PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD TO THE TEMPLE

On Thursday, November 21, the Armenian Church commemorates the Presentation of the Holy Mother of God to the Temple (Undzayoum Sourp Asdvadzadzni), one of the eight feast days devoted to Mary in the Armenian liturgical calendar. The doctrine of the Holy Mother as “Mother-of-God” (Asdvadzamayr) and Bearer-of-God (Asdvadzadzin) was established in the fifth century at the Holy Ecumenical Council of Ephesus.  

The Feast of the Presentation of the Holy Mother of God to the temple at the age of three is always commemorated on November 21. She remained in the house of God for twelve years, emerging at the age of fifteen with purity and wholesomeness. During her twelve years in the temple, she acquired the knowledge and religion of the greatest scholars, usually denied to female children in those days. The high priest entrusted with the care of Mary was Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist.