When the Most Holy Virgin turned 3 years old, her parents Joachim and Anna took her to Jerusalem to present her to God for service, as they had promised. In front went the virgins with lighted candles, then the Most Holy Virgin led by her father and mother, and then numerous relatives and friends, all with candles. She was met in the temple by the high priest Zechariah, the father of John the Forerunner, and led her into the Holy of Holies, where only the high priests entered, and only once a year. The Most Holy Virgin remained at the temple for 9 years. In the meantime, her parents had passed away and she wanted to remain in the temple for the rest of her life, vowed to God to virginity. This was against the law, so they gave her to her relative Joseph to keep.

Christmas fast.