November 21
Introduction
The Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of
Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is
celebrated on November 21 each year. The Feast
commemorates when as a young child, the Virgin Mary
entered the Temple in Jerusalem.
When Mary was three years old, Joachim and Anna
decided that the time had come to fulfill their promise and
to offer her to the Lord. Joachim gathered the young
girls of the neighborhood to form an escort, and he made
them go in front of Mary, carrying torches. Captivated by
the torches, the young child followed joyfully to the
Temple, not once looking back at her parents nor weeping
as she was parted from them.
The holy Virgin ran toward the Temple, overtaking
her attendant maidens and threw herself into the arms of
the High Priest Zacharias, who was waiting for her at the
gate of the Temple with the elders. Zacharias blessed
her saying, "It is in you that He has glorified your name
in every generation. It is in you that He will reveal
the Redemption that He has prepared for His people in the
last days."
Then, Zacharias brought the child into the Holy
of Holies—a place where only the High Priest was permitted
to enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. He placed
her on the steps of the altar, and the grace of the Lord
descended upon her. She arose and expressed her joy in a
dance as wonder seized all who saw this happen.
The Virgin Mary dwelt in the Temple for nine
years until, reaching an age for marriage, she was taken from
the Temple by the priests and elders and entrusted to
Joseph as the guardian of her virginity.
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
signifies her total dedication to God and her readiness for
her future vocation as the Mother of the Incarnate Lord.
This is a feast of anticipation. As honor is shown to
Mary, the faithful are called to look forward to the
Incarnation of Christ, celebrated in a little more than a
month by the Feast of the Nativity on December 25.
Icon of the Feast
The icon of the feast tells the story of Mary's entry into the Temple. The High Priest, Zacharias (1), is in his priestly robes standing on the step of the Temple. His arms are outstretched, ready to greet and receive the Virgin. Mary is shown as a small child, standing before Zacharias with her arms reaching up to him (2).1. The High Priest, Zacharias receives the Theotokos at the steps of the Temple (detail). | 2. The Theotokos as a small child being received by the High Priest, Zacharias (detail). |
In some icons the young maidens (3) who served
as her escort are depicted standing behind her. Also, we see
her parents, Joachim and Anna (4), offering their child
to God and His divine service.
3. Young maidens gathered by Joachim to form an escort for the Theotokos (detail). | 4. Joachim and Anna, parents of the Theotokos (detail). |
In the upper center portion of the icon, the
Virgin is seated on the steps of the Holy of Holies. An angel
is there, attending to the one chosen by God to bring the
Savior into the world.
5. An Angel of the Lord attends to the Theotokos in the Holy of Holies (detail). |
Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Entrance 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: Exodus 40:1-5, 9-10, 16, 34-35; I Kings 7:51, 8:1, 3-4, 6-7, 9-11; Ezekiel 43:27—44:4. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Hebrews 9:1-7; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.
Hymns of the Feast
Apolytikion (Fourth Tone)Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."
Kontakion (Fourth Tone)
Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.