August 15, 2021 - Fr. Thomas Hopko wrote, “In the Orthodox Church the Virgin Mary is the image of those who are being saved. If Jesus Christ is the Savior, Mary is the image of the saved.” When we look upon the Blessed Virgin, we see ourselves; we see the Church. This is true regarding the event of the Blessed Virgin's falling asleep and her translation into Paradise by her Son. As we look at this today, we have placed before us the great and very real hope of every Christian; that is, those who remain in Christ will be resurrected on the last day to dwell with Him and one another for eternity.