Nativity of the Theotokos

On September 8th the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, Mary, the ever-virgin.  She was born to Joachim and Anna. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah, and Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi.  

A favorite saying from St. Gregory Palamas in his homily "On the Nativity of the Mother of God" he writes, "...the Mother of the Creator of the universe, who made the human race divine, turned earth into heaven, made God into the Son of man, and men into the sons of God."

Troparion:

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

Kontakion:

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!