The Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos marks the beginning of the New Testament, a moment in human history that announces the nearness of our deliverance. This day is filled with joy, not merely because of the birth of a child, but because of the birth of the One who will bear within her womb Him who will save the world. In the Nativity of the Most Pure Virgin, we see not only the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies but also the beginning of a new creation—the life that Christ will bring to the world.
As our Elder, Bishop Parthenius of Antania, wisely observes, “In the person of the Theotokos, we see the perfect synergy between God’s grace and human free will. Her birth is a moment of immeasurable mercy for all mankind, for through her, like from a pure sapling, the Word of God Himself will grow in the world. The Holy Trinity prepares from her a temple where the mystery of the Incarnation will take place, thus returning humanity to its original source—communion with the Creator.
The Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos is a sign of what is to come—the true stillness of the spirit, the humility that will open the gate for the invisible God to become visible. Mary, through her birth, appears as the new Eve, who will not fall, but through her fateful ‘Yes,’ will open the gates of heaven for all mankind. This birth is not merely a historical fact, but an extraordinary theological event that transforms the very depths of human existence, pointing to the possibility of participation in the life of the Holy Trinity.
This feast reminds us that through the Most Holy Theotokos, human nature becomes a bearer of grace. As the Mother of the Incarnate Word, we honor her not only as our Intercessor but also as the Icon of redeemed humanity, as the One who brought into the world the beginning of new life. Therefore, the Nativity of the Theotokos is also a feast of hope—for in her birth, we see the birth of the Church, the new Israel, the new community that will be realized in Christ. The presence of the Grace-filled One in our lives is a constant testimony to the possibility for every person to be deified, to become part of the mystery of God’s perfection. With the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the world is prepared for the greatest miracle—God will become man, so that man may become god by grace.”
For this reason, the Holy Monastery of Prechista, whose patronal feast is the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrates this great event of God’s economy for the salvation of mankind with special festivity. After last night’s festive Vespers service, crowned with the monastic tonsure of our sister Thekla, the spiritual celebration continued today with the morning service and the Divine Liturgy. The Eucharistic Mystery gathered around the Holy Table at Prechista for communal prayer and thanksgiving: our esteemed ruling Hierarch, His Eminence Timotej of Debar and Kičevo, who presided; our honored guest, His Eminence Ilia, Metropolitan of Oulu from the Church of Finland; our beloved Elder, Bishop Parthenius of Antania; our dear guest, the Venerable Elder Archimandrite Antipas from Mount Athos, along with the brothers from Bigorski Monastery and clergy from our God-protected diocese.
The church choirs were once again adorned today by the sweet and powerful voices of our dear friend, the Venerable Archimandrite Cherubim, and his honorable synodia, as well as the monastic choir from Bigorski and the choir “Metropolitan Kozma of Prechista” from Kičevo. Their voices, filled with the fear of God and prayerful warmth, led the congregation into prayerful unity with the heavens, where, together with the angels, we glorified the “Glory of the Universe,” the Virgin Mary.
This majestic and grace-filled service was attended by numerous faithful, whose numbers testified to the love and reverence for the Mother of the Lord. The people participated in the offering of the bloodless sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of the world with great spiritual joy and prayerful stillness. It was a sign of the deep unity in Christ, in which every person, whether monk, bishop, priest, or layperson, took part in the mystery of salvation through communal prayer and love.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, our esteemed Archpastor, Metropolitan Timotej, added to the liturgical celebration with an edifying homily on the feast.
