According to the belief of most Christians -- especially Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox worshipers -- the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was the bodily taking up of her into Heaven at the end of her life. Christians celebrate this spiritual phenomenon on August 15 each year.
The Catholic Church teaches that Mary -- having completed the course of her earthly life -- was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. In the Orthodox Church, this belief is known as the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
Mary's acceptance into Heaven is seen by Christians as the symbol of the promise made by Jesus to all enduring Christians that they too will be received into Heaven.
The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the Dormition of the Theotokos -- that is, the falling asleep of the Mother of God -- on August 15 each year, preceded by a 15-day fast period.
Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that Mary died a natural death, that her soul was received by Christ upon her death, that her body was resurrected on the third day after her death, and that she was taken up into heaven bodily in anticipation of the general resurrection. As was the case with her Son, Jesus, Mary's tomb was found empty on the third day.
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