The Nativity of the Mother of God

	FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD September 8th

	*TROPARION* Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, heralded joy to the universe; for from you rose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. He took away the curse, He gave the blessing and by trampling Death, He gave us everlasting life.

	*KONTAKION* Through your holy birth, O Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. Delivered from the guilt of sin, your people celebrate this when they cry out to you: "She who is barren gives birth to the Mother of God and the Sustainer of our Life."

	The feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos is the first great feast of the year. It heralds the beginning of salvation of the world, hence its position on the liturgical calendar. Joachim and Anna’s faithful prayers for a child are answered and the work of our redemption is begun. The fourth stichera sung at vespers amply sums up this feast: Today the barren gates are opened, and the Virgin, the Gate of God, comes forth. Today grace begins to bear fruit showing forth to the world the Mother of God, through whom earth is united to heaven for the salvation of our souls.

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