The Great Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos is the celebration of the presentation of Mary, the Mother of God, who was brought by Joachim and Anna (her parents) to the Temple in Jerusalem to live and serve until her betrothal to Joseph. We deeply cherish this feast because we honor Mary as "the abode of heaven" (from the Troparion of the Feast) and "the heavenly tabernacle" (from the Kontakion of the Forefeast). On this day we bask in the glory of Mary who "let it be don

Mary, the Mother of God, the Most Holy Theotokos, died to herself at a very early age in order to serve God. Have you ever thought about what that was like? It was a total gift of body, soul, and spirit. Not one part of her was reserved for something selfish. That is why in death she was assumed, soul AND body, into heaven. Do you meditate on her life? Do you ask her intercession? Do you ask God for the strength to emulate her? Die to yourself. Live in God and God alone. An i

Do not be afraid to do what is difficult in order to get on the path of completing the will of God. If you avoid those tasks, you will not be able to move forward. This will cause you great sorrow at later times and in unexpected ways. And it will be much worse than facing the task in the first place. - If you need help completing the work to get on the straight path, implore the Mother of God who intercedes for us. Try using one of the kontakia (a special type of hymn) from