Entrance of the Theotokos

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

The Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple, also called The Entrance, is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on November 21.

According to Tradition, the Virgin Mary was taken —presented—by her parents Joachim and Anna into the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem as a young girl, where she lived and served as a Temple virgin until her betrothal to St. Joseph. One of the earliest sources of this tradition is the non-canonical Protoevangelion of James, also called the Infancy Gospel of James.

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Hymns

Troparion (Tone 4) [1]

Today is the preview of the good will of God,

of the preaching of the salvation of mankind.

The Virgin appears in the temple of God,

in anticipation proclaiming Christ to all.

Let us rejoice and sing to her: Rejoice,

0 Divine Fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation.

Kontakion (Tone 4)

The most pure Temple of the Savior;

the precious Chamber and Virgin;

the sacred Treasure of the glory of God,

is presented today to the house of the Lord.

She brings with her the grace of the Spirit,

therefore, the angels of God praise her:

"Truly this woman is the abode of heaven."

Externial links

• The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple - OCA web site
• Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple - The Orthodox Faith by Fr. Thomas Hopko
• The Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos - GOARCH web site
• Icons of The Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos