According to tradition, the Virgin Mary was more than seventy years old when the time of her Dormition drew near. Fifteen days before her departure from this earthly life, she sensed that the end was approaching. In her profound humility, she feared that her soul might be tested at the aerial toll houses (Ephesians 6:12). Therefore, she devoted herself to fasting and prayer. In remembrance of this sacred preparation, the Orthodox Church observes a fast lasting fifteen days before the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
Three days before her Dormition, her Son sent the Archangel Gabriel to her. He greeted her with the words, “Rejoice! In three days, your Son will come to receive your soul.” He then gave her a palm branch, a symbol of life and immortality. (Saint Germanus I, Patriarch of Constantinople, Homily II on the Dormition, PG 98:366. Epiphanius the Monk, The Life of the Theotokos, PG 120:213.)
Holding the palm branch, the Theotokos hastened to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, which she had inherited from her parents. She prayed to her Son, saying, “I am not worthy that You should come to receive my soul. Yet You are coming because You are merciful. I beseech You, do not allow the aerial toll houses to harm my soul.”As she made her way home, the trees bowed deeply before her, as though bidding her farewell.
The Theotokos then called for the Apostle John and told him what was about to happen. Upon hearing the news, John began to weep bitterly. She prepared her house, arranged the burial garments, and adorned the funeral bier. She then put on the garment that she wore on special occasions and peacefully awaited her departure.
The news quickly spread throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Widows, orphans, the poor, and all those whom she had comforted came to her home with sorrowful eyes. They wept and said to her, “How can we live without you? We shall be left as orphans!” The Virgin Mary replied, “May the will of my God and my Son be done.”
It was her wish to be buried in Gethsemane.
She also desired that the Apostles of Christ should attend her funeral, although they had been scattered throughout many different lands. Her Son and God granted her request. He sent clouds that miraculously carried the Apostles to her side.
The Apostle Paul also arrived, even though he was not one of the Twelve. He greeted her, saying, “Rejoice, Mother of Life. lthough I did not see Christ in the flesh, when I look upon you, it is as though I see Christ Himself.” He then fell to his knees and bowed at her feet. (Saint Germanus I, Patriarch of Constantinople, Homily II on the Dormition, PG 98:364.)
Everything was ready for the funeral service. The holy and glorious Peter, the leader of the Apostles, was asked to speak. In his humility, however, he offered this honor to Paul. Paul declined and gestured toward Peter, since Peter had been appointed first among the Apostles. “You should speak, for you have labored more abundantly in preaching,” Peter said. “The Lord has appointed you first,” Paul replied. Peter finally consented to speak. John then said to Peter, “Since you are the first among us, you should lead the funeral procession and carry the palm branch.”Peter answered, “No. You should carry the palm branch and lead the procession, because the Lord entrusted His Mother to your care.”In humility, John accepted. (Saint Germanus I, Patriarch of Constantinople, Homily II on the Dormition, PG 98:368.)
The funeral procession arrived at the place of burial in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yet the humble Apostles wondered how they could touch the body of the Virgin Mary and lower it into the grave.
Their humility led them to a solution. Beneath her body on the funeral bier was a linen cloth, whose edges hung down on all four sides. The Apostles took hold of the edges of the cloth and reverently lowered her sacred body into the tomb. (Saint Germanus I, Patriarch of Constantinople, Homily II on the Dormition, PG 98:369.)
The angels who had hovered invisibly over her holy body remained near the tomb and continued their heavenly chanting. This sacred celebration lasted for three days. (Saint John of Damascus, Homily II on the Dormition, PG 96:749.)
The Apostles could not bring themselves to leave the tomb.
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Next in this series: Where Is the Theotokos Now? The Mystery of Her Translation
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