many sufferings on his journey arrived in Novgorod. Rejoicing at the sight of so many churches and monasteries, he made his way to the banks of the River Svir, where Saint Alexander of Svir had founded the monastery of the Holy Trinity. Saint Alexander received Macarius into the Orthodox Church and tonsured him as a monk. After some time in cenobitic life Saint Macarius withdrew to a remote island on the River Lezna, about forty-five miles from Novgorod, where he engaged in ascetical struggle, fasting, vigil and unceasing prayer. The fragrance of his sanctity drew disciples around him, and a small monastic brotherhood gathered. He was ordained to the holy priesthood by Bishop Macarius of Novgorod, who later became Metropolitan of All Russia, and was appointed igumen of the new monastery. Saint Macarius reposed on 15 August 1550. His relics were a source of healing for those who came to venerate them, and he is commemorated on the date of his repose, which coincides with the great Feast of the Dormition. He is also remembered on 19 January.

Daily readings

Vespers

Genesis — Genesis 28.10-17

¹⁰And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.

¹⁰And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. ¹¹And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹¹And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹²And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ¹²And he dreamed; and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. ¹³And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; ¹³And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; ¹⁴And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ¹⁴and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ¹⁵And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. ¹⁵And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

¹⁶And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. ¹⁶And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place; and I knew it not. ¹⁷And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. ¹⁷And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Vespers

Ezekiel — Ezekiel 43.27-44.4

²⁷And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD. ²⁷And when they have accomplished the days, it shall be that upon the eighth day, and forward, the priests shall make your burnt-offerings upon the altar, and your peace-offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord Jehovah.

¹Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.

¹Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. ²Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. ²And Jehovah said unto me, This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, neither shall any man enter in by it; for Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it; therefore it shall be shut. ³As for the prince, he shall sit therein as prince to eat bread before Jehovah; he shall enter by the way of the porch of the gate, and shall go out by the way of the same. ³It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

⁴Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.

⁴Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and, behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah: and I fell upon my face.

Vespers

Proverbs — Proverbs 9.1-11

¹Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: ¹Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars: ²She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. ²She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table: ³She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, ³She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city: ⁴Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ⁴Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him, ⁵Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁵Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁶Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding. ⁶Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. ⁷He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁷He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁸Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁸Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ¹⁰The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. ¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.

Matins Gospel

Luke — Luke 1.39-49, 56

³⁹And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

³⁹And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; ⁴⁰And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. ⁴⁰and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. ⁴¹And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: ⁴¹And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; ⁴²And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. ⁴²and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. ⁴³And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴³And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁴For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord. ⁴⁵And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. ⁴⁶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, ⁴⁶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, ⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. ⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. ⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. ⁴⁸For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. ⁵⁶And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

⁵⁶And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house.

Epistle

— Dormition weekly cycle

Philippians — Philippians 2.5-11

⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁵Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁶who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; ⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Epistle

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 1.12-20

¹²For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

¹²For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. ¹³For we write no other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge, and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end: ¹³For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; ¹⁴as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. ¹⁴As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

¹⁵And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit;

¹⁵And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; ¹⁶and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judæa. ¹⁶And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. ¹⁷When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? ¹⁷When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay? ¹⁸But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. ¹⁸But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay. ¹⁹For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea. ¹⁹For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. ²⁰For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. ²⁰For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Gospel

— Dormition weekly cycle

Luke — Luke 10.38-42, 11.27-28

³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁸Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ⁴²but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

²⁷And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

²⁷And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. ²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. ²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Gospel

Matthew — Matthew 22.23-33

²³The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

²³On that day there came to him Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection: and they asked him, ²⁴Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. ²⁴saying, Teacher, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. ²⁵Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: ²⁵Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first married and deceased, and having no seed left his wife unto his brother; ²⁶Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. ²⁶in like manner the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. ²⁷And last of all the woman died also. ²⁷And after them all, the woman died. ²⁸In the resurrection therefore whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. ²⁸Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. ²⁹But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. ²⁹Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. ³⁰For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. ³⁰For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven. ³¹But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, ³¹But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, ³²I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. ³²I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. ³³And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. ³³And when the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.