The Feast of the Introduction to the Temple of the Blessed Virgin

Today the Holy Church celebrates the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Jerusalem Temple.

Despite this episode of the Virgin Mary’s life is not described in the Holy Scriptures, it is a part of the Church Tradition, which has kept it for centuries.

From the moment She entered the Jerusalem Temple, the development of Her personal holiness took place. The Mother of God symbolically anticipated the Incarnation and became a precious shrine for the Savior, Lord Jesus Christ, Who came to this world, so the humanity can deify and achieve personal holiness.

“This is the grace of God's prefiguration and the preaching of men’s salvation: in the temple of God, the Virgin clearly appears and she foretells Christ to everyone. She is the one and we will cry out loudly: Rejoice, the fulfillment of the Savior’s deed”.“This is the preaching of God's grace and preaching of salvation for men: the Virgin enters the Temple of God and foretells Christ to everyone. So, let’s cry to the One: Rejoice, watching the fulfillment of the Creator’s words”.

On December 3, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite officed an All-night vigil co-served by teachers and students in the priesthood. From the day on, liturgical Christmas preparations have begun. For the first time a Christmas carol "Christ is born, praise, Christ is from Heaven, see it" sang at the evening service.

Bishop Theodorite and Deacon Dimitri Maslov read the Canon.

On December 4, the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

At the antiphons, Bishop Theodorite tonsured Pavel Kazakov, Serafim Mishakov, Gleb Shein, Sergei Medyanov as Readers and elevated Reader Yevgeny Dimmert, a 2nd year undergraduate student of the Perervin Theological Seminary, into a rank of Subdeacon.

After reading the Gospel, Bishop Theodorite addressed an assembly with his archpastoral word.After reading the Gospel, Bishop Theodorite addressed an assembly with his archpastoral word.

During the service, the Rector ordained Deacon Nikita Zakharov, a 4th-year undergraduate student, into a priest and Subdeacon Yevgeny Dimmert into a deacon.

After singing the sacrament verse, Roman Belashov, a first-year graduate student, delivered a sermon:

It is winter now, but celebrating the Feast of the Introduction to the Temple the Blessed Virgin we feel a touch of spring. Spring, as we know, is a symbol of spiritual purity and renewal. We have an opportunity to receive some moral teachings. Therefore, having entered the time of the Nativity Fast, let us thank God for His mercy and a chance to come to the church. Let us follow an example of the Blessed Virgin and grow in virtue. Let spiritual spring come to our souls. I wish that through the prayers of the Holy Mary, everyone can go upstairs to the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Background information:

Chanting performed by the first academic choir under the conduct of E.V. Borovinsky and a mixed choir led by K.A. Alekseeva.

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