Dormition of the Theotokos Protevangelium of James (@150) August 15 Christ stands holding a child which represents the soul of the Virgin Mary. Just as He gave it, he receives it back and will take it to heaven rejoined to her body. The golden doors at the top illustrate heaven opening to receive her. The Lord is dressed in golden garments representing His Divinity and power and is surrounded by a mandorla composed of angels (showing that He is beyond time and space as the Son of God). Mary, who has died, lies on a bier with the symbolic colors of red (here humanity) with her head resting on a blue pillow (representing her spiritual, heavenly life given her by Christ’s grace). Her halo shows the grace that comes from the ‘Kingdom of God within her’ while Christ’s halo has the traditional symbols of the Trinity. The meaning of the lit candle in front of Mary is not precise. I most likely alludes to Christ as the Light of the World and is placed before Mary’s body symbolizing the hope of resurrection (just as candles held in the hand at funerals symbolize belief in eternal life). A candle before an icon serves to illuminate the deeds of the Holy person and shows the faith, gratitude, love and hope of the viewer towards God and his Grace. The buildings set the scene outdoors. St. Peter is on the right censing the body of Mary while St. Paul is on the left bowing to her in honor. Also honoring Mary are the other apostles, women of Jerusalem (where she died) and four bishops of the early Church (James, the brother of the Lord, Timothy, Heirotheus, and Dionysius the Areopagite).