In the Christian Orthodox tradition, the Mother of God is revered as the main intercessor and intercessor before God for the human race. That is why there are many holidays in the Church in her honor. There are several of the most important feasts of the Mother of God.
Four Feasts of the Theotokos are among the most important Christian celebrations. Among them: the Nativity of the Mother of God, the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Annunciation and the Dormition of the Mother of God. These holidays are called twelve.
In the first month of the liturgical year (September), the Church commemorates the birthday of the Mother of God. In the Orthodox statutory tradition, this holiday is celebrated on September 21st (new style).
The next twelve feast of the Theotokos falls on December 4th. On this day, the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos is solemnly celebrated. In this event, the fulfillment of the vow made by the parents of the Virgin Mary, Joachim and Anna, to God, is manifested. According to the vow, if a child was born, godly parents were to consecrate the child to the service of God. And so it happened.
On April 7, the Orthodox Church commemorates the event of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. This holiday is dedicated to the good news of the birth of the Savior of the world. It is this promise that the archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary.
At the end of August (on the 28th in the new style), the Orthodox Church commemorates the day of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Christianity proclaims that the Virgin Mary, even after death, does not leave the human race with her intercession. This holiday is preceded by the holy Assumption Fast.
There are other major Orthodox holidays of the Theotokos. For example, the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos (October 14), days of memory of the miraculous icons of the Mother of God (memory of the Kazan image of the Virgin Mary - November 4 and July 21).
