21 September - The Nativity of the Theotokos

The icon of the Nativity with Saint Joachim in the right corner

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 21 each year. The Feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

BACKGROUND

The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded in the Gospels or other books of the New Testament, however this information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion.

According to the story found in this book, Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, were childless for many years. They remained faithful to God, but their prayers for a child were unanswered. One day, when Joachim came to the temple to make an offering, he was turned away by the High Priest who chastised him for his lack of children. To hide his shame, Joachim retreated to the hill country to live among the shepherds and their flocks.

As Joachim was praying, his wife Anna was praying at the same time at their house in Jerusalem. An angel appeared to both of them and announced that Anna would have a child whose name would be known throughout the world. Anna promised to offer her child as a gift to the Lord. Joachim returned home, and in due time Anna bore a daughter, Mary.

ICON OF THE FEAST

The icon of the Nativity of the Thetokos presents to us the central figures of Saints Joachim (2) and Anna (1), Mary's parents, and the Mother of our Lord as an infant. Saint Anna is in the middle of the icon with her right hand extended toward her daughter (3). Likewise, Saint Joachim, Mary's father, is gazing upon the young child with his right hand extended toward her (3). Anna is surrounded by attendants who have assisted with the birth.

1. Saint Anna, Mother of the Theotokos, offered her child as a gift to the Lord.	2. Saint Joachim, Father of the Theotokos.
3. Both Saint Anna and Saint Joachim who were childless for many years, present their child.

The icon directs attention to Mary as the central figure in this feast (4). It also acknowledges the joy that was felt by Joachim and Anna as new parents with a child received through a promise from God. The liturgical texts of the feast acknowledge this joy and confirm the special role of Mary as the Mother of the Incarnate God, Jesus Christ. In this event, another step is made in sacred history in preparation for the entrance of Christ into the world.

4. The central figure of the feast, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary (detail).

The icon and the feast also acknowledge a transition from barrenness to life. This was but another foreshadowing of what would be offered through Christ, the transformation from death to eternal life.

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