suffering on earth for the sake of our redemption, they are now united in
glory for the sake of our salvation.
The Fathers
St. Epiphanius of Salamis, Panacea Against all Heresies 78, 23 (inter
374-377 AD)
“If the holy Virgin is dead and has been buried, surely her dormition
happened with great honor: her end was most pure and crowned by
virginity. If she was slain, according to what is written: ‘a sword shall
pierce your soul,’ then she obtained glory together with the martyrs, and
her holy body, from which light shone forth for all the world, dwells among
those who enjoy the repose of the blessed. Or she continued to live. For, to
God, it is not impossible to do whatever He wills; on the other hand, no one
knows exactly what her end was.”
St. Jerome, Commentary on the Psalms Ps. 44 (ante 420 AD)
“(‘The Queen stood on the right hand in gilded clothing, surrounded with
variety’). We read how the angels have come to the death and burial of
some of the saints, and how they have accompanied the souls of the elect to
heaven with hymns and praises. How much more should we believe that
the heavenly army, with all its bands, came forth rejoicing in festal array, to
meet the Mother of God, surrounded with her effulgent light, and led her
with praises and canticles to the throne prepared for her from the beginning
of the world.”
St. Gregory of Tours, Eight Books of Miracles 1, 4 (inter 575-593
AD)
“And behold, the Lord Jesus came with his angels and, taking her soul,
handed it over to the archangel Michael and withdrew. At dawn, the
apostles lifted up her body on a pallet, laid it in a tomb, and kept watch
over it, awaiting the coming of the Lord. And behold, again the Lord
presented himself to them and ordered that her holy body be taken and
carried up to heaven. There she is now, joined once more to her soul; she
exults with the elect, rejoicing in the eternal blessings that will have no
end.”
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