Christian Holiday The Assumption of Mary

The assumption of Mary is a popular Christian holiday celebrated by Christians all over the world.

Some Christians call it the Assumption of Mary while others call this day Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The holiday honors the belief that when Mary, mother of Jesus, died, her body was assumed into heaven to be reunited with her soul.

It is mostly celebrated in some parts of Europe and South America.

According to the beliefs, the Assumption of Mary is the bodily taking of Mary, mother of Jesus, into heaven.

Church Beliefs

Some churches that celebrate the Assumption of Mary include the Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox Churches, and Church of the East among others.

In the Anglican Church and Lutheranism, the holiday is celebrated as St. Mary of our Lord while it is known as the Dormition of the Theotokos in the Eastern Churches.

The Feast day of the Assumption of Mary is celebrated on the 15th of August.

But very few people know the meaning of the holiday and its significance.

So what happens on the Assumption of Mary and why is the holiday special?

What happens on Christian holiday the Assumption of Mary?

The Assumption of Mary is a Christian holiday celebrated in many countries.

It is a public holiday in various countries such as France, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Chile, Italy, and many others.

During the Assumption of Mary’s holiday, special church services and feasts are conducted.

The celebrations are accompanied by colorful street events, festivals, and fireworks.

Many Christians attend church services, light candles, and say prayers of peace all over the world.

When is the Assumption of Mary celebrated?

The Assumption of Mary is marked on or around the 15th of August.

Most countries in Europe and South America celebrate this great festival.

It is a Christian holiday that honors the occasion of Mary, mother of Jesus, the bodily ascent to heaven at end of life here on earth.

In some countries, the feast is referred to as the Holy day of Obligation.

However, the New Testament does not have any narrative about the death nor assumption of Mary.

What is the meaning of the Assumption of Mary Holiday?

The narrative about the assumption of Mary is not mentioned in the New Testament.

However, several apocryphal documents explain the afterworld of Mary, mother of Jesus.

According to the documents, when she died, her body did not go through the normal process of decay upon death.

The body was risen into heaven to be united with the soul.

Thus, God took Mary’s body and soul to heaven when her life on earth came to an end.

The feast is also known as Feast of the Assumption, the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, or the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What is the history of this Christian Holiday?

According to Wikipedia, the assumption of Mary has roots in the Early Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church teaches the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary.

It clarifies that when Mary, mother of Jesus, ended her life; God choose to take her body and soul into heaven.

In Jerusalem, there is a site that was known as the tomb of Mary.

According to the earliest Christians, when the emperor requested the body of Mary, nobody was found in the tomb.

St. Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem told the emperor that Mary, mother of Jesus, died in presence of all the apostles.

And when the tomb was opened, it was found empty. Thus, the apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven.

In the 8th Century, the time of Pope Adrian, the church remained the feast day from Memorial of Mary to Assumption of Mary.

In 1950, Pope Pius XII official defined the Dogma of the assumption of Mary.

Pope wrote “By the power of our Lord Jesus, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own power, we affirm, pronounce, and outline it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory,”

Today, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary is a major Christian holiday.

It is also a public holiday in various countries in Europe and South America.

In countries such as the United States of America, it is known as the Holy Day of Obligation.

Why do Christians believe in the Assumption of Mary?

A statue of Mary standing by the Holy Cross.

The Assumption of Mary, mother of Jesus, is not just a Catholic Church holiday.

The Feast is celebrated on August 15th and it is a vital day on the church calendar.

However, Catholics are the main Christians who celebrate the Assumption of Mary.

Nevertheless, feast day is important for various reasons.

The whole point of dogma is to emphasize Mary’s bodily assumption.

If only Mary’s soul went to heaven at the end of her life, then it could not be different from any other person who died.

But Mary’s assumption reminds us that salvation is holistic.

Salvation for Christians

Christians are saved in the fullness of humanity, soul, and body.

Besides, Mary accepted God’s will and freely and faultlessly obeyed.

She served God, followed her Son, and she was there at Jesus’s death and resurrection.

As a reward for her goodness, Mary assumed to heaven where she resides in the company of our Lord Jesus, and the saints.

Mary can hear Christian prayers because she has a connection to Jesus Christ.

Thus, she can intercede for all Christians when they pray.

Luckily, there are countless miracles credited to her intercession.

Also, the assumption of Mary gives Christians hope for a physical resurrection.

Final Words

Assumption of Mary is a great holiday that commemorates the belief that when Mary died, her body was assumed into heaven to be reunited with her soul.

Thus, it is a great feast day celebrated in various countries around the world.

The Virgin Mary remains a vital figure in the Catholic faith and for many Christians around the world.

Christians are also encouraged to follow her examples and to emulate her devotion.

Besides, the Rosary is a devotional prayer dedicated to Mary and Jesus Christ, her son.