39- THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
		
		The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is 
		celebrated on August 15. Through her womb, heaven and 
		earth were joined together . Through her, all man kind 
		has been reborn. Her death and burial show us the 
		completion of God's plan for all mankind. The Feast 
		celebrates the Mother of God as the Mother of Life. 
		
		
		In powerful imagery and poetic verse, the Matin Hymns 
		of the Feast relate this mystery: 
		
		
		At the all-powerful command, the assembly of the 
		Apostles from the ends of the earth, and the mulitude 
		of Angels from on high made haste to Zion, there to 
		minister in fitting manner at your burial, O Lady. 
		
		The gates of heaven were opened wide and the Angels 
		sang as Christ received the virgin-treasure of His 
		own Mother. Cherubim withdrew before you in your 
		exultation while Seraphim glorified you in your joy.
		 
		
		We remember the death and burial of the Mother of God, 
		and we celebrate her resurrection and ascension. 
		
		The Icon of the Dormition represents the Virgin lying on 
		her deathbed, surrourlded by the Apostles, with Christ 
		in glory receiving her soul into His arms. All hints of 
		black sorrow are overcome by a certain colorful sobriety. 
		This mood is explained in the words of the Kontakion of 
		the Feast: 
		
		
		The grave and death did not detain the Mother of God who 
		prays perpetually, and is our unfailing hope in her 
		intercession, for He Who dwelt in the womb of the Ever-
		virgin transferred to life the Mother of Life.
		
		
		We behold in this Icon the "Mother of Life" being 
		transferred to life by her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. 
		Since she is the Mother of God, it was right that He Who 
		dwelt in the womb of the Ever-virgin should take her to 
		Himself in her falling asleep. The Apostles are painted 
		surrounding the Mother of God. Behind them is the figure 
		of Christ. He holds in His left arm a small child clothed 
		in white garments and crowned with a halo. This is the 
		luminous soul of Mary which He receives at the moment of 
		death. The multitude of Angels present at the Dormition 
		forms an outer border around Christ. Also present are the 
		six-winged Seraphim. The Icon of the Dormition gives us 
		a picture of Christian death. We find our salvation in 
		Jesus Christ Who raises to life all who believe in Him. 
		
		
		TROPARION -O Mother of God, in giving birth you still 
		preserved virginity, and in your falling asleep you did 
		not forsake the world. You who are the Mother of Life 
		have been transformed to life, and through your prayers 
		have delivered our souls from death.

		I give no thing power over me
		
		
		Many of us believe that unless we are struggling, we are not 
		doing it right. We struggle with thoughts, feelings, even 
		other people. We struggle with money problems, family problems 
		and personal problems. Many of us have said, "I am tired of 
		struggling!" Well, guess what? When you make the decision to 
		stop struggling, you will stop. When you stop struggling, 
		things get better. Struggle goes against the flow. It creates 
		exhaustion in the mind and body. When you are exhausted you 
		get sick. If you are sick, you must make a decision and 
		commitment to do everything in your power to get better. The 
		power is in the commitment never to do what makes you sick. 
		The key is the decision never to tire of doing what is best, 
		good and right for you.
		
		
		I am sick and tired of being sick and tired
		

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