THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

After the fall of our fore parents, Adam and Eve, God promised a Saviour for mankind. And when the appointed time came, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ born of a Virgin through the Holy Spirit, in the Town of Bethlehem.

Jesus Christ being the Son of God had an earthly Mother, the Holy Theotokos.

The story of Her birth comes to us from the ancient tradition of the Church. Her parents were righteous Joachim and Anna, descendants of King David, who lived in the town of Nazareth in Palestine. Their lives were without reproach. They practised what they preached, giving public witness to their love of God and neighbour. Theirs was a peaceful and happy marriage for some fif­ty years but they were childless. Often they prayed in sorrow. Among the Hebrews it was considered somewhat of a shame not to have a family. This was so because the people were expecting the promised Saviour to be born.

Once Joachim went to the Jerusalem Temple to pray. He brought an offer­ing to the Lord. But the High Priest would not accept his sacrifice, saying that the Lord took away His blessing from Joachim because of his sins. It hurt him deeply to hear all these things. He did not even return home, but went to a desert place instead. Joachim prayed, fasted asking God to help him.

Meanwhile, Anna was in Nazareth. Soon, she found out what had hap­pened to Joachim. She went into the garden, and prayed there beseeching the Lord to have mercy on them. Suddenly an Angel of God appeared, and told her that the Lord had heard her plea and that she would bear a child. Anna was overcome with emotion at this news. She made a solemn promise to God to dedicate the Child to His service.

God kept His promise. Joachim and Anna became the parents of a Daughter, and they named Her Mary, meaning Sovereign Lady. From Her ear­ly years, Mary was raised up according to God's commandments and humility.

The birth of Mary, Who was to become the Mother of Jesus, is one of the twelve most important Feast Days of the Orthodox Church, because it is the first step of great events leading to the coming of the Saviour. The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary is observed on the 8th/21st of September.