Calendar Suggestions 

making this 14 day fast a part of the liturgical calendar for the entire worldwide Church. Fasting is not only for 

Lent, but for other times of the year as well. All Christians should observe this fast in remembrance of the 

Virgin Mary's death and in preparation for the celebration of the Virgin Mary's Resurrection and Assumption. 

The Resurrection and Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15) 

    The Resurrection of the Virgin Mary re united her soul with her body, so that she could then be assumed 

into Heaven, body and soul. Just as  Christ died, rose from the dead, and ascended to Heaven, so also the 

Virgin Mary died, was resurrected from the dead by Jesus Christ, and was brought up to Heaven by Jesus 

Christ. Unlike her Divine Son Jesus, the Virgin Mary did not remain on earth between her Resurrection and 

her Assumption. Immediately upon being raised from the dead by Christ, she was also brought up to Heaven, 

body and soul, by Christ. Thus the Resurrection and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary occurred at the same 

hour and on the same day. 

    According to Saint Bridget of Sweden, there were 15 days from the death of the Virgin Mary to her 

Resurrection and Assumption (see chapter 10). The Church currently celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin 

Mary on August 15, which is the true date of this event and the correct date for this celebration. The Virgin 

Mary was resurrected from the dead and assumed into Heaven early in the morning, shortly before sunrise, on 

August 15. The Assumption of the Virgin Mary should continue to be celebrated on August 15. However, this 

celebration should also include the clear and authoritative teaching of the Church that the Virgin Mary was 

both resurrected from the dead and assumed into Heaven on this day. 

    No theologian or teacher in the Church should ever assert even the possibility that the Virgin Mary did not 

die, as Christ died, and did not rise, as Christ rose, before being assumed into Heaven. Anyone who speaks or 

writes against the Dormition and Resurrection of the Virgin Mary is speaking or writing  against Truth and 

against Christ. May such persons be ignored by the faithful and rebuked by God. 

The Coronation of the Virgin Mary 

    The Virgin Mary was made Queen of Heaven upon her entrance into Heaven, which is in Eternity. Since 

Eternity is beyond of Time, one cannot say  when  she was crowned Queen of Heaven it happened within 

Eternity and beyond Time. The Catholic Church currently celebrates the Coronation of the Virgin Mary one 

week after the celebration of her Assumption. It is appropriate to place the celebration of Mary's Coronation 

near the celebration of her Assumption, when she entered Heaven body and soul. 

John the Baptist: 

The Annunciation to Zechariah (September 13) 

    In the Orthodox church, Christians celebrate the event described in Luke 1:5 23, when the angel Gabriel 

announced to Zechariah that he and his wife would soon be able to conceive a child, John the Baptist. This 

event is described at some length in Sacred Scripture and was an important preparatory step for the coming of 

the Messiah. Therefore, this event should be celebrated throughout the One Christian Church. 

    According to Saint John Chrysostom, Zechariah was serving in the Temple of Jerusalem at the time of the 

Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles when this annunciation occurred. In chapter 5 of this book, I 

confirm this statement by Saint John Chrysostom and give further evidence that the exact day of the 

annunciation to Zechariah was the Day of Atonement, which fell on September 13 in that year. The 

celebration of the annunciation to Zechariah should be placed on Sept. 13 in the revised liturgical calendar. 

The memorial for Saint John Chrysostom, who is remembered on Sept. 13, can fittingly remain on the same 

day. 

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