The Service of the Lamentations of the Theotokos was held at the Theotokos’ Tomb in Gethsemane on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. The Patriarchal entourage, including the Abbess of Sayda Naya and the Hegoumens of various churches, marched from the Gate of the Patriarchate down Via Dolorosa to the rectory of Gethsemane. A small reception took place while the Priests prepared for His Beatitude’s welcoming reception at the Holy Church of the Dormition.
Upon entering the church, the Patriarchal entourage venerated the Theotokos’ Tomb while hymns were chanted. The Service of the Lamentations was presided over by His Beatitude, who offered incense along with other High Priests and Metropolitan leaders. Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina delivered a sermon on the significance of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
The Church celebrates the Dormition as a joyful occasion, as it marks the Virgin Mary’s transition to eternal life. Through her acceptance of God’s call to be the Mother of Christ, she played a crucial role in the salvation of humanity. The Church honors her for her sinless life and her role in the Incarnation of Christ. The Virgin Mary’s death was not a cause for mourning, but a celebration of her passage to eternal glory and her intercession for believers. Honouring the Most Holy Theotokos is essential for understanding the mystery of the Incarnation of Christ. The Protestant Doctrine and the Roman Catholic Church’s Mariology may diminish this importance. Today, we gather under the leadership of His Beatitude, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to pray and honor the Mother of God. Let us seek her intercession for various needs and thank her for her role in bringing Christ into the world. Our service includes prayers, veneration of the Epitaph, and a reception. The presence of the Theotokos is a source of blessing for us all.
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