Paradise, where thy Son awaits thy coming.”  Mary, answering, said, “If I have found grace in thy eyes, tell me first what is thy name; and grant that the apostles my brethren may be reunited to me before I die, that in their presence I may give up my soul to God.  Also, I pray thee, that my soul, when delivered from my body, may not be affrighted by any spirit of darkness, nor any evil angel be allowed to have any power over me.”  And the angel said, “Why dost thou ask my name?  My name is the Great and the Wonderful.  And now doubt not that all the apostles shall be reunited, to thee this day; for he who in former times transported the prophet Habakkuk from Judea to Jerusalem by the hair of his head, can as easily bring hither the apostles.  And fear thou not the evil spirit, for hast thou not bruised his head and destroyed his kingdom?” And having said these words, the angel departed into heaven; and the palm branch which he had left behind him shed light from every leaf, and sparkled as the stars of the morning.  Then Mary lighted, the lamps and prepared her bed, and waited until the hour was come.  And in the same instant John, who was preaching at Ephesus, and Peter, who was preaching at Antioch, and all the other apostles who were dispersed in different parts of the world, were suddenly caught up as by a miraculous power, and found themselves before the door of the habitation of Mary.  When Mary saw them all assembled round her, she blessed and thanked the Lord, and she placed in the hands of St. John the shining palm, and desired that he should bear it before her at the time of her burial.  Then Mary, kneeling down, made her prayer to the Lord her Son, and the others prayed with her; then she laid herself down in her bed and composed herself for death.  And John wept bitterly.  And about the third hour of the night, as Peter stood at the head of the bed and John at the foot, and the other apostles around, a mighty sound filled the house, and a delicious perfume filled the chamber.  And Jesus himself appeared accompanied by an innumerable company of angels, patriarchs, and prophets; all these surrounded the bed of the Virgin, singing hymns of joy.  And Jesus said to his Mother, “Arise, my beloved, mine elect! come with me from Lebanon, my espoused! receive the crown that is destined for thee!” And Mary, answering, said, “My heart is ready; for it was written of me that I should do thy will!” Then all the angels and blessed spirits who accompanied Jesus began to sing and rejoice.  And the soul of Mary left her body, and was received into the arms of her Son; and together they ascended into heaven.[1] And the apostles looked up, saying, “Oh most prudent Virgin, remember us when thou comest to glory!” and the angels, who received her into heaven, sung these words, “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her Beloved? she is fairer than all the daughters of Jerusalem.”

[Footnote 1:  In the later French legend, it is the angel Michael who takes charge of the departing soul. “Ecce Dominus venit cum multitudine angelorum; et Jesus Christ vint en grande compaignie d’anges; entre lesquels estoit Sainct Michel, et quand la Vierge Marie le veit elle dit, ’Benoist soit Jesus Christ car il ne m’a pas oubliee.’  Quand elle eut ce dit elle rendit l’esprit, lequel Sainct Michel print.”]