Dormition of the Theotokos
Troparion to the Dormition of the Theotokos in tone one
In giving birth, O Theotokos, thou hast retained thy virginity
and in falling to sleep thou hast not forsaken the world
Thou who art the Mother of Life hast passed over into life
and by thy prayers thou dost deliver our souls from death.
Kontakion to the Dormition of the Theotokos in tone two
Neither the tomb nor death had power over the Theotokos
who is ever watchful in her prayers
and in whose intercession lies unfailing hope.
For as the Mother of Life she has been transported into life
by Him who dwelt within her evervirgin womb.
The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is our patronal feast (the feast of the church for which our church is named). Dormition is a latin word that means "falling asleep"; referring th the death or passing of the Theotokos. Theotokos is a greek word which means "Mother of God".
Just before the passing of the Theotokos all the apostles except Thomas were mystically transported to Jerusalem to be with her in her last hours. As She was passing Christ appeared in person with Angels and Saints to receive her soul and escort her to heaven. The Apostles then buried her body in Gethsemane where Joseph and her parents were buried. On the third day after her burial Thomas arrived desiring to see the Mother of God one last time. The tomb was opened and found to be empty. By this the Apostles understood that Mary had been taken up body and soul into heaven.
A More detailed description and explanation of the of the Dormition of the Theotokos may be found here.
Here at Holy Dormition Orthodox Church we celebrate the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 28th which is Aug. 15 according to the Julian Calendar.
For us this feast ranks with Pascha and Nativity because our beloved Hierarch Metropolitan Joseph comes and stays a week with us. Metropolitan Joseph "grew up" in a monastery dedicated to the Mother of God, where he became Abbot before being raised to the Episcopacy. He has a great devotion to the Mother of God making this is a time of great spiritual benefit and renewal for us.
Our celebration begins on the evening of the 27th with a full vigil service for the feast followed by a Hierarchical liturgy the next morning and a grand banquet under the redwood trees.