This Friday marks the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. Preceded by a two week fast, this feast commemorates the death and assumption into heaven of the Theotokos. I find it especially important to celebrate this feast in the home as it teaches children an appropriate attitude towards death. Through Christ, death is not the end but the beginning and Mary’s assumption beautifully demonstrates the joy and glory of new life that comes to those who have reposed in the faith.

Greeting the Day: Icons are an absolutely wonderful tool to use to teach children about the faith. All 3 of my children have been visually drawn to them since they were small babies and have enjoyed hearing the stories surrounding them as they have grown. During prayer time, tell the story of Mary’s dormition to your children using a print out of an icon.

Afternoon Fun: It is customary in many churches to bring flowers to the liturgy to be blessed. For a fun outing, either take your children to a florist to pick flowers or have them pick wildflowers all on their own. At home, help them arrange the flowers into two bouquets. Take both to the liturgy to be blessed. Leave one at church and bring the other home to adorn your icon corner. If you have extra blessed bouquets, take them to neighbors and tell them that it is in honor of the feast.

Around the Dinner Table: Make it a point to discuss at the table that in this feast, we celebrate that what happened to Mary is something that can happen to all who live a life of humility, love and obedience.

Memory Verse: Luke 11:28 “He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

A little about the author of the this post - To change this standard text, you have to enter some information about your self in the Dashboard -> Users -> Your Profile box. Read more from this author