J.R.R. Tolkien's Theology of Trees
+ The Holy Theotokos' (Mary) Dormition & Assumption into Heavenly Paradise
J.R.R. Tolkien once said, “I am (obviously) much in love with plants and above all trees, and always have been; and I find human maltreatment of them as hard to bear as some find ill-treatment of animals.” In another letter, he writes, “In all my works I take the part of trees as against all their enemies. Lothlórien is beautiful because there the trees were loved.”
Dear Barrel Aged Christians,
You will recall that last fall, I wrote a post on J.R.R. Tolkien’s love and theology of trees. I finally made a video about it along with additional comments from the saints and church fathers so enjoy! One quote really stood out to me:
“Men will become poor because they will not have a love for trees….”1
- St. Nikephoros of Chios
For Tolkien, the tree is a sign of paradise lost and a hope for paradise to return. There are even hidden places where paradise partially remains such as Lothlórien. As I stated in the video, the imagery of a tree is closely connected to the gift of divine life in Scripture and the fathers which originally comes through the Tree of Life in Eden and then the Tree of Calvary (the Cross). But it doesn’t stop there! The ‘leaves’ of these trees (which are for the healing of the nations See Revelation 22:2) come to us through the Eucharist or Holy Communion. As we encounter Christ in the sacraments, paradise is being restored to us since we are partaking of God’s own divine life once again!
Speaking of paradise, we also believe that Mary’s death was an ‘Eden-like’ experience. An ancient homily speaks of this amazing event, mixed with sorrow and awe, as the apostles beheld the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos:
“The mother of this Jesus Christ, the Son of God, death came unto her so that she might taste its cup. And as the Lord descended and prepared his servant Moses for burial, so with these he prepared his mother according to the flesh for burial. On top of the mountain, within luminous clouds, the prophet Moses was prepared for burial by God. So also, Mary, on that mountain of the Galileans, (Mount of Olives) the watchers and angels, along with God, prepared her for burial… This pure mother of the Son of God, into a cave, a tomb, a cavern of stone they brought and laid her. The entire company of the apostles gathered and stood by, as their master truly prepared her for burial with them. The ranks and companies and host of the sons of light; the tumult of the watchers and the fiery assemblies of flame; the fiery Seraphim, with their dense wings of flame, with legions and their heavenly battalions; the mighty Cherubim, who were yoked to his chariot; they trembled with wonder while singing praises with their hosannas. The followers of Gabriel, assemblies more fiery than flame, were variously changed in their natures. The followers of Michael, full of motion in their descent, were keeping the feast, exulting and rejoicing this day with their halleluiahs. The company of the twelve chosen apostles arose, and prepared the virgin body of the Blessed One for burial and the air were filled with the praise of the heavenly ones, who went forth and descended to the place of earth. A sweet and pure fragrance came forth from the censers of the exalted assemblies, when they went forth to descend to the earth.”
-Dormition Homily by Jacob of Sarug (451-521AD).2
What an amazing sermon for this great feast day in the life of the church! I also made a video in honor of Mary’s Dormition or Assumption which we commemorated on August 15th. Countries from around the world have processions and feasts in honor of Mary, the Holy Theotokos (God-Bearer), who was received body and soul into Heaven. In this presentation, I discuss how the East and West received this feast of the Dormition liturgically and also discuss the theological reasons of why Mary experienced a ‘temporal’ death or falling asleep.
If you would like to learn more about Mary’s Dormition and the icon associated with this amazing event, here is a great video by Patristix below (Please subscribe to their channel!).
Be entirely His,
-Kyle
~ Quoted in Constantine Cavarnos, Modern Orthodox Saints: Volume IV, “The Life of St. Nikephoros of Chios,” The Institute for Byzantine Studies, Belmont, MA 1976, pg. 30. See more at: https://www.orth-transfiguration.org/resources/library/writings-of-the-saints/st-nikephoros-chios-1750-1821/