The Church celebrates the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple
The introduction into the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos took place, according to the stories preserved by Tradition, as follows. The parents of the Virgin Mary, the righteous Joachim and Anna, praying for the resolution of infertility, vowed, if a child was born, to dedicate it to the service of God.
When the Blessed Virgin turned three years old, the holy parents decided to fulfill their promise. Having gathered relatives and acquaintances, having dressed the Most Pure Mary in the best clothes, singing sacred songs, with lighted candles in their hands, they brought her to the Jerusalem temple. There the high priest met the maiden with many priests. A staircase of fifteen high steps led to the temple. The infant Mary, it seemed, could not have climbed the stairs on Her own. But as soon as She was placed on the first step, strengthened by the power of God, She quickly overcame the other steps and ascended to the top. Then the high priest, by inspiration from above, led the Blessed Virgin into the Holy of Holies, where of all people only once a year the high priest entered with the cleansing sacrificial blood. All those present in the temple marveled at the extraordinary event.
The righteous Joachim and Anna, having entrusted the Child to the will of the Heavenly Father, returned home. The Blessed Mary remained in the room for virgins, which was located at the temple. Around the temple, according to the testimony of the Holy Scriptures (Exodus 38; 1 Kings 1, 28; Luke 2, 37) and the historian Josephus, there were many living quarters in which the initiates stayed to serve God.
The earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos from infancy to ascension to heaven is covered with a deep mystery. Her life in the Jerusalem Temple was also intimate. "If anyone had asked me," said Blessed Jerome, "how the Blessed Virgin spent her youth, I would have answered: God Himself and the Archangel Gabriel, Her constant guardian, know that."
But there is information in Church tradition that during the stay of the Blessed Virgin in the Jerusalem temple, she was brought up in the company of pious virgins, diligently read the Holy Scriptures, engaged in needlework, constantly prayed and grew in love with God. In memory of the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Jerusalem Temple, the Holy Church has established a solemn celebration since ancient times. Indications of the celebration of the holiday in the first centuries of Christianity are found in the traditions of Palestinian Christians, where it is said that the Holy Queen Elena built a temple in honor of the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple.
In the IV century, St. Gregory of Nyssa mentioned this holiday. In the 8th century, the sermons on the day of the Introduction were preached by Saints Herman and Tarasius, Patriarchs of Constantinople.
The Feast of the Introduction of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple is a foretaste of God's favor to the human race, a sermon of salvation, and the promise of Christ's coming.
A separate celebration of the Introduction of the Virgin into the temple originated in the VIII century and specifically in Constantinople. This holiday is mentioned mainly in Byzantine sources and in its worship there are hymns only by Constantinople authors.
At the same time, at an early stage, the holiday did not yet have a solemn divine service, and it did not immediately become generally recognized. From the sources of the VIII century, only the Sinai Gospel of 715 and some (far from all) mention the feast of the Introduction The months are long; also, two sermons on the feast of the Introduction of St. Herman of Constantinople belong to the VIII century. Further, in the oldest manuscript of the Charter of the Great Church — the Patmos list of the IX century, the holiday is only indicated, but no chants or readings are indicated. Thus, in the VIII–IX centuries, the feast of the Introduction of the Virgin into the temple was only approved in the annual circle of worship.
In the X and especially in the XI century, the holiday already acquires solemn worship, pre-celebration and post-celebration, that is, the main features inherent in great holidays.