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Soon after the beginning of the
Nativity Fast (Advent), the Holy Church celebrates the Feast of the Entrance of the Most-Holy Theotokos
into the Temple. Here we encounter the holiness of Mary — a small child separated
from the world, brought to live in the Temple — a life set apart, consecrated,
and in a state of intimacy with God — something that all of us are called to
be. We also see in this Feast a comparison between the Temple of stone and
Mary, the Living Temple — the Temple of the Savior — for she will bear God the Word — the God-Man — in
her womb, thus showing herself to be a holier Temple than that at
Jerusalem. It is the Living Temple — the instrument of the Incarnation — which sanctifies the Temple built of
stone.
According to the Inner Tradition of
the Church, the Entrance into the Temple took place in the following manner: The parents of the Virgin,
Joachim and Anna, when praying for the resolution of their barrenness, gave a
vow that if a child was born, it would be dedicated to the service of God.
Thus, when the Most-Holy Virgin was three years old, her holy parents resolved
to fulfill their vow.
Having gathered relatives and
acquaintances, clothing the Most-Pure Mary in bright garments, singing sacred
hymns and carrying lit candles in their hands, they led her to the Jerusalem Temple. There
the young Maiden was met by the High Priest with a multitude of priests.
Leading up into the Temple were fifteen high steps, and the child Mary, it seems, was not able
on her own to ascend these steps. But, as soon as she was put on the first
step, being strengthened by the power of God, she quickly climbed the remaining
steps to the top. Later, at an inspiration from Above, the High Priest led the
Most-Holy Virgin into the Holy of Holies into which the High Priest entered
only once a year on behalf of the people, after first making sacrifices for
them and for himself. All who were present were astonished at this
extraordinary event.
The righteous Joachim and Anna,
having delivered the child voluntarily to the Heavenly Father, returned home;
the Most-Blessed Mary remained in the rooms for virgins which were found at the
Temple. Around the Temple, according to the witness of Holy Scripture
(e.g., Luke 2:37), as well as that of the historian Josephus Flavius, there
were many rooms in which remained those dedicated to the service of God.
A deep mystery covers the earthly
life of the Most-Holy Theotokos from her childhood to her repose. Her life in
the Jerusalem Temple was concealed. “If you were to ask me,” said the Blessed Jerome,
“how the Most-Holy Virgin passed the time of her youth, I would answer that
this is known only to God Himself and the Archangel Gabriel detailed to protect
her.”
In Church Tradition, however, is
preserved information that during her sojourn in the Jerusalem Temple, the
Most-Pure Virgin was educated in the community of pious virgins, diligently reading
Holy Scriptures, occupied with handiworks, perpetually in prayer and growing up
with love towards God.
In remembrance of the Entry into the
Temple of the Most-Holy Theotokos, the Church, from ancient times, instituted
a solemn Feast. Information concerning the celebration of the Feast in the
first centuries of Christianity is found in the tradition of Palestinian
Christians, which says that when the Holy Queen Helena came to Palestine, she
erected a church in honor of the Entrance into the Temple of the
Most-Holy Theotokos. Thus the Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of the
Most-Holy Theotokos, pre-announcing the Incarnation of God on earth, proclaims
salvation to all Christians.
Troparion of the Feast
(Tone 4).
Today is the prelude of the good will of
God, of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. The Virgin appears in the Temple of Cod, in
anticipation proclaiming Christ to all. Let us rejoice and sing to her:
Rejoice, O divine Fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation!
Kontakion of the Feast (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, which the angels of God do praise. Truly this woman is the Abode
of Heaven!
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