Today the living temple of holy glory, the glory of Christ our God, Who alone is blessed and

undefiled, is presented in the Mosaic Temple, to live in its holy precincts. Wherefore, Joachim

and Anna rejoice now with her in spirit, and the ranks of virgins praise the Lord with songs

honoring His Mother.

Great Vespers for November 20 -- Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos

 

 

Receive thou her of whom the Prophets

of God did preach in the Spirit, and take her into the holy Temple to be brought up in purity that

she may become a divine throne to the Lord of all, a palace, a couch, and a shining abode.

 

The Reading is from Ezekiel. (43:27-44:4

Reader: These things doth our Lord say: “And when these days are expired, it shall be that upon

the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and

your peace offerings; and I will accept ye,” saith the Lord God. Then He brought me back the

way of the gate of the outer sanctuary which looketh toward the east, and it was shut. Then the

Lord saith unto me, “This gate shall be shut. It shall not be opened and no man shall enter in by

it, because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it; therefore it shall be shut. It is for the

prince; the prince shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord. He shall enter by the way of the

porch of that gate and shall go out by the way of the same.” Then He brought me the way of the

north gate before the house. And I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of

the Lord; and I fell upon my face.