Introduction
The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady,
the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on
September 8 each year. The Feast commemorates the birth
of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Background
The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is
not recorded in the Gospels or other books of the New
Testament, however this information can be found in a
work dating from the second century known as the Book of
James or Protevangelion.
According to the story found in this book, Mary's
parents, Joachim and Anna, were childless for many years.
They remained faithful to God, but their prayers for a
child were unanswered. One day, when Joachim came to the
temple to make an offering, he was turned away by the
High Priest who chastised him for his lack of children.
To hide his shame, Joachim retreated to the hill country
to live among the shepherds and their flocks.
As Joachim was praying, his wife Anna was praying
at the same time at their house in Jerusalem. An angel
appeared to both of them and announced that Anna would
have a child whose name would be known throughout the
world. Anna promised to offer her child as a gift to the
Lord. Joachim returned home, and in due time Anna bore a
daughter, Mary.
Icon of the Feast
The icon of the Nativity of the Thetokos presents
to us the central figures of Saints Joachim (2) and Anna
(1), Mary's parents, and the Mother of our Lord as an
infant. Saint Anna is in the middle of the icon with her
right hand extended toward her daughter (3). Likewise,
Saint Joachim, Mary's father, is gazing upon the young
child with his right hand extended toward her (3). Anna
is surrounded by attendants who have assisted with the birth.
1. Saint Anna, Mother of the Theotokos, offered her child as a gift to the Lord. | 2. Saint Joachim, Father of the Theotokos. |
3. Both Saint Anna and Saint Joachim who were childless for many years, present their child. |
The icon directs attention to Mary as the central
figure in this feast (4). It also acknowledges the joy
that was felt by Joachim and Anna as new parents with a
child received through a promise from God. The liturgical
texts of the feast acknowledge this joy and confirm the
special role of Mary as the Mother of the Incarnate God,
Jesus Christ. In this event, another step is made in
sacred history in preparation for the entrance of Christ into
the world.
4. The central figure of the feast, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary (detail). |
The icon and the feast also acknowledge a
transition from barrenness to life. This was but another
foreshadowing of what would be offered through Christ,
the transformation from death to eternal life.
Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos is
celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
which is conducted on the morning of the Feast and
preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers
is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast.
Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: At
Vespers: Genesis 28:10-17; Ezekiel 43:27—44:4; Proverbs 9:1-11. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.
Hymns of the Feast
Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole
world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness,
Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His
blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.
In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and
Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of
the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the
guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one
gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."