The Most Holy Virgin Mary was born to elderly parents, Joachim and Anna. Her father was of the tribe of David, and her mother of the lineage of Aaron. Through her father, she was of royal lineage, and through her mother, of priestly lineage—thereby foreshadowing the One who would be born of her: the King and High Priest. Though advanced in years, Joachim and Anna fervently prayed to God to grant them a child, to bring them joy just as He had once gladdened Abraham and Sarah by gifting them a son, Isaac. And God did gladden them, granting them more than they could have ever dreamed: not merely a daughter, but the Mother of God. Born in Nazareth, the Most Holy Virgin was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of three; she later returned to Nazareth, where she soon heard the Annunciation from the Holy Archangel Gabriel that she would give birth to the Son of God.

Feast of the Most Holy Theotokos of Kalisz. Feast of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Pochaev.