Art Celebrates The Assumption of Mary

Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, at the Council of Chalcedon (451), made known to the Emperor Marcian and Pulcheria, who wished to possess the body of the Mother of God, that Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles, but that her tomb, when opened upon the request of St. Thomas, was found empty; where from the Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven.

The assumptio- John Collier (painter) (1850–1934) — The assumption- John Collier (painter) (1850–1934)

“Therefore the Virgin is immortal to this day, seeing that he who had dwelt in her transported her to the regions of her assumption”

(Timothy of JerusalemHomily on Simeon and Anna; 400 AD).

DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS Assumption Orthodox Icon (Metallograph, …

21b80c23bc0a2e1faf689688e9ec3576 — Catholic artist Michael O’Brien

“And from that time forth all knew that the spotless and precious body had been transferred to paradise”

(John the Theologian, The Falling Asleep of Mary; 400 AD)

If therefore it might come to pass before the power of your grace, it has appeared right to us your servants that, as you, having overcome death does reign in glory, so you should raise up the body of your mother and take her with you, rejoicing into heaven. Then said the Savior [Jesus]: ‘Be it done according to your will”

(Pseudo-Melito The Passing of the Virgin 16:2-17; 300 AD).

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chartres Cathedral, France

The Assumption of Mary by Tim Langenderfer

“Therefore the Virgin is immortal to this day, seeing that he who had dwelt in her transported her to the regions of her assumption”

(Timothy of JerusalemHomily on Simeon and Anna; 400 AD).

“And from that time forth all knew that the spotless and precious body had been transferred to paradise”

(John the Theologian, The Falling Asleep of Mary; 400 AD)

“It was fitting…that the most holy body of Mary, God-bearing body, receptacle of God, divinized, incorruptible, illuminated by divine grace and full glory…should be entrusted to the earth for a little while and raised up to heaven in glory, with her soul pleasing to God.”

(Theotokos of Livias, Homily on the Assumption; before 650 A.D.)

on Resucito Aleluya - — on Resucito Aleluya –

Egid Quirin Asam, Assumption of the Virgin (detail) 1717/ 1725 Marble and stucco Pilgrimage-church, Rohr, Bavaria

“The Apostles took up her body on a bier and placed it in a tomb; and they guarded it, expecting the Lord to come. And behold, again the Lord stood by them; and the holy body having been received, He commanded that it be taken in a cloud into paradise: where now, rejoined to the soul, [Mary] rejoices with the Lord’s chosen

ones…

“ (Gregory of Tours, Eight Books of Miracles, 1:4; 575-593 A.D.)

The early Christians were very careful to keep the relics of saints and martyrs, even if it involved great risk (like trying to retrieve the remains of those who were eaten by lions). They did this out of great reverence for the body as a member of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit

(see I Corinthians 6:15, 19).

Early Christian Witness

Mural of the Assumption of Mary.(at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

That early Christian believed in Mary’s Assumption is proven in the lack of her relics, empty tombs, the existence of Transitus Mariae stories, and quotes from early Christians.

In Revelations 12:1, right after his vision of the ark of the covenant in heaven (11:19), St. John sees a great Woman: the New Eve, the Virgin Mary, Image and Model of the Church. This verse strongly insinuates the Assumption of Mary.