The Dormition Feast and Geopolitics
Mary has not forsaken the world
[Photo by author, icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Chora church, Constantinople, 14th c.]
Mary’s entire life was one of struggle. After hearing the word of God and keeping it, Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God (see Lk. 2:26-38). She had to give birth in the manger of a cave. She had to take refuge in Egypt to escape the jealous wrath of Herod (Mt. 2:14). She watched her son speak boldly and truthfully everywhere he went, often provoking accusations of blasphemy and apostasy from the religious elite.
Mary endured to the end - not just to Jesus’ crucifixion, but beyond it, to his resurrection, ascension, and the first wobbly steps of the Church he created. She kept the company of the apostles until it was her time to die.
Jesus bore his mother to paradise. She did not forsake the world. The world she left was one of imperialism, slavery, the consummate one-upmanship, the powerful exploiting the weak, smaller nations at the mercy of the strong. Many of Mary’s own hoped for the emergence of a leader who would overcome imperial power and renew God’s chosen people and holy nation.
The apostolic church received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and bore witness to Christ (Acts 2). The apostles assembled daily, praying, constantly giving alms to the poor and needy, sharing all of their possessions with one another. They devoted their energy to adopting the mind of Christ and pursuing righteousness with the people in their midst. Creating a community that pours itself out for the sake of the widow and orphan, that welcomes migrants and assists strangers, that practices and preaches forgiving seventy times seven - this was the manifestation of the reign of God in our midst.
Christians do not seek greatness. Greatness is not a virtue or mark of belonging to the kingdom of God. Christians pursue holiness, and there is only one source of holiness - Jesus Christ. All other allegiances are subordinate to being a companion of Christ and pursuing God’s kingdom. These include one’s duties to their spouse, their families, and their nation.
God has inaugurated his eternal reign in Christ’s victory over sin and death. There will be no empire, kingdom, or nation of this world that can achieve anything to overthrow God’s reign. No single people can make an exclusive claim to being God’s chosen people.
Nations and empires have and will continue to use violence and manipulate history to claim that they are God’s chosen people. The hymns composed and sung in Mary’s honor make this request of her, that she would protect God’s people and deliver them from their adversaries. The Romans, Venetians, and Byzantines carried Mary’s icon into battle and claimed that she was responsible for defeating their enemies. Religious and political leaders make similar public gestures to this day, handing over icons of Mary to military personnel and instructing them to pray that she would assist them in eliminating their enemies.
Christian empires, old and new, have exploited Mary to inspire their people to arm themselves and crush their enemies. This exploitation was demonic then and remains so now.
Some Christians bore witness to the face of Mary presented by the evangelists. Mary providing comfort to people who lose limbs in missile and drone strikes. Mary accompanying those fleeing from violence and seeking refuge in a safer place. Mary praying for the strength of humanitarian workers who put their own lives at risk to clothe the naked, provide clean water and food for the starving, to educate children whose schools have been blown to smithereens.
The Cherubim, Seraphim, Thrones, Principalities, Dominions, Powers, archangels and angels escorted Mary to heaven at her Dormition. They rejoiced at her arrival and enthroned her as queen.
The Queen has not forsaken the world - a world that remains very much the same as the one of her time.
The Queen of Heaven has descended into the midst of her people. She suffers with them. She prays for them. She reminds them that the “One [who] is holy,” the sun of righteousness, has not abandoned them and hears their cause.
Most Holy Theotokos, Mary, Mother of God, and our Mother - we honor your falling asleep on this most solemn and sacred day of your Dormition. Do not abandon your people. Pray to the Lord our God that he would grant strength to his chosen people and holy nation, to deliver us from the false idols of power and wealth, of fame and worldly glory, that we would hear his word and keep it, as you have taught us.