November 21: The Great Feast of the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple

Selections from the prayers for one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Christian Church:

Let us believers exchange glad tidings, singing to the Lord with psalms and songs of praise, honoring His holy tabernacle, the living ark who contained the uncontainable Word; for in a supernatural manner is she offered to God as a babe. And Zachariah the great High Priest receiveth her rejoicing since she is God's abode. . . .

Today the living temple of holy glory, the glory of Christ our God, who alone is blessed and undefiled is presented in the Mosaic Temple, to live in its holy precincts. Wherefore, Joachim and Anne rejoice now with her in spirit, and the ranks of virgins praise the Lord with songs honoring his Mother. . . .

Thou art the preaching of the prophets, O Virgin Theotokos, the glory of the Apostles and pride of the Martyrs, the renewal of the whole race of earthly ones. For through thee we are reconciled to God. Wherefore, we honor thy coming to the Temple of he Lord, shouting unto thee and hailing thee with the angel, O most honored one; for we are saved by thine intercessions. . . .

Let us, the assembly of believers, celebrate today spiritually in our gathering, and laud with true worship the virgin Maiden of God, the Theotokos, presented in the Temple of the Lord, forchosen from all generations for the abode of Christ, King of all. Wherefore, ye virgins, come forth, holding your lamps and honoring the solemn procession of the ever-virgin. And ye mothers, cast off sorrow, and follow them, praising her who hath become a Theotokos, and a cause of joy to the world. Let us all, therefore, raise our voices with the angel, hailing the one who is full of grace, who ever intercedeth for our souls. . . .

Today the Virgin is the foreshadowing of the pleasure of God, and the beginning of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. Thou hast appeared in the Temple of God openly and hast gone before, preaching Christ to all. Let us shout with one thrilling voice, saying, Rejoice, O thou who art the fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation. . . .

Today the all-blameless Virgin is presented in the Temple for the abode of God, the King of all, the Nourisher of all our souls. Today the all-pure holiness doth enter into the Holy of Holies, as a three-year heifer. Wherefore, let us like the angel, hail her, saying, Rejoice, O thou who alone are blessed among women. . . .

Most blessed art thou, O Virgin Theotokos, for through Him that was incarnate of thee is Hades despoiled, Adam is recalled from the dead, the curse is made void, Eve is set free, death is slain, and we are endowed with life. Wherefore, in hymns of praise, we cry aloud: Blessed art thou, O Christ our God, who is thus well pleased, glory to thee. . . .

Festal Prayers from the liturgical guide of the Department of Liturgics and Translations