December 4 — Introduction to the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos: how to spend the day for an Orthodox Christian

Orthodox believers celebrate the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple on December 4. On this day, it is customary to pray with the whole family, observe fasting and prepare a festive meal in a lenten format. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

What is the holiday of December 4? The Entrance to the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos

On December 4, Orthodox believers celebrate one of the twelve great feasts — the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple. It is dedicated to the event when the parents of the Virgin Mary, the righteous Joachim and Anna, fulfilled their vow and brought their three-year-old daughter to the Jerusalem temple to dedicate her to the service of God.

The young Mary was accepted by the high priest into the temple, where she remained until adulthood, learning the laws and prayer. Her example became a model for believers, symbolizing devotion to God and the preparation of the soul for service.

This day symbolizes spiritual purity, obedience and readiness for service, becoming an omen of the future mission of the Mother of God as the mother of the Savior.

How to spend a Christian's day

On the day of the feast, Orthodox families gather together for joint prayer, reading the troparion and Kontakion of the Introduction, as well as the akathist to the Mother of God.

In the Orthodox tradition, special attention is paid to the upbringing of children in the spirit of faith: parents are encouraged to tell their children about the meaning of the holiday, explain the meaning of spiritual initiation and the example of Mary as an obedient and pure soul.

In addition, on the day of the Introduction, it is customary to visit the temple with the whole family, participate in the Divine Liturgy and confess before communion. Prayers on this day are addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary with requests for protection, health and spiritual protection of the whole family.

In many parishes, the Entrance into the temple is also considered a holiday for girls. Parents bring their daughters to church to place a candle in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary and pray for their well-being and spiritual purity. It is considered to be a particularly auspicious time for prayer for children and family.

An important part of the tradition is preparing the house for the holiday: icons are put in order, a place for prayer is set up, candles and special attributes are prepared that help focus on the spiritual side of the holiday.

In addition to prayer, on this day many believers pay attention to charity and charity, helping those in need, which is also an expression of the spiritual meaning of Introducing and fulfilling the commandment of love for one's neighbor.

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A festive meal on a fast day

Since the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple falls during the Christmas fast, the festive meal on this day should be lenten. For believers, this means abstaining from meat, dairy products, eggs, and sometimes fish, depending on local church rules and the blessing of the confessor. Dishes made from vegetables, legumes, mushrooms and fruits are preferred on the table.

Traditionally, lean pies, porridges, salads and compotes are prepared. It is important that the meal is not only nutritious, but also spiritual in nature — it is accompanied by a prayer of thanksgiving, recitation of prayers before meals and a reminder of the spiritual essence of the holiday.

In some parishes, it is customary to prepare Lenten meals with the whole family, which strengthens family ties and makes the holiday a shared spiritual experience.

All-night vigils and Divine Liturgies with the participation of the entire parish community are held in major cathedrals and churches in Russia on the eve of the holiday and on the day itself.