day 15

August 15: Dormition of the Most-Holy Theotokos

Litany & dismissal.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Troparion, in Tone I—

THE 15TH DAY OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST

The assembly of the angels rejoiceth in the immortal repose of the Mother of God; and she, departing for the eternal mansions, is glad and passeth over to the gladness of heaven, to divine joy and everlasting delight. Twice

THE DORMITION OF OUR ALL-HOLY, GLORIOUS MISTRESS,

Desiring the life on high, thou didst abandon this one, O Theotokos, O Maiden, flower of virginity, who gavest birth to Christ, the Life of all. And the assembly of the angels stood by with reverence at thine honored burial, O Bride of God.

THE THEOTOKOS & EVER-VIRGIN MARY

The air is sanctified by thy parting burial hymns; and in thine ascent, O Mother of God Who lovest mankind, is an awesome miracle wrought, O Theotokos who knewest not man. Wherefore, we, the faithful, faithfully do thee homage, O Theotokos who knewest not wedlock.

AT LITTLE VESPERS

Glory…, Now & ever…, in Tone VI—

Come ye, let us celebrate the universal dormition of the most immaculate Theotokos; for today the angels celebrate the honored repose of the Mother of God and summon us mortals to gladness, that we may cry out with never-failing voices: Rejoice, O thou who hast been translated from earth and made thy habitation in the mansions of heaven! Rejoice, thou who hast brought together the choir of the disciples on light clouds! Rejoice, our hope and salvation; for we, the Christian race, unceasingly bless thee!

Prokimenon of the day.

At the aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

The council of the divine disciples and apostles assembled to bury the God-receiving body of her who alone is the Mother of God.

Stichos: Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy holiness.

O Master Who shone forth ineffably from her as her Son, take in Thy hands the most holy spirit of the Theotokos.

Stichos: The Lord hath sword in truth unto David, and He will not annul it.

When thou didst pass over to Him Who had been born of thee, O Virgin, the apostles descended on clouds to bury thy body.

Glory…, Now & ever…, in the same tone & melody—

Be ye lifted up, O ye gates of heaven, beholding the only Mother of God, the portal of the Most High, coming to the highest.

In giving birth thou didst preserve thy virginity, and in thy falling asleep thou hast not forsaken the world, O Theotokos. Thou hast been translated to life, as thou art the Mother of Life. And by thy supplications thou dost deliver our souls from death.