But
even though, according to nature, your most holy and happy soul is
separated from your most blessed and stainless body and the body as
usual is delivered to the tomb, it will not remain in the power of
death and is not subject to decay. For just as her virginity
remained inviolate while giving birth, when she departed her body was
preserved from destruction and only taken to a better and more divine
tabernacle, which is not subject to any death . . . Hence I will call
her holy passing not death, but falling asleep or departure, or
better still, arrival. . . .
Your
stainless and wholly immaculate body has not been left on earth; the
Queen, the Mistress, the Mother of God who has truly given birth to
God has been translated to the royal palaces of heaven. .
--
Saint John Damascene
