Monday is Dormition of the Holy Mother of God, one of the greatest Christian Eastern Orthodox holidays, which brings together many believers.

Known to Catholics and Anglicans as Assumption of Mary, the holiday marks the day the mother of Christ passed away and was accepted in Heaven.

It is a holiday of happiness and joy, for it was the day that the mother of Christ rejoined him in eternal glory.

For Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics alike, Mary's Assumption is seen as a concrete and present instance of the resurrection of the body, a belief integral to Christian theology and found in the creeds.

In Bulgaria the day is also the name day of persons bearing the widespread name Maria, and cognates like Mario, Mariana.

Many people will flock to churches for the traditional Dormition of the Holy Mother of God services.

The famous Troyan Monastery, which bears the name of the day, has its temple holiday Monnday, and a lot of people are expected this year, as usual. Crowds are also expected for the service at Rila Monastery south of Sofia in the Rila mountain.

The day is also the official holiday of second-biggest Bulgarian city Varna, whose main cathedral bears the name of the Dormition.

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