The Divine Ascension of the

The Divine #Ascension of the Virgin #Mary Dearest members of John's Repentance spiritual service, as we gather today, the 22nd day of August, our hearts are filled with awe and reverence. We celebrate the divine ascent of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Theotokos – the Mother of God. In the time period between August 6tht and 22nd, the Orthodox Church sanctifies these days to remember the ascent of the Virgin Mary, who bore the Light of the World, our Lord Jesus Christ. Delve deep into the sacred scriptures and prophetic utterances, and one finds cryptic references to the resurrection and ascension of the Blessed Virgin. Remember the words of the wise King Solomon, whose poetry sang of love and beauty: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come" (Song of Solomon 2:10-14). These words, though veiled in mystique, allude to the Virgin Mary's sufferings symbolized by "winter and rain". The blossoming flowers represent the apostles, who sat, learned, and drank from the fountain of Christ's wisdom, and thereafter spread the Gospel to the world's ends. Just as winter makes way for spring, so too did the Virgin’s earthly tribulations pave the way for her glorious ascension. David, the psalmist king, proclaimed in spiritual ecstasy, "Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified" (Psalm 131:8). This, dear brethren, is an allegorical allusion to the Virgin, the Ark of the New Covenant. She, who was pure in body, soul, and heart, was destined to ascend and find rest in the divine sanctum of Christ's Kingdom. The Holy Fathers, particularly those who uphold the traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, have interpreted another psalm as, "At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir" (Psalm 45:9). Herein lies the affirmation that the "Queen of Heaven, the Virgin Mary, stands resplendent in her purity beside her Son in the heavenly realm. Saint Ephraim the Syrian and the blessed Ethiopian teacher, Saint Yared, have spoken at length about her divine journey. Saint Yared has sung, “The Virgin Mary, ascended from earth to heaven; And there she took her place with her son, at the right hand of the Father and the Holy Spirit.” Saint Ephraim extolled, "O Virgin, full of grace, you are exalted above all saints. You are the intercessor for our souls, the beacon of our faith." Regarding the apostle Thomas, the "Doubting Thomas", there exists a poignant tale. Upon the Virgin Mary's dormition, when her sacred body was lifted to the heavens, it was Thomas who beheld her ascent. When he met the other apostles, they told him of her burial, and in disbelief, he wished to see her tomb. But upon its opening, it was found empty, save for her shroud. Thus, even in her ascension, the Virgin Mary granted faith to the one who doubted. In conclusion, beloved seekers of divine wisdom, though volumes could be written about the wonders and miracles of the Blessed Virgin, it is essential to remember the purpose of these tales and teachings. Let us honor her, not just on her feast days, but daily, asking for her intercessions and blessings. For in celebrating her, we find a path closer to Christ. And in understanding her journey, we find solace and hope in our own spiritual voyage. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every language that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of the Holy Mother of God, the Virgin, and the Cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance