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(†) Nativity of the Mother of Godtranslated

September 7, 2026 · 1 min read

Orthodox calendar, September 8 Nativity of the Mother of God The first great holiday of the Orthodox church year is the Nativity of the Mother of God, celebrated on September 8.

Moreover, we were supposed to meet the holiness of the Mother of God from the first days of the new year, the Mother of God being the highest human holiness, known and honored in the Church.

The holiday was established on the eighth day of the church year, because the number eight symbolizes the day of eternity, endless life, and thanks to it, the Eternal Son of God became incarnate, defeated death and gave people eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Holy Scripture does not give us information about the Nativity of the Mother of God. This event is related only by the Tradition of the Church, recorded in the cult books and in some writings, such as the Protoevangelia lui Jacob, from the 2nd century. From the Holy Tradition we know that the parents of the Mother of God were the Righteous Joachim and Ana. They were barren and old, but they wanted a child.

Joachim was from the tribe of Judah, and Ana from the tribe of Levi, being the daughter of the priest Matan and his wife, Mariam. They were old and, being deprived of…

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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Alexandra Ciobanu

Parents Joachim and Ana, barren and old, still waited with patience and prayer. I especially remembered the part with the number eight, that it means endless life - I think it's beautiful how everything connects to the Nativity of the Mother of God. This year I'm going to try to be at work early in the morning on the 8th.

Mihai Nistor

Yes, I liked the connection with the number eight too – it's concrete and makes you see how an ordinary day on the calendar becomes a gateway to eternity. Parents Joachim and Ana really show us what long patience means, not one of a few weeks. You're right, it's worth getting to work early in the morning on the 8th; I try to be there with the family.

Daniel Wilson

The part about Joachim and Anna waiting so long in their old age really hits home. My wife and I waited three years for our first kid, and it felt like forever, so their patience makes a lot more sense now. That link with the number eight turning the new church year into a door to eternal life is pretty sharp too – might try to make it to the early service this year like you both said.