Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: November 21

When Saints Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Virgin Mary, were granted a child after praying for an end to their childlessness, they vowed to dedicate her to God's service. At the tender age of three, they fulfilled this vow, dressing the young Mary in her finest clothes and escorting her to the Temple with virgins singing sacred songs and holding lighted candles. The High Priest met them, and to everyone's astonishment, the child Mary, seemingly strengthened by divine power, swiftly ascended the fifteen high steps leading to the sanctuary.

The High Priest, inspired by God, then led the Most Holy Virgin into the Holy of Holies, a sacred inner chamber where only the High Priest entered once a year. This extraordinary event astounded all who were present. After entrusting their daughter to God, Joachim and Anna returned home, and Mary remained in the Temple's living quarters for virgins. While her life there remains largely shrouded in mystery, Church Tradition suggests she grew up in a community of pious virgins, dedicating herself to diligently reading Holy Scripture, engaging in handicrafts, and constant prayer, all while growing in her love for God.

The Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple has been celebrated by the Church since ancient times, with mentions from figures like Saint Gregory of Nyssa in the fourth century and sermons by Saints Germanus and Tarasius in the eighth century. This feast is seen as a prefigurement of God's blessing for humanity, signaling the coming of salvation and the promise of Christ's arrival. It highlights Mary's unique role and purity, chosen by God from eternity to become the mother of the incarnate Word.

Saint Gregory Palamas, in his discourse, further elaborates on the profound theological significance of this event. He explains that just as humanity fell through the envy and cunning of the serpent and Adam's sin, a new, sinless Adam was needed to restore humanity. This new Adam, Jesus Christ, required a perfectly pure vessel for His incarnation. Mary, chosen by God from the lineage of Seth and David, was that immaculate vessel, conceived not through fleshly lust but by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Her Entry into the Holy of Holies signifies her unparalleled purity and her role as a living temple, a treasure of God.

Ultimately, the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple underscores the providential preparation for the Incarnation of Christ. Mary's dedication to God from her infancy, her miraculous ascent into the Holy of Holies, and her life of profound piety all point to her singular role in salvation history. She became the "new root" for humanity, providing the human nature for the God-Man, Jesus Christ, who would overcome sin and death, and restore humanity to divine sonship.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel & can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.

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