5 Ways to Celebrate the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
The Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos often falls
right around Thanksgiving, which can make it easy to overlook at times in the
bustle of travel, family, and shopping sales.
However, by putting forth just a little effort, we can help remind our
families of the importance of this feast and line up our family life with the
Church’s calendar. Here are a few ideas:
1. Attend
Divine Liturgy and Read the Story of the Feast
As with any feast of the Church, bringing your family
to church to participate in Divine Liturgy is truly the best way to celebrate
any feast. Also, reading the story of
the feast helps it come alive to young children. I highly recommend the children’s book The
Story of Mary, the Mother of God by Dorrie Papademetriou.
2. Sing
the Troparion of the Feast
One of the things that drew me to the Orthodox Church
was the richness and depth of theology in our hymns. By helping our families learn the hymns for
each feast, we are allowing that richness to become part of the way they view
the world. How amazing!
The Troparion for the Feast of the Entrance of the
Theotokos is:
“Today is
the preview of the goodwill of God,
Of the preaching
of the salvation of mankind.
The Virgin
appears in the Temple of God
In
anticipation proclaiming Christ to all.
Let us
rejoice and sing to her,
Rejoice,
O Divine Fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.”
There are A lot of big words in the feast’s hymn. If you have small children, it would be a
good idea to try to explain the hymn as you teach it. How is the Theotokos a “preview” of God’s goodwill? What does it mean that she is the
“fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation”?
3. Pray
an Akathist Hymn
In the Orthodox Church, we also pray prayers that are
called Akathist hymns. Akathist hymns
are dedicated to a particular saints, events, or a person of the Trinity and
are designed to guide a Christian’s prayers and meditation upon that person or
event. The word Akathist itself means
“not sitting,” as the general posture for prayer in the Orthodox Church is
standing. The most famous Akathist hymn
(referred to generally just as The Akathist) is dedicated to the Theotokos and
is a part of the Lenten services.
There are many beautiful Akathist hymns dedicated to
the Theotokos which would make a wonderful addition to the feast day. As it is close to the American holiday of
Thanksgiving, one fantastic option is the Akathist of Thanksgiving. Another beloved prayer is the Akathist to the
Mother of God Nurturer of Children.
Adding either of these prayers to your feast day family prayer time
would be a lovely way to honor the Theotokos.
4. Temple
of the Holy Spirit Craft
The Theotokos would become the literal temple of the
Holy Spirit when she bore Christ in her womb, which is foreshadowed by her
entrance into the Temple. Paul wrote
that we, as Christians, are also temples of the Holy Spirit. This feast is a great day to make a simple
craft that will help children begin to understand this abstract concept.
First, have children lay down on a piece of large
paper (butcher paper, etc.). Then, trace
their bodies with a marker. When they
get up, they will be delighted to see an outline of themselves on the
paper. Next, children can color in their
features and clothing. Finally, once all
of the drawing and coloring is complete, tape or paste a small paper icon of
Christ on the paper child’s heart.
Explain to them that Christ, through the Holy Spirit, came upon them at
their chrismation and dwells within them. At the bottom of the paper you can write the
words, “A Temple of the Holy Spirit.”
5.
Lantern Procession
To young children, one of the most interesting parts
of this feast is the procession of lantern-bearing maidens that accompanied the
Theotokos to the Temple. Your family can
act out this procession by making lanterns (or torches) of your own. The torches could simply be flashlights or
candles. Or, you can use craft supplies
like cardstock and tissue papers to create a lantern. Once you have your lanterns, have one family
member hold the icon of the Theotokos while the others surround it carrying
their lanterns. Then, walk around your
house singing the Hymn to the Theotokos.
By Sarah Wright
Excerpt from: http://www.orthodoxmotherhood.com/ways-celebrate-feast-entrance-theotokos-temple/
