Canon for the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A significant part of the literary heritage of St. John of Damascus is composed of liturgical poetry. In particular, he is one of the creators of the canon genre. “Canon for the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary” (9 songs) is a solemn chant glorifying the blessed transmigration of the Virgin Mary from earthly life to heavenly abodes. It expresses in poetic form the teaching of the Church about the Virgin Mary, Her place in the economy of salvation and Her eternal glory. The Canon affirms the role of the Mother of God as the unchanging Intercessor and Intercessor for the human race. Irmos and troparia call the whole world to rejoice on the occasion of the “sacred repose” of the Mother of God. The death of the Mother of God is not sadness, but a transition to endless joy. The Mother of God, who gave birth to Life, could not be restrained by death, which indicates Her special grace and unity with Her Son. Her Dormition is presented not as the end, but as a transition to a higher, immortal life, which is the guarantee of the general resurrection and victory over death for all believers. Although the canon does not directly use the term "ascension", it clearly refers to the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. She “represents herself in the Heavenly village”, “to the Divine Life”, “the Queen moves to the Son, reigning with Him.” Christ Himself “received Your all-sacred spirit and rested it in Himself, like a son repaying a debt.” Irmos. I will open my mouth and it will be filled with the (Holy) Spirit; I will speak a word to the Queen Mother; I will appear brightly triumphant and in joy I will sing of her Dormition. Young virgins, now sing a funeral hymn with the prophetess Mariamne: for the only Virgin and Mother of God is presented to the heavenly village (Ex. 15:20). The heavenly divine abodes worthily received you, like the animated heaven, the Most Pure One, and you, in a bright adornment, like an immaculate bride, appeared to the King and God (Ps. 44:9). Irmos. Mother of God, living and never-failing source! Strengthen your singers, who made up the spiritual celebration on (the day of) your divine memory, and honor (them) with crowns of glory. Having come from the loins of mortals, Pure, you also had an end in accordance with nature: but (as) having given birth to true Life, you moved to Divine and Hypostatic Life (John 14:6). A host of theologians (Apostles) from the ends (of the earth), and many Angels from on high flocked to Zion at the behest of the Almighty, to serve worthily at your burial, Lady (Isa. 30:19). Irmos. Contemplating God's unsearchable advice about your, O Most High, incarnation from the Virgin, the prophet Habakkuk exclaimed: glory to your power, Lord. It was marvelous to see that the animated heaven of the Almighty descended into the bowels of the earth; how wonderful are Your works! - Glory to Your power, O Lord! (Ps. 103:19, 139:14). If her incomprehensible Fruit, for Whom she became heaven, voluntarily underwent burial, like a mortal; then will the celibate One who gave birth reject burial? (Luke 1:42). At your repose, Mother of God, the angelic hosts with fear and joy covered your most spacious body that contained God with their most sacred wings (Ps. 90:11). Irmos. Everything was amazed at your honest dormition: for you, the Virgin who did not know marriage, reposed from the earth into the eternal abode and endless life, granting salvation to all who sing your praises. Let the trumpets of theologians sound in this day, and let the long-winded tongue of men proclaim this day; let the air resound, illuminated with immeasurable light, and let the Angels sing of the Dormition of the Virgin (Ps. 80:4). You were worthy to sing, O Virgin, (St. Hierotheus) chosen vessel; being completely in amazement, delighted, and completely sanctified by God, he was visible to everyone and was truly inspired by God, glorious Mother of God! (Thu-Min.) Irmos. As we celebrate this divine and all-honorable celebration of the Mother of God, come, God-wise, let us clasp our hands and glorify the God born of Her. Life shone from You, without resolving the keys of virginity: how did Your most pure and life-giving body become involved in death? (John 14:2; Ezek. 44:2). Having become the church of Life, You were granted immortal life: for through death You came to life, (as) giving birth to hypostatic Life (John 11:25, 14:6). Irmos. The God-wise (youths) did not serve the creature instead of the Creator, but courageously despising the threat of fire, they sang in joy: Blessed are You, glorified Lord and God of the fathers. Young men and maidens, elders and princes, and kings with judges, honoring the memory of the Virgin and Mother of God, sing: blessed are You, Lord and God of the fathers (Ps. 149:11-12). Let the heavenly mountains sound the trumpet of the Spirit; May the hills now rejoice, and may the divine Apostles rejoice: the Queen moves to the Son to reign with Him (Ps. 149:9). The most sacred repose of Your divine and incorruptible Mother gathered the heavenly ranks of the highest powers - to rejoice together with those who sing to You on earth: blessed are You, O God (Luke 15:10). Irmos. The pious youths in the cave were preserved by the Nativity of the Mother of God; being then formed, and now actual, it prompts the whole universe to sing: sing praises to the Lord of creation and exalt them to all ages. Your memory, most pure Virgin, is glorified by the Principalities, Powers and Powers, Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Cherubim and terrible Seraphim, and (with them) we, the human race, sing and extol forever (Luke 1:48). Having miraculously taken possession of Your most pure womb during the incarnation, Mother of God, He Himself accepted Your most sacred spirit and rested within Himself, like an obligated son; Therefore, we praise and exalt You, Virgin, to all ages (Col. 3:3–4). Oh, how incomprehensible are the miracles of the Ever-Virgin and the Mother of God! Having moved into the tomb, she made (it) a paradise; Standing before him now, we sing in joy: sing praises to the Lord of creation and exalt him to all ages. Irmos. Let every earth-born rejoice, being spiritually enlightened, let the nature of disembodied minds triumph, honoring the sacred repose of the Mother of God, and let him exclaim: Rejoice, all-blessed, pure Mother of God, Ever-Virgin! Come, let us rejoice, contemplating the Mother of God in Zion, on this divine and fattened mountain of the living God; for Christ takes her, like his mother, into a much better and more divine dwelling, into the Holy of Holies (Ps. 67:16; Heb. 9:11). Come, faithful ones, let us approach the tomb of the Mother of God and embrace (it) sincerely, touching with our hearts, lips, eyes and faces, and we will draw abundant gifts of healing flowing from an inexhaustible source. Receive from us a funeral hymn, Mother of the living God, and autumn (us) with Your luminous and divine grace, giving peace to the King of victory, peace to the Christ-loving people, and remission (of sins) and spiritual salvation to those who sing (You). You might be interested in: