The Academy prayerfully honored the Assumption of the Mother of God

The Most Holy Mother of God, whose glorious Dormition the Church celebrates, has never left Christians without comfort and help. Her love extends to all who strive to be faithful disciples of Her Son and live for others. Mary herself did not live for herself or her own sake. The whole life of the Most Pure Virgin was a perfect example of sacrificial love for God and neighbor, expressed in constant work and prayer. Even death had no power over Her.

The Mother of God shelters those who follow Her remarkable example with Her intercession and strengthens them on life’s path.

On the blessed day when nature falls silent in holy awe before the mystery of the Dormition of the Mother of God, when time slows before eternity, and when all Christ’s disciples gather with one accord beneath the church vaults to accompany the Most Pure One on Her final journey, an extraordinary proclamation is revealed to the world: there is no death. There is only the reality above all realities: the risen Christ, who raises everyone together with Himself.

On the eve of the feast, August 27, the Academy gathered in the Church of the Intercession for the All-Night Vigil to offer prayers to the Most Holy Mother of God and share in the joy of the celebration. The Academy’s spiritual father, Archimandrite Hilarion (Forkavets), presided at the service and the festal litia. The Academy’s clergy concelebrated with him.

As the choir sang the troparia of the Burial, the Academy’s clergy solemnly brought the shroud of the Most Holy Mother of God out of the altar. They placed it on a flower-adorned analogion in the center of the church, sang special praises to the Mother of God, and performed the rite of Burial.

After the Great Doxology, the clergy, students, teachers, and parishioners processed with the shroud, singing praise to the Mother of God and glorifying Her Dormition.

On August 28, the day of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Church of the Intercession at the Moscow Theological Academy, with Archimandrite Venedikt presiding.

Before Communion, MThA lecturer Hieromonk Innokenty (Melikhov) addressed the worshippers with a sermon. 

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, after the dismissal, the clergy honored the Mother of God with a hymn of praise before Her shroud.

MThA Press Office