Dormition of the Theotokos

Dormition of the Theotokos Feast Day and Greek Name Day

The Dormition of the Theotokos is honored in the Orthodox Christian Church as the feast commemorating the falling asleep of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. This great feast is celebrated on August 15, and on this day people named Maria, Mary, Maro, Marios, Mario, Mariori, Marika, Maroula, Maritsa, Margiori, Marigoula, Manio, Marietta, Marousa, Marsia, Marcy, Margeta, Margetina, Mariniki, Mireille, Mirella, Myrella, Panayotis, Panagiotis, Panos, Panikos, Panagiota, Panayiota, Pota, Pani, Tota, Toula, Yiota, Giota, Gioti, Peter, Despoina, Deppy, Pipina, Despo, Pepi, Zepo, Elona, Gesthimani, Iesthimani, Gethsimani, Heliostalakti, Katholiki, Catholic, Kristalo, Kristalia, Crystal, Krysta, Krista, Presvia, Simela, Symela, Soymela, Soumela, Theotokia, and Theotokea, among other variations, celebrate their Greek name day.

Meaning of the Dormition

The word Dormition means falling asleep. In Orthodox Christian tradition, this term is used to describe the peaceful death of the Virgin Mary, known in Greek as the Theotokos, meaning “God-bearer.”

According to Church tradition, after completing her earthly life, the Mother of God fell asleep in the Lord and was taken into heavenly glory.

The Final Days of the Theotokos

Tradition teaches that before her Dormition, the Apostles were miraculously gathered in Jerusalem to be present during her final days. They honored her and prayed together as she peacefully departed from this life.

After her burial, it is believed that her tomb was later found empty, a sign that she had been taken into heaven.

One of the Great Feasts of the Church

The Dormition of the Theotokos is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Christian Church and is among the most important celebrations dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The feast is preceded by the Dormition Fast, a two week period of prayer and fasting from August 1 to August 14.

Greek Name Day for the Dormition of the Theotokos

Because the Dormition of the Theotokos is commemorated on August 15, this date is also the Greek name day for:

Maria

Mary

Maro

Marios

Mario

Mariori

Marika

Maroula

Maritsa

Margiori

Marigoula

Manio

Marietta

Marousa

Marsia

Marcy

Margeta

Margetina

Mariniki

Mireille

Mirella

Myrella

Panayotis

Panagiotis

Panos

Panikos

Panagiota

Panayiota

Pota

Pani

Tota

Toula

Yiota

Giota

Gioti

Peter

Despoina

Deppy

Pipina

Despo

Pepi

Zepo

Elona

Gesthimani

Iesthimani

Gethsimani

Heliostalakti

Katholiki

Catholic

Kristalo

Kristalia

Crystal

Krysta

Krista

Presvia

Simela

Symela

Soymela

Soumela

Theotokia

Theotokea

In Greek culture, celebrating a name day is often just as important as celebrating a birthday. Friends and family commonly offer well wishes or visits to honor the person whose name is being celebrated.

When the Dormition of the Theotokos Is Celebrated

The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is observed each year on August 15 in the Greek Orthodox Church. The day commemorates the falling asleep of the Mother of God and her honored place in the life of the Church.