Dormition of the Theotokos
A tradition in the Orthodox Churh is to bless flowers and herbs on the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. In the West, it is the feast of the Assumption.
Tradition has it that when Mary fell asleep, all the Apostles except Thomas was there for her burial in Gethsamene. Thomas arrived three days later and wanted to see her body. When they opened her tomb, her body was gone and there was a fragrance of flowers instead.
We also bless herbs because basil was at the foot of the Cross. Mary was also at the foot of the cross until the end.
Evelyn did a wonderful job of decorating the chapel. Fr. John asked me to take photos. He probably does not know that I already took some. But the Litya tray was not there at the time.
I also wanted a picture of Matushka Tatiana and her two sons. But she moved out of the way. Had she stayed where she was, it would had been a great picture, I think. It would also had been a picture that can be used for teaching purposes later.
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