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As with the [[Nativity of the Theotokos|nativity of the Virgin]] and the feast of her [[Presentation of the Theotokos|entrance to the temple]], there are no biblical or historical sources for this feast. The Orthodox Church teaches that Mary is without personal sins{{fact}},<ref>Although St. [[John Maximovitch]] in [http://www.stmaryofegypt.org/library/st_john_maximovich/on_veneration_of_the_theotokos.htm#immaculate_conception Zeal Not According to Knowledge (Romans 10:2)] warns against the Roman Catholic doctrine of the [[Immaculate Conception]], he asserts that any sinlessness on Mary's part was ''not'' due to God's grace, which would belittle any triumph of the Theotokos over temptations: "The teaching that the Mother of God was preserved from original sin, as likewise the teaching that She was preserved by God's grace from personal sins, makes God unmerciful and unjust; because if God could preserve Mary from sin and purify Her before Her birth, then why does He not purify other men before their birth, but rather leaves them in sin? It follows likewise that God saves men apart from their will, predetermining certain ones before their birth to salvation." Indeed, St. John Maximovitch supports the teaching of her lack of personal sins: "However, even then, as Sts. [[Basil the Great]] and [[John Chrysostom]] speak of this [the cleansing of the Holy Spirit at Christ's birth], She was not placed in the state of being unable to sin, but continued to take care for Her salvation and overcame all temptations (St. John Chrysostom, ''Commentary on John'', Homily 85; St. Basil the Great, Epistle 160)."</ref> as well that Mary truly needed to be saved by Christ as all human persons are saved from the trials, sufferings, and death of this world. She truly died and was raised up by her Son as the Mother of Life and participates already in the eternal life of paradise. This life of paradise is prepared and promised to all who "hear the word of God and keep it." ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 11:27-28)