Uspenie

Uspenie is a term with roots in Slavic languages, most commonly referring to the Dormition or Falling Asleep of the Mother of God. This event is a significant feast day in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and some Eastern Catholic Churches. The term "Uspenie" itself directly translates to "falling asleep" or "dormition," emphasizing a peaceful transition rather than death. The theological understanding is that Mary, the mother of Jesus, did not experience the corruption of death but was instead taken up, body and soul, into heaven. This belief is distinct from the Assumption of Mary in Western Christianity, though the two concepts are closely related. The Feast of the Dormition is celebrated on August 15th according to the Julian calendar, which corresponds to August 28th on the Gregorian calendar. Churches dedicated to this event are often called Uspensky Cathedrals or churches of the Dormition. The iconography associated with Uspenie typically depicts Mary lying peacefully, surrounded by apostles, with Christ holding her soul depicted as a swaddled infant. The period leading up to the feast is often marked by a strict fast.