Dormition of the Theotokos

More than 70,000 pilgrims visit Nicula Monastery for Dormition celebrations

Approximately 25,000 pilgrims attended the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on Saturday, 15 August, at Nicula Monastery in Cluj County. According to law enforcement estimates, more than 70,000 people visited the monastery in the days leading up to its patronal feast. Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș and…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian church in Boian, Canada, consecrated three years after devastating fire

The Romanian community’s new church in Boian, Alberta, Canada, was consecrated on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, three years after a fire destroyed the old place of worship. His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada described the occasion as “a new rebirth for the Boian community”, as well as a…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The Mother of God remains present in the world through her prayers

“Although the Mother of God passes through death and is then taken up to heaven in body as well as in soul, she remains forever present in the world through her prayers,” Patriarch Daniel of Romania said on Saturday at the historic Chapel of St George the Great Martyr at the Patriarchal Residence. His Beatitude…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian metropolitan visits Canada: We pass from death to life by being filled with Christ

“The feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God is such a great feast because the Mother of God chose humility, just like her Son,” Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe said on Friday evening at the Romanian Orthodox parish in Boian, Alberta, Canada. His Eminence celebrated the all-night vigil for…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian bishop in Sydney: The Mother of God remains present among Christians

“Although the Mother of God was humble throughout her life, she was not absent,” Romanian Orthodox Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand said on Saturday at the Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Parish in Sydney, Australia. “Just as the Ascension of the Lord did not mean, and did not remain, an absence from the midst…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae: Dormition of the Mother of God is ‘the feast of our hope’

“The Dormition of the Mother of God is also the feast of our hope,” Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas said on Thursday in a pastoral message for the feast. His Eminence explained that the Church does not regard this moment as one of despair, but as a testimony to the victory of life: “The Mother of…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Dormition Fast begins with prayer, fasting and spiritual renewal

The Dormition Fast begins on Friday for Orthodox Christians observing the revised calendar and concludes on 14 August, the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. During these two weeks, the faithful are called to fasting, prayer and spiritual purification. Typically, the fasting period starts on 1 August. However, according…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest abbot invites faithful to all-night vigil for Virgin Mary to redeem wasted sleepless nights

The abbot of Darvari Monastery, Protosyncellus Arsenie Irimiea, is calling on Bucharest residents to attend, on the evening of August 14, an all-night vigil followed by the Sacrament of Holy Unction, on the occasion of the Dormition of the Mother of God — a spiritual remedy for wasted sleepless nights. Father Arsenie of Darvari Skete…

Aug 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bp Atanasie at Putna Monastery: The Theotokos shows us that through Christ death becomes a dormition

“Today, the Mother of God shows us that death becomes a dormition through the Saviour Christ, who shows us that death becomes Resurrection,” said Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania on August 15 at Putna Monastery. Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuți, together with his Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna and Italy’s Assistant Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania,…

Aug 21, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

7 short prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos

During the period of fasting dedicated to preparing for the Dormition of the Mother of God, let us not neglect to offer her praise, gratitude, and even our most fervent petitions as often as possible. In addition to the simplest and most frequently recited prayer – “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” – we offer seven…

Aug 11, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Justin suggests praying the supplicatory canon to the Theotokos every evening during Dormition Fast

His Grace Bishop Justin of Maramures and Satmar offered pastoral advice at the beginning of the Dormition Fast on August 1. The Bishop of Maramures recalled that the two weeks of fasting established by the Orthodox Church before the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos are an excellent occasion to thank God “with devotion,…

Aug 2, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu