The Light of the Dormition of the Mother of God and the Humble Comfort of Prayer

On the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and St. Hierarch Calinic of Cernica in Montreal.

The Feast of the Dormition is the last great feast of the liturgical year and reminds us of the passing of the Mother of God from this world in hope, as she was taken up bodily into heaven by her Son, out of divine love. This miraculous event remains a source of trust in eternal life and a call to prayer for the faithful.

In his homily, the bishop spoke about the humility of the Mother of God, reflected in her response at the Annunciation: “Let it be to me according to your word.”

“Thus, the Mother of God chose to trust entirely in the power and providence of God, more than in her own experience or the natural understanding of childbirth. And this ‘Let it be’ remains for us the icon of perfect obedience and humility.”

The Gospel reading of the feast also reminds us of the choice of Mary, the sister of Martha, who “chose the better part” - that of listening to the word of Christ. This choice symbolically mirrors the attitude of the Mother of God, who received the Word of God both in her heart and in her body.

“Christ emphasizes that Martha’s service was temporary, while Mary’s choice - to listen to the Word of God - was eternal. [...] This choice of Mary reminds us of the very attitude of the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation: she listened to God’s Word above all human tradition [...]”

The hierarch also recalled the Church tradition according to which the Holy Apostles, although spread throughout the world in their missionary journeys, were miraculously gathered in Jerusalem to be present at the Dormition of the Theotokos. Her bodily elevation into heaven was seen as the crowning of her holy life.

The feast was both a solemn liturgical moment and an occasion for remembrance and prayer for the soul of Father George Chișcă, who fell asleep in the Lord. He served as parish priest of the cathedral for more than half a century.

Joining the hierarch at the altar were Fr. Mircea Panciuk, protopresbyter emeritus, Fr. George Drăgan, Deacon Cătălin Gheorghiu, and Deacon Marius Constantin Popa. The responses were chanted by the members of cathedral choir under the direction of Marius Grosuliac.

(contribution Nun Ana Bulgariu)