‘My soul glorifies the Lord. My soul rejoices in God my savior. Blessed are those who listen and practice God’s word!’ The birthday of the Virgin Mary, who accepted to be God’s mother, was celebrated with Holy Rites held in Orthodox Churches.
The Birth of the Virgin Mary is celebrated every year on September 8, according to church tradition. For this holy day, special ceremonies were held in all the churches of Hatay, especially in Iskenderun and Antakya. These ceremonies were held in accordance with the rules and with limited participation within the framework of pandemic measures.
The liturgy in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Iskenderun was led by Father Yusuf Nichola Papasoğlu, while the liturgy in Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Antakya was held under the leadership of Father Dimitri Doğum and Father Can Dellüler. Father Dimyan Yakupoğlu and Father Trifon Yumurta conducted the service at the Samandağ Saint İlyas Greek Orthodox Church.
In the rituals in which candles were lit and prayers were said, statements were made about the birth of the Virgin Mary, her religious education and her dedication to God. Blessed bread was also distributed to the participants at the end of the rites.
Mary Miraculously Born to Yovakim and Anna
According to church tradition, Mary, Mother of God, was born to Yovakim and Anna, to an aged and barren parent. According to the Old Testament understanding, infertility was considered a shame. In this situation which was in one way connected with sin, they were deprived of the blessing of the birth of a savior from their descendants and on the other hand, tradition tells us that God sent his angel to Yovakim and Anna, and that God would wipe this shame off them with the birth of the Virgin Mary. (SAT-7 Türk/İlyas Edip TERBİYELİ – İskenderun)
