"Let Heaven Rejoice and Earth Be Glad": Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos Celebrated at MThA

In the liturgical cycle of the Twelve Great Feasts, the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos is the first of the year, celebrated by the Church as a day of universal joy. On this bright day, at the threshold of the Old and New Testaments, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary was born. Divinely ordained from all eternity to serve the mystery of the Incarnation of God the Word, she became the Mother of the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the evening of September 20, MThA clergy, faculty, students, and parishioners gathered for the festive All-Night Vigil at the Intercession Church to offer their prayers to the Mother of God. Metropolitan Eugene of Tallinn and All Estonia led the service. 

He performed the Litiya and blessed the loaves for the faithful.

Before the reading of the Kathismata at Matins, fourth-year undergraduate student Denis Afonin delivered a sermon.

He spoke on how Divine Providence works in every person's life, even when circumstances seem unfair or difficult, as was the case with the childlessness of the Righteous Joachim and Anna. Despite their sorrow and the reproach they faced, they maintained their faith and humility. In response, the Lord granted them the great mercy of the birth of the Most Holy Theotokos. The preacher emphasized that when we face hardships or do not receive what we desire, we must trust in Divine Providence, learn humility, and believe that God’s love directs all things toward our salvation. 

On September 21, the academic community gathered again at the Intercession Church for the Divine Liturgy, presided over by Metropolitan Eugene. 

Before Communion, Abbot Meletios (Sokolov), an MThA faculty member, delivered a sermon to the congregation. 

Following the prayer before the Ambo, the clergy performed the glorification (slavleniye) of the Most Holy Theotokos before the festal icon.

MThA Press Office