Assumption of Mary

According to the ancient traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary's body was taken into Heaven along with her soul after her death. Accepted tradition for centuries, this doctrine was formally dogmatically defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950. The Eastern Orthodox do not recognize the pope's claim to authority over all Christians, nor his claim to infallibility, however they do accept the doctrine.

The ascension of Mary's body into heaven is called the Assumption of Mary by Catholics and the Dormition of the Theotokos by the Greek Orthodox Church. Both churches commemorate the event on August 15; in the Roman Catholic Church, that date is known as the Feast of the Assumption, while in the Eastern Orthodox Church it is more often known as the Feast of the Dormition (which means "falling asleep"). The Orthodox use of the word, Dormition, emphasizes the belief that Mary did bodily die before her Assumption, and was then resurrected. Catholics have not defined this point, and it is permissible to hold either that Mary died before her Assumption into heaven, or that, like Enoch and Elijah, she did not die at all, and was Assumed directly into heaven.

The Assumption is important to many Christians as the Virgin Mary's heavenly birthday (the day that Mary was received into heaven). Her acceptance into the glory of heaven is seen as the confirmation of the promise made by Jesus to all enduring Christians that they too will be received into paradise. Mary's position in the presence of God in heaven is held to permit her to hear the prayers of Christians on earth, and intercede for them, joining her prayers with theirs.

The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated on August the 15th in both the Eastern and Western Churches, is a Public Holiday in many countries, including France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. In many places, religious parades, and popular festivals are held to celebrate this day.