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The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
The second great feast of the Theotokos is the celebration of her
entrance as a child into the Jerusalem Temple which is commemorated on
the twenty-first of November. Like the feast of her nativity, this feast
of Mary is without direct biblical and historical reference. But like the
nativity, it is a feast filled with important spiritual significance for
the Christian believer.
The texts of the service tell how Mary was brought as a small child
to the temple by her parents in order to be raised there among the
virgins consecrated to the service of the Lord until the time of their
betrothal in marriage. According to Church tradition, Mary was solemnly
received by the temple community which was headed by the priest
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. She was led to the holy place
to be “nourished” there by the angels in order to become herself the
“holy of holies” of God, the living sanctuary and temple of the Divine
child who was to be born in her.
The texts of the service tell how Mary was brought as a small child
to the temple by her parents in order to be raised there among the
virgins consecrated to the service of the Lord until the time of their
betrothal in marriage. According to Church tradition, Mary was solemnly
received by the temple community which was headed by the priest
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. She was led to the holy place
to be “nourished” there by the angels in order to become herself the “holy
of holies” of God, the living sanctuary and temple of the Divine child
who was to be born in her.
There is no doubt that the verses of the Old Testamental
Psalm 45, used extensively in the services of the feast, provided a great
inspiration for the celebration of Mary’s consecration to the service of
God in the Jerusalem Temple.
Hear, O Daughter, and consider and incline
your ear; forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will
desire your beauty. Since he is your Lord, bow to him.
The
princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes, in many-colored
robes she is led to her king, with her virgin companions, her escort, in
her train.
With
joy and gladness, they are led along, as they enter the palace of the
king.
Instead
of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the
earth. I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations,
therefore, the peoples will praise you forever and ever (Ps 45.10–17).
The Orthodox Church understands these words of the psalm to be a
prophecy directly related to Mary the Theotokos. According to the Gospel
of Saint Luke which is read at the Vigil of each of her feasts, Mary
herself speaks the following words:
My
soul magnifies the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He
has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For behold, hence-forth
all generations shall call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done
great things for me and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who
fear Him from generation to generation (Lk 1.47–50).
The main theme of the feast of Mary’s entrance to the Temple,
repeated many times in the liturgical services, is the fact that she
enters the Temple to become herself the living temple of God, thus
inaugurating the New Testament in which are fulfilled the prophecies of
old that “the dwelling of God is with man” and that the human person is
the sole proper dwelling place of the Divine Presence (Ezek 37.27; Jn 14.15–23; Acts 7.47; 2 Cor 6.11; Eph
2.18–22; 1 Pet 2.4; Rev 22.1–4).
Today is the preview of the good will of
God, of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. The Virgin appears in
the temple of God, in anticipation proclaiming Christ to all. Let us
rejoice and sing to her: Rejoice, O Divine Fulfillment of the Creator’s
dispensation (Troparion).
The
most pure Temple of the Saviour, the precious
Chamber and Virgin, the Sacred Treasure of the Glory of God, is
presented today to the house of the Lord. She brings with her the grace
of the Spirit, which the angels of God do praise. Truly this woman is the
Abode of Heaven! (Kontakion).
The fortieth chapter of Exodus about the building of the tabernacle
is read at Vespers, together with passages from the First Book of Kings
and the Prophecy of Ezekiel. Each one of these readings all end with
exactly the same line, “for the glory of the Lord filled the house
[tabernacle] of the Lord God Almighty” (Ex 40.35; 1 Kg 8.11; Ezek 44.4).
Once again on this feast, the Old Testament readings are interpreted
as symbols of the Mother of God. This “glory of the Lord” is referred to
the Mother of Christ and it “fills” her and all
people after her who “hear the word of God and keep it” as the Gospel of
the festal liturgy proclaims (Lk 11.37–28). The epistle reading at the
Divine Liturgy also proclaims this very same theme (Heb 9.1–7).
Thus, the feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple is
the feast which celebrates the end of the physical temple in Jerusalem as
the dwelling place of God. When the child Mary enters the temple, the
time of the temple comes to an end and the “preview of the good will of
God” is shown forth. On this feast we celebrate—in the person of Christ’s
mother—that we too are the house and tabernacle of the Lord.
. . .
We are the temple of the living God, as God said, “I will live in them
and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people” (2 Cor 6.16;
Is 52.11).
Apolytikion of Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple
Fourth Tone
Today
is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation.
The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells
Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail,
fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."
Kontakion of Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple
Fourth Tone
Today,
the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious
bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treas-ure
of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine
Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
Special Announcement:
·
We need volunteer teachers for our Sunday
School Program for September, 2019 up to May, 2020. If interested please
contact Peter Klentos at 714-466-0356 or send
him email at peter.klentos@sbcglobal.net.
·
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there is a sign-up sheet in the Hall. Please write legibly your name next
to the date you want to sponsor
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We need oil (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) for the
Church, please donate.
·
Please notify us if someone in the member of
the family or yourself is sick, so that we may offer healing prayer.
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