The Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar on August 28 celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, which commemorates the “falling asleep” or death of Mary the Theotokos (“Mother of God”), and her bodily resurrection before being taken up into heaven. The two-week Dormition Fast ends with this feast. In many villages, the churches celebrate the “hram” (dedication) day on this day, bishop of the Protection of the Mother of God Church of Ghidighici Maxim Melinti has told IPN.
According to the bishop, on this day each Christian is invited to church to adjust their lifestyle and attitude to God and to the close people. “On this feast day, all the Christians are expected to come to church to pray, to confess their sins and to take communion. As it is the Feast of Holy Mary, many women and girls celebrate the name day today. The fast ends and the parishioners can eat what they couldn’t during the fasting period,” stated Maxim Melinti.
There are four great Marian feast days, namely the Nativity of the Theotokos on September 21, Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple on December 4, Annunciation on April 7 and the Feast of the Dormition.
