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Which feast days honor Mary in Roman Catholic and Eastern Christian traditions?
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Mary
Madonna and Child, oil and tempera on panel by Antonello da Messina, 1475; in the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Several feast days honor Mary in both Roman Catholic and Eastern Christian traditions, though the theological emphasis and terminology can vary between them.123
Key feast days include:
- Feast of the Annunciation: Celebrated on March 25.1
- Assumption / Dormition: Celebrated on August 15. While Roman Catholics observe this as the Assumption, Eastern Christians often commemorate it as the Dormition (or "falling asleep") of Mary.12
- Presentation of the Virgin Mary: Celebrated on November 21 in both Roman Catholic and Eastern churches.3
Additionally, the Roman Catholic Church observes specific feasts that are not universally shared as dogma in the same way by Eastern traditions:
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: Observed on January 1.1
- Immaculate Conception: Observed on December 8.14
These celebrations reflect the deep devotion to Mary within these traditions, marking significant events in her life and her role in Christian theology.123