“The Dormition is not the end; it is a passage into the fullness of life in Christ,

“the Dormition is not simply a translation to heaven, but a passage from earthly, perishable life to an incorruptible existence

Patriarch Daniel ›

Direct quote

“The Holy Fathers who spoke about the Dormition of the Mother of God did not try to conceal the reality of death. On the contrary, it was precisely in her death that they saw the power of Christ’s Resurrection revealed.

“the Dormition calls every Orthodox Christian to prepare for the passage from earthly life to heavenly life

Patriarch Daniel ›

Reported

“Although the Mother of God was humble throughout her life, she was not absent. Just as the Ascension of the Lord did not mean, and did not remain, an absence from the midst of the Church, so too the passing of the Mother of God from this life into eternity did not result in an absence

“the Dormition is a celebration of hope, consolation, and joy

Archbishop Makarios ›

Archbishop of Australia

Reported

“The Dormition of the Mother of God is also the feast of our hope

“We learn many things from the discreet way in which the Mother of God lived her life, but through her Dormition, the Church teaches us that, although she has departed, she has nevertheless not abandoned us