The feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos is the first feast day according to the Byzantine liturgical calendar. Happy New Year to everybody!
Your Nativity, O Virgin,
Your Nativity, O Virgin,
Has proclaimed joy to the whole universe!
The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,
Has shone from You, O Theotokos!
By annulling the curse, He bestowed a blessing.
By destroying death, He has granted us eternal Life.
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| The icon of nativity of the Theotokos, at the grotto of her nativity, situated beneath Basilica of St. Anne, Jerusalem |
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| The grotto of the nativity of the Theotokos |
By Your Nativity, O Most Pure Virgin,
Joachim and Anna are freed from barrenness;
Adam and Eve, from the corruption of death.
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!
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| The main altar of Basilica of St. Anne, built by Crusaders in 1130 in Jerusalem, on the foundation of Byzantine shrine, above the grotto of nativity of Mary |
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| The tabernacle of Basilica of St. Anne |
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| A side altar honouring St. Ann and Blessed Virgin Mary |
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| Statue of Sts. Anne and Mary, Basilica of St. Anne |
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| Basilica of St. Anne, the façade |
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| Basilica of St. Anne, the façade and bell tower |
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages amen.
How should we not marvel at your Offspring,
who is both God and man, all-honoured one?
For without knowing man,
O all-blameless, you gave birth in the flesh to a Son without father,
begotten from the Father before the ages without mother,
in no way undergoing change, or mixture or separation;
but preserving intact the identity of either nature.
Therefore, Sovereign Lady, Virgin-Mother,
implore Him that the souls may be saved of those who with right belief acknowledge you as Theotokos.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages amen.
How should we not marvel at your Offspring,
who is both God and man, all-honoured one?
For without knowing man,
O all-blameless, you gave birth in the flesh to a Son without father,
begotten from the Father before the ages without mother,
in no way undergoing change, or mixture or separation;
but preserving intact the identity of either nature.
Therefore, Sovereign Lady, Virgin-Mother,
implore Him that the souls may be saved of those who with right belief acknowledge you as Theotokos.
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| The Orthodox chapel commemorating the nativity of the Theotokos, behind Basilica of St. Anne |
Finally, let us contemplate on this joyful event by listening to Glory to... How should we not marvel:
Your Nativity:
For more information on Basilica of St. Anne, see: http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/sbf/escurs/Ger/10escursEn.html
http://www.africamission-mafr.org/jerusalem_presentationgb.htm
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