On December 4, 2020, on the day of the Feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, a solemn service was held in the Tithes Monastery of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Liturgy was led by His Grace Gideon, Bishop Makarovsky, who was concelebrated by the monastery brethren in the priesthood.
After the reading of the Holy Gospel, a fervent prayer was raised to end the coronavirus epidemic and for doctors who are fighting for the life and health of patients.
At the end of the service, the rite of glorification was performed, after which Vladyka distributed gifts to the smallest parishioners.
The introduction into the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos took place, according to the stories preserved in Tradition, as follows. The parents of the Virgin Mary, righteous Joachim and Anna, praying for the resolution of infertility, made a vow, if a child is born, to consecrate him to the ministry.
When the Blessed Virgin was three years old, the holy parents decided to fulfill their promise. Gathering relatives and friends, dressing the Most Pure Mary in the best clothes, singing sacred songs, with candles in their hands, they brought her to the Jerusalem temple. There the high priest met the Divine Lady with many priests. A staircase of fifteen high steps led to the temple. Infant Mary, it seemed, could not have climbed these stairs by herself. But as soon as She was placed on the first step, strengthened by the power of God, She quickly overcame the rest of the steps and ascended to the upper one. Then the high priest, by inspiration from above, led the Most Holy Virgin into the Holy of Holies, where of all people, only once a year did the high priest enter with a cleansing sacrificial blood. All those present in the temple were amazed at the extraordinary event.
Righteous Joachim and Anna, having entrusted the Child to the will of the Heavenly Father, returned home.
