The first Great Feast of the Orthodox liturgical year commemorates the birth of the Theotokos to the aged and childless Joachim and Anna. After years of prayer, God granted them a daughter who would become the living temple of the Incarnation. Her birth begins the unfolding of the world's salvation, and the Church celebrates it with joy on September 8.
View the Daily Readings for this feast day (GOARCH Online Chapel)Prayers
Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos (Tone 4)
Your Nativity, O Theotokos, proclaimed joy to the whole world, for from you rose the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, who abolished the curse and gave the blessing, and by destroying death He granted us life eternal.
Book List
Read these in the days leading up to and around the feast.
The Festal Menaion
Find book →Mother Mary and Bishop Kallistos Ware
For adult readers. The classic English translation of the services for the fixed feasts, including the beautiful hymnography of the Theotokos' Nativity.
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My Notes
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