In the days of the feast of the Dormition, the Psalter of the Mother of God is ceaselessly read at the shroud of the Theotokos at St. Seraphim-Diveyevo Convent.
The Queen departed to the King of Kings, the Mother of God to her Son and God. Hearing from the lips of the Theotokos herself the news of her impending repose, the faithful around her could not hold back from tears: The entire abode was filled with weeping and mourning; all begged the merciful Lady, as their common Mother, not to leave them as orphans. But the Mother of God entreated that they not weep, but rejoice in her repose, because in drawing nearer to the throne of God, beholding her Son and God face to face and speaking with Him mouth to mouth, in death she can entreat Him with great boldness for mercy and blessings; thus, the Most Blessed Theotokos promised not to leave the whole world orphaned after her departure.
In the church on this day there are many flowers and the sweet fragrance of a summer celebration. The burial shroud of the Mother of God is placed under a canopy adorned with white flowers in the center of the Transfiguration Cathedral. Around it is celebrated the festal service, and then the entire night, until the Liturgy, the sisters alternate reading the Psalter of the Most Holy Theotokos. The reading of the Psalter stops during the Divine service and then resumes again.
In the days of the feast of the Dormition, the Psalter of the Mother of God is ceaselessly read at the shroud of the Theotokos at St. Seraphim-Diveyevo Convent.
The Queen departed to the King of Kings, the Mother of God to her Son and God. Hearing from the lips of the Theotokos herself the news of her impending repose, the faithful around her could not hold back from tears: The entire abode was filled with weeping and mourning; all begged the merciful Lady, as their common Mother, not to leave them as orphans. But the Mother of God entreated that they not weep, but rejoice in her repose, because in drawing nearer to the throne of God, beholding her Son and God face to face and speaking with Him mouth to mouth, in death she can entreat Him with great boldness for mercy and blessings; thus, the Most Blessed Theotokos promised not to leave the whole world orphaned after her departure.
In the church on this day there are many flowers and the sweet fragrance of a summer celebration. The burial shroud of the Mother of God is placed under a canopy adorned with white flowers in the center of the Transfiguration Cathedral. Around it is celebrated the festal service, and then the entire night, until the Liturgy, the sisters alternate reading the Psalter of the Most Holy Theotokos. The reading of the Psalter stops during the Divine service and then resumes again.
