Russians celebrate Virgin Mary’s Presentation in the Temple
4/12/2011
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill conducted a service at the Donskoy monastery in Moscow today on the occasion of the Day of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple.
According to legend, Mary’s parents Joachim and Anna brought 3-year-old Mary to the Jerusalem Temple in pursuance of their vow to dedicate their child to God.
The Church considers this episode of her life important, so it became the reason for one of the greatest festivals for Orthodox Christians.
The Holy Virgin’s life began with the presentation in the Temple and it was a miraculous and solemn beginning, the Patriarch told the congregation after the service.
The festival of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple was established in the first centuries of Christianity. It became common in the Orthodox Church in the 9th century.
(TASS)
