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Thomas arrived a few days later, and desiring to see her one more time, convinced the others to open her tomb. Upon doing so, the Apostles discovered that her body was no longer present. This event is seen as a firstfruits of the [[General Resurrection|resurrection of the faithful]] that will occur at the [[Second Coming]] of Christ. The event is normally called the ''Dormition'', though there are many Orthodox parishes in English-speaking countries with the name ''Assumption''. In Greek, ''Dormition'' is ''Koimisis''—falling asleep in death—from which the word ''cemetery'' derives.
As with the [[Nativity of the Theotokos|nativity of the Virgin]] and the feast of her [[Presentation of the Theotokos|entrance to the temple]], there are no biblical or historical sources for this feast. The Orthodox Church teaches that Mary is without personal sins{{fact}}, as well that Mary truly needed to be saved by Christ as all human persons are saved from the trials, sufferings and death of this world. She truly died and was raised up by her Son as the Mother of Life and participates already in the eternal life of paradise. This life of paradise is prepared and promised to all who "hear the word of God and keep it." ([[Luke]] 11:27-28)
The dormition of the mother of the Theotokos, the [[Righteous]] [[Anna]], is celebrated on [[July 25]].