Happy Entrance into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary: touching congratulations, heartfelt poems

On December 4, Orthodox believers celebrate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple, the only feast in the Church calendar that highlights the childhood and youthful years of the Virgin Mary. This date is highly honored by all Christians, both Orthodox and Catholics. In 2024, the celebration falls on Wednesday. "Izvestia" prepared touching congratulations in verse and prose, which can be sent to loved ones on the holiday.

What great holiday celebrates the Russian Orthodox Church on December 4

The annual church celebration falls at the beginning of the multi-day Christmas fast. The solemnity is established in memory of the introduction of the Virgin Mary into the Jerusalem temple for dedication to God. Its full name is Introduction to the Temple of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and the Most Holy Virgin Mary.

This is the second bipedal feast of the Holy Virgin after the Nativity of the Mother of God, connected with the events of the earthly life of the Virgin Mary. It was celebrated in the first centuries of Christianity.

According to tradition, the parents of the Virgin Mary - the righteous Joachim and Anna - could not have children for a long time and prayed for the birth of a daughter, promising to dedicate her to the Lord. Soon the Virgin Mary was born. When the girl was three years old, her parents took her to the temple, fulfilling the vow they had made.

In spite of her infancy, Mary walked up the 15 steps leading to the temple by herself. The clergy headed by Priest Zachariah came out to meet her. Having received a revelation from the Lord, Zechariah led Mary into the inner altar - the most secret place of the temple, where only the high priest could enter once a year.

Later on, this subject was firmly rooted in both liturgical and iconographic tradition. Traditionally, icons depict the Virgin Mary herself in the center of the composition. Her figure is smaller than all the others, given her childhood. Behind her stand Joachim and Anna, and in front - Zacharias greeting Mary. The icon also shows a part of the staircase of 15 steps on which the girl climbed up to the temple. The composition is closed by the Jewish virgins.

Initially the icon was only a fragment of the hagiographic cycle of the Virgin. Later it became the main icon in the divine services. Before her pray for healing from various diseases, deliverance from temptations and temptations, protection from visible and invisible enemies, family welfare and the birth of children.

Soulful congratulations in prose with the Entrance into the Temple of the Virgin Mary

Every year on the eve of the feast there is an all-night vigil, and in the morning in the churches serve the Divine Liturgy. The clergy are dressed in white or blue vestments, symbolizing the heavenly purity and purity of the Virgin Mary. Parishioners also put on festive clothes and bring their children to the first confession.

In the folk tradition after the festive service it was customary to give gifts to godchildren and treat them with sweets. Another tradition is to exchange congratulations with friends and relatives, as well as to send them cards with warm wishes.

Here are some examples of how to congratulate with the Entrance into the Temple of the Virgin in prose with your own words:

"Congratulations on the great holiday! On the wonderful day of the Entrance into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary I wish you and your loved ones peace, goodness, joy and prosperity. Be healthy, happy and let the warm light and bright hopes make your life beautiful."

"With the bright feast of the Entrance into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary! On this joyful winter day, may your soul be filled with light and awe as you remember the introduction of three-year-old Mary into the Temple of Jerusalem. From the bottom of my heart I wish unquenchable faith, strong strength and heavenly grace. May the Blessed Virgin protect you from troubles and hardships, helping you to overcome any trials!"

Christmas Lent - 2024: when it begins, traditions and prohibitions

In 2024, Lent will begin on November 28 and run through January 6

"Happy Entrance into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary! May every step we overcome on our way to God bring wisdom, patience and hope to our lives. I wish that the soul will always be bright and pure, and faith will help us to find strength and live guided by the dictates of God."

"Today we continue the Christmas fast and meet the great bright feast - the Entrance into the Temple of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos! Our Lady of grace entered the temple and thus gave us great hope. So let all your hopes come true, and let your heart know no worries. Congratulations on this great feast!"

Entombment of the Blessed Virgin Mary: touching poems.

"May the Virgin Mary, as in the temple,
"May the Virgin enter every home today
And illuminate it with her
"with her heart's light and warmth.

"On the day of the Entrance into the Temple
"of the Holy Mother of God
"I wish you goodness, love and peace
I wish with all my soul.
May this day shine brightly
"May the candles and lamps in the temple shine brightly,
"May the Mother of God
Stay close to you all the time."

"Happy Presentation Day
of the Holy Mother of God!
May your life be easy,
And may your soul be at peace!
May God always help you,
May your loved ones appreciate you.
I wish you plenty of happiness,
That you don't have to worry a bit!"

The postcards were prepared by Izvestia using photos by Vitaly Ankov, Dmitry Korotayev, Pavel Volkov, Konstantin Mikhalchevsky, Mikhail Metzel and Yuri Akhromeev.