Liturgical Traditions
Within the Eastern Orthodox tradition, prayers devoted to Mary are very common. She is remembered at the end of the various cycles of intercessions, hymns, and dismissal prayers. For example, most litanies end with the priest remembering the three great titles associated with the Virgin Mary as well as her place among the saints. He prays: “Calling to remembrance our all-holy, most-pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole lives unto Christ our God.”
According to the late Eastern Orthodox theologian, Father Alexander Schmemann, a mention of the Virgin Mary offers the final note of Eastern Orthodox prayers. “This pattern applies to all liturgical units: the daily, weekly, and yearly cycles … Whatever the theme of any particular celebration, its last word, its seal, will always be the Theotokos.”
factum
The belief that Mary ascended directly to heaven has been enforced by the fact that no relics have ever been found from the Virgin Mary's body. The relics associated with her are linked to her clothing and breast milk. Unlike other saints who have left behind their bones and bodies, there is no physical evidence of the Virgin Mary's body.
