on November 21, our Church celebrates the Entry of the Virgin Mary, one of the greatest Orthodox holidays.
As we well know, half of the Marys celebrate on November 21, in the so-called Entrances of the Virgin, the other half on the Fifteenth of August (Adoration of the Virgin). The difference is huge for our Church and proves the incalculable and enormous importance and value attributed to the Theotokos.
What do we celebrate the Entrance of the Virgin Mary?
The Virgin Mary was born to elderly parents, Joachim and Anna, who had prayed with great pain to God to give them a baby and they in turn to dedicate it to His Temple.
After much prayer, fasting and diligence, the elderly couple had a baby girl who brought them immense happiness. The two parents never forgot, however, their devotion to the Almighty.
When Mariam turned three years old, she was taken by her elderly parents to Solomon's Temple, in order to fulfill their wish to God. Mary climbed alone the 15 steps leading to the Temple and was delivered by her parents into the hands of the priest Zacharias. He blessed her and said "May the Lord magnify your name in all generations. With you the nations will be blessed and the Lord will redeem the children of Israel." Zacharias led Mary to the sanctuary of the Temple, where the girl stayed for a full 12 years.
Thus Mary, raised by her mother, dedicated herself to God, who rewarded her like no other woman in the world: He made her the mother of God himself.
Apolytikion of the Virgin Mary - 21 NOVEMBER
Six miracles of the Virgin that were associated with the Entrances of the Virgin
There are many miracles of Magalochari that were associated with the Feast of the Entrances and strengthened people's faith, such as the characteristic six examples that follow:
Miracle at the Holy Monastery of Mount Sinai
A miracle was recorded in the 6th century in the Holy Monastery of Agia Catherine, where the Assumptions of the Virgin are especially venerated. A monk, while praying during the feast, saw a brilliant light surrounding the image of the Virgin Mary. This light was considered a sign of protection of the monastery from raids and was confirmed by testimonies of other fathers of the monastery.
The appearance of the Virgin Mary in Constantinople
During the period of the Iconoclasm, on the Feast of the Introductories, the Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to believers in the temple of Blacherna. He reassured them about the protection of the city and the miracle was seen as a reinforcement of the Orthodox in their struggle for the restoration of the icons. This tradition strengthened the importance of the holiday in Constantinople.
The Holy Monastery of Hozoviotissa in Amorgos
The foundation of the Hozoviotissa Monastery is linked to a miracle that honors the Virgin Mary. According to tradition, the icon of the Virgin Mary was found floating in the waves and miraculously led to the place where the monastery was built. Tradition says that the miracle happened near the Feast of the Entrances, reinforcing the importance of the Virgin Mary as the patron saint of sailors.
The miracle at the Holy Monastery of Megistis Lavra, Mount Athos
In the Holy Monastery of Megistis Lavra, on November 21, monks saw the Virgin Mary in a vision during the divine liturgy. She appeared in front of the Holy Altar and blessed them. The miracle was recorded in the annals of the monastery and was associated with the sanctity of monastic life.
Miracle at the Monastery of Panagia Iisodiotissa, Crete
During the period of the Venetian occupation, in the Monastery of Panagia Iisodiotissa in Crete, it is said that on the day of the Entrance, the monks were rescued from a sudden raid by pirates. The Virgin Mary appeared in the sky and miraculously scared off the invaders, saving the monastery and the monks.
The establishment of the Monastery of Panagia Iisodion in Siatista
The establishment of the monastery at the Assumption of the Virgin in Siatista is connected with a miracle that took place on the day of the feast. Locals report that the icon of the Virgin Mary was found in a cave and radiated light. This was considered a divine sign for the construction of the monastery, which became a center of spirituality for the region.
Source: newsbomb.gr
