The Catholic Church, which is the largest branch of Christianity in terms of the number of believers, is the main religion of many European countries (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, etc.). Many holidays celebrated by Orthodox believers are also present in Catholicism. One of them is the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Catholic Nativity of the Mother of God is dedicated to the remembrance of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Mother of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the New Testament contains little information about the life of the Mother of God. The event celebrated on this day is found only in church tradition.
Tradition says that the parents of the Virgin Mary are the pious Joachim from the clan of King David and Anna, who came from the clan of the high priests. The Mother of God was born according to a special promise from God, which was given to Joachim and Anna, who were already in old age. The name of the Virgin Mary was indicated by an angel who announced this event to her parents.
During the celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin, Catholic Christians emphasize the importance of the role assigned to the Virgin Mary in the implementation of the divine plan for the salvation of mankind. The first mention of the holiday occurs in the second half of the fifth century. In the same century, the Nativity of the Virgin was included in the church calendar.
The Nativity of Our Lady is considered one of the great holidays in the Catholic faith. It is celebrated for six days in a row - from 7 to 12 September. According to the existing tradition, these days in all Catholic churches and churches solemn services are held in honor of the birthday of the Virgin Mary. Parishioners bring fresh flowers to the icons of the Virgin. Their numerous prayers are also addressed these days to the intercessor of the Mother of God. In them, people thank her for giving humanity the hope of salvation and ask her to propitiate God to forgive them all their sins.
In the homes of believing Catholics during the celebration of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, a solemn atmosphere is also preserved. On this occasion, festive dishes are prepared, church candles are lit, and the youngest family members listen to the stories of parents, grandfathers and grandmothers about the amazing prophecy of an angel and the birth of the Virgin Mary.
