According to ancient tradition concerning the Feast of the Dormition (Falling-Asleep) of the Theotokos, when St. Thomas and the other Apostles discovered Our Lady’s tomb to be empty and that she had been bodily translated (assumed) from earth to heaven, they also found that flowers were growing out of the stone sarcophagus in which she had been laid, giving forth a sweet order, thus confirming their faith in her assumption.  Because of this tradition of flowers springing forth from the stone tomb of the Theotokos, the custom of blessing flowers at the Divine Liturgy of the Feast of Her Dormition has been practised since the 10^th Century.  Over time, seeds and herbs used for medicinal purposes also began to be blessed, in commemoration of the many healings and blessings that were bestowed upon the faithful through the prayers of the Theotokos, though this is less common with the advent of modern medicine.  Everyone is invited to bring flowers (and medicinal herbs, if desired) to be blessed, but remember that we don’t simply throw out blessed things.  Traditionally, these flowers are fed as a blessing to farm animals, but today we can dry them as adornments for our icons at home; otherwise, we should scatter them outside, in a place they won’t be trampled upon.