Watch live the Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, and Ever-Virgin Mary, presiding His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, NJ.
The Feast commemorates when as a young child, the Virgin Mary entered the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple signifies her total dedication to God and her readiness for her future vocation as the Mother of the Incarnate Lord. As honor is shown to Mary, the faithful are called to look forward to the Incarnation of Christ, celebrated in a little more than a month by the Feast of the Nativity on December 25. This is a feast of anticipation.
The Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, which is conducted on the morning of the Feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: At Vespers: Exodus 40:1-5, 9-10, 16, 34-35; I Kings 7:51, 8:1, 3-4, 6-7, 9-11; Ezekiel 43:27—44:4. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Hebrews 9:1-7; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.
This live coverage is brought to you by the Parish Council of St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, NJ.