After Jesus went to Heaven, take care of the Mother of God became John the Evangelist.And when he went on a long journey, and it was not close, Mother of God he lived in his parents' house.
To her constantly coming believers to see the Virgin Mary personally and talk about the events that take place in her life, her son Jesus and his birth.She, in turn, constantly preached Christianity and prayed a lot.
As legend
Icon "Assumption of the Virgin" - what it depicts?All this below.
So when the mass persecution of Christians, Mary and the Evangelist went to Ephesus, where John was going to preach to the people the Christian faith.It was then that the Mother of God visited the Four Lazarus, who lived in Cyprus.And when Mary went up to the Holy Mount Athos, she said these words: "This is a place I will be in the lot given to me by My Son and God.I'll place the Patroness and Hodataitsa God about it. "
Shortly before her Assumption visited Jerusalem.Soon her as the Mother of God have learned throughout the world.Here the faithful went to her preaching, and ardently desired to kill enemies.But the Lord kept it safely from all attacks and threats.
at the Holy Sepulcher
Mary returned home cheerful.She was happy he would meet with his son.The only thing she asked of the Lord - is that he has collected for her death all the Apostles who preached Christianity in the meantime in different parts of the world.Very often, she came to the Holy Sepulchre.There she prayed for a long time and thought about something.And one of these days in prayer down to her from Heaven Archangel Gabriel.He told her that her earthly life will soon be over and begin life in heaven.
Actually this is where the story begins that represents the icon "Assumption."
As shown in the icon?
Here came that day.The hour of the Assumption.Virgin and prayed lying on the bed, which was decorated with beautiful fabrics, and around it are many burning candles.Next to her apostles gathered.All were waiting for the same to happen Assumption.
This icon captured this particular troubling hour.Suddenly the candle went out, and the room lit up blinding light.It is Christ himself came down from heaven, accompanied by the Angels and Archangels and many other souls.That is what the icon "Assumption" value.
Maria was delighted when he saw his son safe and sound, and then rose from the bed of him and bowed to the ground.According to ancient tradition, without suffering and pain betrayed Holy Mary his soul into the hands of Jesus and the Lord.Following the divine light in the room came the singing, the gates of heaven opened and took the soul of the Virgin.
About versions of the image and the burial
Each icon "Assumption of the Virgin" made in his style.But the events it reflects the same.Somewhere it portrayed a picture of the dying hours of Mary surrounded by the Apostles.And somewhere on lying on a bed of the Virgin Mary can be seen the light of God and Jesus with angels and archangels.
After the soul of the Virgin ascended into heaven over her body appeared like a large glowing circle crown.Until the burial was accompanied by the range of the body of Mary.
In her last journey escorted dozens of believers, which is not like the Jewish priests and some chiefs.At one point, she ran to the tomb of the Virgin is one such priest, by the name of Athos, and he tried to overturn the body of the Virgin Mary on the ground.For an invisible angel who walked behind the coffin, she cuts off his hands.The priest fell on his knees, repented of their evil intent and begged pardon, and the Apostle Peter healed Athos.Icon "Assumption of the Virgin" in some versions can have an image of the scene.
Further, according to tradition, the Jewish soldiers rushed with weapons at the crowd of people who were carrying the coffin with the body of the Mother of God, but the mysterious circle blocked their way.Buried the Virgin Mary in a cave, the entrance of which is closed with a large stone-boulder.What was the surprise of the faithful when, after three days of relentless prayers they returned to the cave and opened the coffin and the body of Our Lady was not there!Only at the bottom could be seen of her burial shroud.
It's a miracle to mention the fact that the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven with her body.
little about the holiday
On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and her ascension to heaven, shows a lot of churches and monasteries, which was built in honor of this event.And in this majestic and solemn day all the faithful people may feel that the Mother of God with us, and through prayer to her every mother will receive her intercession and intercession.Assumption - the oldest festival which appeared centuries ago.To him the Church of the Assumption is prepared by a special post, which established in ancient times.
