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The [[Theotokos|Holy Virgin and Theotokos Mary]] was born to elderly and previously barren parents by the names of [[Joachim and Anna]], in answer to their prayers. Orthodox Christians do not hold to the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[doctrine]] of the [[Immaculate Conception]] of Mary, in which it is supposed that Mary was preserved from the ancestral sin that befalls us all as descendents of [[Adam and Eve]], in anticipation of her giving birth to the sinless Christ. The Orthodox believe that Mary indeed received the ancestral sin, having been conceived in the normal way of humanity, and thus needed [[salvation]] like all mankind. Orthodox thought does vary on whether Mary actually ever sinned, though there is general agreement that she was cleansed from sin at the [[Annunciation]].
==Celebration of the feast==
On the eve of the feast, [[Vespers]] is served and contains three [[Old Testament]] readings that have [[New Testament]] meaning. In [[Genesis]] 28:10-17, Jacob's Ladder which unites heaven and earth points to the union of God with men which is realized most fully and perfectly in Mary the bearer of God. "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" In [[Book of Ezekiel|Ezekiel]] 43:27-44:4, the vision of the temple with the door to the East perpetually closed and filled with the glory of the Lord, symbolizes Mary. And in [[Book of Proverbs|Proverbs]] 9:1-11, Mary is also identified with the "house" which the [[Holy Wisdom|Divine Wisdom ]] has built for herself.
Sometimes [[Matins]] is served on the morning of the feast. The Gospel reading is from [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 1:39-49, 56. It is read on all feasts of the Theotokos and includes the [[Magnificat|Theotokos' saying]]: "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed."
:And we, your people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to you:
:The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our life!
===Forefeast hymns===
Troparion (Tone 4)
:Today from the stem of Jesse and from the loins of David,
:The handmaid of God Mary is being born for us.
:Therefore all creation is renewed and rejoices!
:Heaven and earth rejoice together.
:Praise her, you families of nations,
:For Joachim rejoices and Anna celebrates crying out:
:"The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, the Nourisher of our life!"
Kontakion (Tone 3)
:Today the Virgin Theotokos Mary
:The bridal chamber of the Heavenly Bridegroom
:By the will of God is born of a barren woman,
:Being prepared as the chariot of God the Word.
:She was fore-ordained for this, since she is the divine gate and the true Mother of Life.
==External links==
*[http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen_learn_share/vmnativity/learn/ Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary] - ([[GOARCH]] web site)
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=102541 Nativity of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary] - [[OCA]] web site
*[http://oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=85 Nativity of the Theotokos] - ''The Orthodox Faith'', by the V. Rev. [[Thomas Hopko]]
[[Category:Feasts]]
[[Category:Great Feasts]]
[[mk:Рождество на Пресвета Богородица]]
[[pt:Natividade da Mãe de Deus]]
[[ro:Naşterea Maicii Domnului]]