08/15/2026
Happy Feast Day!
The Feast of the Dormition celebrates the "falling asleep" of the Virgin Mary and her bodily ascension into heaven. Orthodox tradition recounts that when the Apostles opened Mary's tomb, they found it filled with fragrant flowers and herbs, not her body, which had been taken up to heaven. After Vespers and Liturgy we bless flowers.
The flowers and herbs symbolize the sweet fragrance of Paradise, Mary's purity and holiness, and the blessings she bestows upon the faithful through her prayers.
The blessing of flowers and herbs on this feast day is a way to honor this tradition and remember Mary's role in salvation history.
