WE CELEBRATE THE ENTRY OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS: Here’s What This Holiday Commemorates and Why Fasting Is Mandatory!

The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos, one of the greatest holidays dedicated to the Mother of God.

Vavedenje, also known as the Holy Immaculate or the Female Theotokos, is marked in red letters on the Orthodox calendar and is considered one of the 12 greatest Christian holidays.

It is celebrated in memory of the day when the Virgin Mary was first brought to the Temple in Jerusalem by her parents, Joachim and Anna.

As they had promised to dedicate the child God would grant them to His service, Saint Joachim and Anna brought the three-year-old Mary to the temple.

On this day, the Virgin consecrated herself before God and people, with the high priest Zechariah, father of Saint John the Baptist, officiating. The Theotokos remained in the temple in prayer and fasting until the age of twelve.

After the death of her parents, Mary was given to Joseph, her relative from Nazareth. In Joseph’s home, the Most Holy Theotokos received the Annunciation from the Archangel Gabriel that she would bear the Son of God.

Vavedenje is one of the five greatest holidays dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos and serves as the patronal feast (slava) for many Serbian families. It is believed that this day has been celebrated since the 4th century, with written records dating back to the 8th century. The holiday is also the feast day of the Serbian Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, founded by Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Streamer and his son Saint Sava.

Folk Beliefs and Customs

The Theotokos is considered the protector of women and mothers, and numerous folk beliefs are associated with the power of icons depicting her.

In villages in the Takovo region, it was customary for young women who had married that autumn to gather after the church service, dressed festively and adorned with flowers. In some villages, women without children visit monasteries and churches to pray for fertility.

Eastern Orthodox Christians also celebrate Vavedenje to protect their livestock from wild animals.

In some regions, it is believed that good weather on Vavedenje predicts a bountiful harvest. Elders say that if it rains on Vavedenje, it will be a productive year; if strong winds blow, the harvest will be poor; and if it is cold and snowy, the following year will be mild and warm.

Fasting is mandatory on this day, as Vavedenje falls during the period of the Great Nativity Fast.