The Nativity of the Most
Holy Mother of God and
Ever-Virgin Mary

Before

After

Within the context of the Old and the New Testaments, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen before the ages by Divine Providence to bring about the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God. She is revealed as the Mother of the Savior of the World, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Most Holy Virgin Mary was born in the small city of Galilee, Nazareth. Her parents were Righteous Joachim a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem and of the tribe of the Prophet-King David, and Anna from the tribe of the First Priest Aaron. The couple was without child, since St. Anna was barren.

Having reached old age, Joachim and Anna did not lose hope in God’s mercy. They had strong faith that for God everything is possible, and that He would be able to overcome the barrenness of Anna even in her old age. Sts. Joachim and Anna vowed to dedicate the child which the Lord might give them, to the service of God in the Temple.

The Lord fulfilled her petitions when the pious couple had attained to extreme old age and prepared themselves by virtuous life for a sublime calling: to be the parents of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, the future Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the icon, the Virgin Mary is depicted as the infant, having been born of her parents St. Anna who is reclining on the couch and St. Joachim who stands prayerfully looking up to heaven giving thanks to God for His mercy and blessings. Tending to the infant daughter Mary are the maidservants of St. Anna.

Pictures in progress

                                 
O Most Holy Trinity, Our God, Glory to Thee!