4 December

The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple of Jerusalem

 

When the Most Holy Virgin Mary reached the age of three, her parents Joachim and Anna took her from Nazareth to Jerusalem to dedicate her to God according to their earlier promise. It was a three-day journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Many relatives of Joachim and Anna gathered in Jerusalem to take part in this event, and many invisible angels of God were also present. Leading the procession into the temple of Jerusalem were virgins carrying lighted tapers in their hands. The Most Holy Virgin was led on one side by her father and on the other side by her mother. Following them were many relatives and friends, all holding lighted tapers. In the temple Mary she was met by the High Priest Zacharias, who was to be the father of St. John the Forerunner. Taking her by the hand, he led her not only into the temple, but into the ``Holy of Holies,'' the holiest of holy places, into which no one but the high priest ever entered, and only once each year. Mary's parents then offered a sacrifice to God according to the Law, received the priest's blessing and returned home.

The Virgin Mary lived 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 her relative as the guardian of her virginity.

The Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple, signifies her total dedication to God and her readiness for her future vocation as the Mother of the Incarnate God our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the “Prologue of Ohrid” by Saint Nikolaj Velimirovi}