The feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God Into the Temple
praises and glorifies God for His plan of salvation. God prepares
for Himself a holy dwelling place. The Byzantine Church never tires
of praising the Mother of God for her role in our salvation. She is
called the "Heavenly Tabernacle" in the Kontakion of the Feast,
and the "Living Tabernacle of God" in the Hirmos. She is given
these titles because in her womb the Word of God has taken flesh
and dwelt among us. Her body is the living tabernacle of the
Incarnate Word and, through her, God has taken on our human
nature and elevated us to become "sharers of the divine nature"
(2 Peter 1. 4). God, Who is beyond our reach and beyond our grasp,
comes to dwell among us. This is God's plan, and in the Virgin
Mary, this plan of salvat ion was achieved.
In the Icon of the Entrance of the Mother of God, Mary is shown as
a young girl being escorted to the Temple by her parents, Joachim
and Anna. She is also accompanied by the holy virgins carrying
candles. In all the icons of the Presentation, the High Priest greets
the holy family at the entrance of the Temple.
The presentation into the temple is the main event, so the figures
of the holy family and the High Priest are predominant. The Church
honors the Virgin Mary as the God-bearer, (in Greek: Theotokos)
the one who, in God's plan of salvation, would give birth to God the Word. In the upper corner of some icons the Virgin Mary is seen already seated in the Temple, and being cared for by the Angels. Thus, Mary, the young girl, is not only presented but also participates in the very task of her temple life. Through the Icon, we celebrate and share this mystery in the life of the Virgin.
