A religious procession in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God was held in Vitebsk
Parishioners of the St. George Church and other Vitebsk churches of the regional center walked from Chernyakhovsky Avenue across Victory Square along Lenin Street, then across Freedom Square along Suvorov Street, turned onto Krylov Street, and approached the Assumption Cathedral.
More and more participants joined the procession along the way. At the walls of Vitebsk's main Orthodox church, Archbishop Dmitry of Vitebsk and Orsha, accompanied by clergy, performed a festive prayer service. The service was attended by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin, the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentyev, the First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Anatoly Linevich, and representatives of the regional and city executive committees.
Alexander Subbotin congratulated the parishioners and clergy on the bright holiday.
– Today we have another opportunity to thank our intercessor, the Theotokos, for her help and advice. I wish everyone all the best, may all your plans turn out successfully, and may only good and the brightest things accompany you in life, – the head of the region addressed the gathered.
Archbishop Dmitry presented Alexander Subbotin with an icon of the Mother of God as a gift.
The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is one of the twelve major holidays in the Russian Orthodox Church, established in memory of the passing of the Mother of God. Believers consider this holiday the second Easter, commemorating the miraculous ascension of the Theotokos on this day.
It was believed among the people that the Dormition marked the end of the summer harvest. It was customary to go to church and consecrate bread. Engagements could be made from this day on, with weddings to be held in the autumn. It was also believed that the early Indian summer began on August 28. According to omens, the weather on the Dormition would be the same as in the autumn. Good weather promised a warm winter and a fruitful year.
A general joy was felt among the pilgrims, including many young people and children. People brought flowers to the icon of the Theotokos with faith and hope.
"Vitebskiye Vesti"