Today has dawned a day of joy, and an all-reverent feast, for today, she who was a Virgin before giving birth, and remained a Virgin after giving birth, is led to the Temple. And Zacharias the Priest, the begetter of the Forerunner, cries out with joy: "The promise of those who suffer has come to the holy Temple as one holy, to be dedicated to become the dwelling place of the King of All." Let Joachim the Forefather be glad, and Anna exalt, for the spotless Lady is offered to God as a three-year-old calf. O mothers, rejoice together, O virgins, skip for joy, and O barren ones, dance together, for the Kingdom of the Heavens has been opened to us, she who was preordained to be the Queen of all. Rejoice, O people, and exalt.
-Doxastikon of the Litia, by Leo the Master
(source)
Most-Holy Theotokos, save us!
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