August 15 marks the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as the feast of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is the oldest and most important feast of the Mother of God in the liturgical year. It celebrates the Catholic Church in the West and Eastern Christianity, which is called the ceremony "Dormition of the Mother of God."
That day in the churches of the saints herbs, and ears of grain and fruit. This tradition dates back to 10th in Poland century, when Christianity began with the celebration of the feast of the Assumption. Crops and flowers brought in that day before the altars are a symbol of spiritual maturity of the Blessed Virgin.
At the ceremony on August 15 to arrive at a number of Marian shrines of pilgrimage. At the Jasna Gora collect thousands of pilgrims from all over the country and, in Calvary Zebrzydowska held productions of the Assumption of Mary and her Assumption.
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary comes from the teachings of the Church which states that Mary is not tainted by original sin, is not dead, but was by Christ's body and soul assumed into heaven. The dogma has been proclaimed on the feast of All Saints, 1 November 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Thus, generally professed belief in the Catholic Church, the pope acknowledged and affirmed the highest authority.
At the earliest, as early as the fifth century, the feast of the Assumption was celebrated in Jerusalem, and from 7 century - in Rome. During the reign of Charlemagne spread throughout the Catholic world. For the Polish arrived with Christianity in the 10th century.
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is known in the Eastern Churches, after the name of the Dormition, or rest, in the West - as a transition or the Assumption. There appears Mary will never die. Our Lady of sleep time is not known. Probably occurred around the 45th year. We do not know well about the place, but the bridge on Cedronie at the foot of the Mount of Olives is a place called the Tomb of Mary.
Many artists, first in Greece, Cappadocia, Egypt, and later in Italy, France and Spain, presented the Assumption of Mary on the colorful icons or illuminations in medieval manuscripts. The best-known mosaic in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome from 12th century and the mosaics in the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. In Poland it is a sculptural composition "sleep" Mother of God by Veit Stoss in Krakow St. Mary's Basilica and the composition "Assumption" placed on the altar of the Basilica of Jasna Gora.
Over the centuries the Church was established in eight orders of the Assumption of Our Lady, seven female and one male law - asumpcjoniści, or Augustinians of the Assumption.
zr. Polish Radio
