Feast of the Dormition (Shoonoyo) & Assumption of the Virgin Mary
On the 15th of August of every year the Church celebrates the feast of the Dormition (Shoonoyo) and Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. On this day we also celebrate her feast for the blessing of the Vineyards. This feast is preceded by a period of fasting from 1-15 August. However, the Church being a caring mother, has permitted the faithful to observe only 5 days of fasting, from 10-15 of August. During these days faithful are asked to abstain from eating all foods which contain meat, eggs or dairy product. Only seafood is allowed.
The following is an excerpt from an essay on the Virgin Mary by His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakk I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. The entire text is posted in the library section of this website.
