On September 21, the church commemorates a significant event – the birth of a woman destined to become the mother of Christ. The birth of the Virgin Mary is associated with a miracle, as are all events that led to the incarnation of God in human form.
Joachim and Anna had been married for many years, but they had no children. In Judaism, childlessness was seen as God’s punishment for sins. Therefore, the attitude towards the couple was somewhat dismissive. Despite their venerable age, younger parishioners and even priests allowed themselves to speak out about them.
When the priest refused to accept Joachim’s sacrifice on the grounds of his childlessness, he went into the wilderness for fasting and prayer.
Anna prayed at home. One day an angel visited her during prayer. He said that the prayers of the couple were heard and that they would soon have a elbow. The angel also said that she should be called Mary.
This is exactly what Joachim had. Joyful, he rushed home to share the news with his wife, and met her at the city gate. She hastened to make a wonderful promise to her husband.
The happy couple vowed to give their daughter to serve the Lord. After 3 years, it happened.
The Church regards the childlessness of Joachim and Mary as spiritual emptiness, the spiritual sterility of the human race, and the birth of the Mother of God as the end of this period, “the resolution of the infertility of our nature.”
Without the birth of Mary there would be no Manifestation of God, and without it there would be salvation. Christmas of the Virgin opened a new chapter in the history of mankind.
No wonder in the tropar for this holiday it says:
Your Christmas heralds joy for the whole world,
From You shone the sun of righteousness, Christ.
Our God has broken the curse,
Death abolished,
He gave us eternal life.
The Nativity of the Mother of God is an occasion for joy, a time for prayerful communication and joint Communion. It is important to serve others on this day. To comfort the sad, to support the doubting, to give to the needy.
Days of celebration
21 September
Charity foundHoly Land.
Soul investment!
