Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the feast of the Dormition of Holy Mary on August 15.
As the legend goes, three days before the death of Mary, the Archangel Gabriel appeared and announced to her from her Son, Jesus Christ, the time of her departure into eternity. On the day of her death, in a miraculous manner the Apostles gathered in Jerusalem, although they had been scattered in various countries of the then known world. St. Thomas was the only Apostle absent. The Apostles, while singing holy hymns, carried the body of Mary to the grave where they remained keeping vigil for three days. On the third day, St. Thomas came from afar and desired very much to view for the last time the Most Pure Mother of God. When the grave was opened, her body was not there, only the funeral clothes in which the body had been wrapped. The Apostles then realized that Mary had been taken up body and soul into heaven.
Upon completion of the Divine Liturgy the traditional Blessing of the Grapes ceremony will be performed.
August 16 is marked as the day of commemoration of the dead, announced by RA government as a day off instead of Saturday, August 21.
