Today we celebrate the Entrance of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. The mother of the Virgin Mary, Anna, was barren for many years and she and her husband, Joachim, remained childless into their old age. Not giving up, they two prayed fervently for a child which they promised that they would dedicate it to God. For their bold persistence and prayer, the Lord granted them a child which they called Mary. When the Virgin Mary reached the age of three, her parents thought it was time to fulfil their vow. Dressed in her finest clothes and accompanied by candle-bearing virgins, the young Theotokos was led in procession to the Holy Temple. Having reached the Temple, there were fifteen steps leading to the sanctuary. Being such a small girl, the Theotokos had difficulty climbing the first stair, but with a divine source of strength, the young virgin quickly ascended the stairs and reached the sanctuary, while her family and the High Priest recited a Psalm on each step (these Psalms are now known as the Psalms of Ascent). Having reached the top, the High Priest, Zacharias (father of Saint John the Baptist) was divinely inspired to lead her into the Holy of Holies where only the High Priest was allowed to enter once a year. All those present were astonished at this act. The Righteous Joachim and Anna then entrusted their daughter to the Temple where she remained with other virgins in prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures. This feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple foretells God’s blessing for the human race, the preaching of salvation, and the promise of the coming of Christ. May the Most Holy Theotokos intercede for us all and save us + #saint #saintmary #stmary #theotokos #virginmary #mary #entranceofthetheotokos #entryintothetemple #temple #holytemple #solomon #holyofholies #sanctuary #zacharias #joachim #anna #psalm #psalms #psalmsofascent #salvation #christ #jesus #jesuschrist #orthodox (at Jerusalem Palestine) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClMfckVLB5j/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
