The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Meaning of the feast

The Nativity of the Theotokos commemorates the birth of the Virgin Mary, whom the Church honors as the Mother of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The feast is inseparable from the mystery of the Incarnation: the Son of God took human nature for the salvation of humankind. Mary’s birth is therefore received as a joyful beginning in the path leading to Christ’s coming into the world. The Church’s hymns praise her as a living temple of God, through whom Christ came among us.

Church tradition and date

Church tradition relates that Mary was born in Nazareth to the righteous Joachim and Anna. Their childlessness brought them deep sorrow and exposed them to the reproach of others. Yet they continued in prayer and hope in God’s mercy. Tradition further recounts that the Archangel Gabriel brought them the joyful news that they would have a daughter, Mary, through whom salvation would come to the world. The Church receives this account as holy tradition, rather than as independently established historical evidence. In this calendar, the feast is kept on September 8 according to the Julian calendar, which is September 21 on the civil calendar from 1901 through 2099.

Spiritual meaning today

This feast encourages believers not to surrender to despair in times of grief or weakness. The prayer of Joachim and Anna recalls patience, faithfulness, and hope in God. Christians honor the Theotokos as a merciful intercessor and mother, approaching her with filial trust. The feast also calls us to more than asking for help: it invites growth in purity of heart, truthfulness, reverence, and virtue. Its joy is gratitude to God for the hope of salvation made known in Christ.

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