The ancient churches of northeast Africa commemorate the Dormition of St. Mary (her death, "falling asleep") on 21 Tobi (January 29) and -- since the 500s -- her Assumption into heaven several months later. The Coptic Synaxarion relates the tradition that St. Thomas missed Mary's burial but later saw angels carrying her body to heaven. He told the other apostles, who discovered that her tomb was empty. "The Lord had promised his pure apostles that they would see her in flesh another time. They were waiting for the fulfillment of this truthful promise, until the 16th day of the month of Mesori, when the promise of seeing her was fulfilled. They saw her sitting on the right hand of her Son and her Lord, surrounded by the angelic Host." The Coptic feast of the Virgin on 16 Mesori (August 22), commemorating this apparition to the apostles, is preceded by a period of abstinence from meat starting on 1 Mesori (August 7) in imitation of the apostles' having fasted and prayed that they might see the risen Mother of God. In practice, churches in the north African Orthodox tradition often celebrate 16 Mesori as the feast of St. Mary's Assumption (although some sources list that feast separately on 21 Paoni, June 28, and some list August 22 as the Dormition, as in other Orthodox traditions). (Information from "Virgin Mary," Canadian Coptic Centre, www.cccnet.ca/Saints_Stories/VirginMary.htm; and other sources.)   

Church mural, possibly illustrating the vision of St. Mary and Christ with angels in heaven, from "Ethiopia, its Art and Icons," Betsy Porter Art and Iconography, www.betsyporter.com.