the dormition of the mother of god is a great feast of the eastern orthodox, oriental orthodox and eastern catholic churches which commemorates the "falling asleep" or death of mary the "theotokos" ("mother of god", literally translated as "god-bearer"), and her bodily resurrection before being taken up into heaven. it is celebrated on 15 august (28 august n.s. for those following the julian calendar) as the feast of the dormition of the mother of god. the armenian apostolic church celebrates the dormition not on a fixed date, but on the sunday nearest 15 august.