On Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of August, the faithful of Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL celebrated the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The Dormition of the Mother of God is one of the most beloved feast days among Orthodox monasteries in Rus’. Indeed, more monasteries and churches are likely dedicated to the Dormition than to any other feast. For the Pochaev Lavra, this is a special feast, in that the monastery’s  main church in dedicated to the feast. Our Lady of Pochaev Church also triumphally celebrated this feast of the Theotokos.

On Saturday, the All-Night Vigil was served with the litia and singing (by all) of an akathist to the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

On the very day of the feast, in keeping with established tradition, an akathist to the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God was served, followed by Divine Liturgy. Celebrating Liturgy was parish rector Archimandrite Stefan (Hilchuk), co-served by Hieromonk Arkadii (Polishchuk; parish cleric) and Priest Artemy Makartetsky (cleric of the Diocese of Chernigov).

After Liturgy, a festal luncheon was served.

On Sunday evening, All-Night Vigil was served, including the Burial Rite of the Most Holy Theotokos. This rite is ancient in origin, and in its structure resembles the service of Great Saturday, with the Burial Rite of the Savior. The verses of the 17th Kathisma are sung by the kliros, between which the priest reads deep and profound words, which in their poetic form reveal the full meaning and mystery of the person of the Most Holy Theotokos and her most glorious Dormition to the Jerusalem on High.

Upon completion of the service, Fr. Arkadii addressed parishioners with an edifying sermon.