Introduction to the Church of the Most Holy Lady of our Mother of God

Introduction to the Church of the Most Holy Mother of GodThe introduction to the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos was made, according to the stories preserved by Tradition, as follows. The parents of the Virgin Mary, righteous Joachim and Anna, praying for the resolution of infertility, vowed, if a child is born, to dedicate him to the service of God.

When the Blessed Virgin was three years old, the holy parents decided to fulfill their promise. Gathering relatives and acquaintances, dressing the Most Pure Mary in the best clothes, singing sacred songs, with lit candles in her hands, led her to the Jerusalem temple. There he met the high priest with many priests. In the temple led a staircase of fifteen high steps. Baby Mary couldn't have climbed the stairs herself. But as soon as she was placed on the first step, strengthened by the power of God, she quickly overcame the other steps and ascended to the top. Then the high priest, by suggestion from above, introduced the Blessed Virgin into the Holy of Holies, where the high priest entered only once a year with purifying sacrificial blood. All those present at the temple were amazed at the extraordinary event.

The righteous Joachim and Anna, having presented the Child to the will of the Heavenly Father, returned home. Blessed Mary remained in the room for virgins, which was at the temple. Around the temple, according to the testimony of the Holy Scriptures (Exodus 38; 1 Samuel 1, 28; Luke 2, 37) and the historian Josephus, there were many dwellings in which those initiated to serve God.

In remembrance of the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Jerusalem Temple, the Holy Church has established a solemn feast since ancient times. Indications for the celebration of the holiday in the first centuries of Christianity are in the legends of Palestinian Christians, where it is said that the holy Queen Helena built a temple in honor of the introduction of the Most Holy Mother of God into the temple.

In the IV century, the mention of this holiday is in St. Gregory of Nyssa. In the eighth century, sermons on the day of the introduction were delivered by Saints Herman and Tarasius, the Patriarchs of Constantinople.

The feast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the temple is a foreshadowing of God’s goodwill to the human race, the preaching of salvation, the promise of Christ’s coming.