The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
The Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on September 8, is the first Great Feast of the church year. According to tradition, the righteous Joachim and Anna remained childless into old age, bearing reproach with patience and prayer; God heard them and granted them a daughter, Mary, who was to become the Mother of the Saviour.
Her birth is celebrated as the dawn of salvation, the coming into the world of her through whom the Word of God would take flesh. The feast honors also the faithfulness of her parents, and is a day of joy for all who bear the names Maria and Panagiota.
Feast day
On the New Calendar, Nativity of the Theotokos is commemorated on September 8. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on September 21 of the civil calendar.
Who celebrates a name day
People with these names keep their name day on this feast:
Maria, Mary, Maro, Marika, Panagiota, Giota, Despina, Despoina
Also commemorated on September 8
Athanasios of Koulakia
Martyr, Αθανάσιος Κουλακιώτης
New Martyr Athanasios of Koulakia, martyred in Thessaloniki under the Ottomans.
Rufus and Rufianus
Martyr, Ρούφος και Ρουφιανός
Holy Martyrs Rufus and Rufianus, brothers beheaded for Christ.
Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.
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