Forefeast of the Nativity of the Mother of God

Commemorated on September 7.

The first lesson at Great Vespers (Genesis 28:10-17) describes Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, and the angels ascending and descending upon it. The second lesson (Ezekiel 43:27-44:4) speaks of the gate of the sanctuary which faces east. God enters through this gate, which is shut so that no one else can enter by it. The third reading (Proverbs 9:1-11) talks about the house that Wisdom has built.

These readings are interpreted as prefiguring the Mother of God.

Troparion

Podoben: “Joseph was amazed....”
From the root of Jesse, and from the loins of David,
the godly Mary is born to us today,
for which the universe rejoices and is renewed,
heaven and earth rejoice together.
Praise her, you Fathers of the nations,
Joachim rejoices and Anna celebrates shouting
“The barren woman has conceived the Theotokos, the nourisher of our lives.”

Kontakion

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.