Mother of God of Leusë

Marian Advocation of Leusë (Përmet) (South)

La advocación de Mother of God of Leusë corresponds to the veneration of the Sleep of the Virgin in the Orthodox church of Leusë, near Përmet, in the south of Albania; it is not a Latin Catholic advocation, but a cult of the field orthodox. The expression "Mother of God" refers to the traditional title of the Theotokos in the Eastern piety, and the Sleeping celebrates the passage of Mary from this life to the glory of God, according to the Orthodox liturgical tradition.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Mother of God of Leusë corresponds to the veneration of the Sleep of the Virgin in the Orthodox church of Leusë, near Përmet, in the south of Albania; it is not a Latin Catholic advocation, but a cult of the field orthodox. The expression "Mother of God" refers to the traditional title of the Theotokos in the Eastern piety, and the Sleeping celebrates the passage of Mary from this life to the glory of God, according to the Orthodox liturgical tradition.

As for the documented historythe temple of Leusë is a building of 18th century, famous for its fresh. During the Albanian communist period he suffered damage, and later restored; this process has been pointed out by the divulgative bibliography and by heritage references, which present it as a jewel of the orthodox Marian devotion of southern Albania.

In the sources consulted, there is no miraculous foundation, Marian apparition or specific legendary account linked to this local advocation; therefore, it is wise to speak of a historical and liturgical devotion rooted in the Albanian Orthodox tradition.

The image and the sanctuary

The advocation is venerated in the Leusë Orthodox iglesia, dedicada a la Sleep of the Virgin. The available sources highlight the temple and its wall decoration, especially fresh, more than a singular sculptural or pictorial image; therefore, no con seguridad a detailed description of a specific image of veneration, its material or author.

The sanctuary is known for its artistic and historical interest as the church of 18th centurywith a mural painting of great value, and for having been restored after the damage suffered in the communist stage. It is not established that it has the official level of minor basilica, National sanctuary o diocesan sanctuary; the sources consulted present it simply as the historical Orthodox church of Leusë.

Sponsorship and coronation

No consta un Official patronage documented about city, municipality, diocese or nation for this specific advocation in the revised sources.

It also does not contain a documented canonical coronation; therefore: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

The main party corresponds to the Sleep of the Virginin the Orthodox tradition of August 15 according to the liturgical calendar commonly followed by the Orthodox Churches.

The sources consulted underline the value of the temple as a place of Marian devotion and as a heritage reference of the southern Albanian, but no constan reliable data on mass pilgrimages, influx figures or specific popular traditions linked exclusively to Leusë.

Link to the Rosary

There is no historical and direct relationship between this Orthodox advocation of Leusë and the prayer of the Rosary in the Latin Catholic sense.

However, from a general Marian perspective, the Rosary looks at the mysteries of Christ with Mary and allows to honor the Mother of God in its role as a disciple and witness to the glory of the Son; therefore, even without a specific devotional bond documented in Leusë, the Rosary can serve as a contemplative prayer compatible with the Catholic reverence towards the Theotokos and with respect for this Eastern tradition.