Conception of the Virgin Mary
Encyclopedia
The Feast of the Conception of the Virgin Mary is a liturgical holiday celebrated by the Orthodox Church on December 9, marking the conception of the Virgin Mary by her mother Saint Anne
.
This feast is not ranked among the Great Feasts of the church year, but is a lesser-ranking feast (Polyeleos
).
Unlike the Roman Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception
, celebrated on December 8, the Orthodox feast is not a perfect nine months before the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
(September 8) as it is in the West, but a day later.
She believes that the Virgin Mary was, from her conception, filled with every grace
of the Holy Spirit
, in view of her calling as the Mother of God; She does not teach that she was conceived without original sin
, as their understanding of this doctrine differs from the Roman Catholic articulation.
Most Orthodox do affirm that Mary is "all-holy" and never committed a personal sin during her lifetime (a notable exception to this belief is St. John Chrysostom
, who said that she sinned by presumption at the Marriage at Cana
).
Saint Anne
Saint Hanna of David's house and line, was the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ according to Christian and Islamic tradition. English Anne is derived from Greek rendering of her Hebrew name Hannah...
.
This feast is not ranked among the Great Feasts of the church year, but is a lesser-ranking feast (Polyeleos
Polyeleos
The Polyeleos is a festive portion of the Matins or All-Night Vigil service as observed on higher-ranking feast days in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches...
).
Unlike the Roman Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is celebrated on 8 December, nine months before the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on 8 September. It is the patronal feast day of the United States and the Republic of the...
, celebrated on December 8, the Orthodox feast is not a perfect nine months before the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Nativity of the Theotokos
The Nativity of the Theotokos, celebrating the birth of Mary, is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Eastern Orthodox liturgical year. It is celebrated on September 8 on the liturgical calendar .According to the sacred tradition of the Orthodox Church,...
(September 8) as it is in the West, but a day later.
Contrast with Immaculate Conception
While the Orthodox Church has never accepted the Roman Catholic dogma of the Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin. It is one of the four dogmata in Roman Catholic Mariology...
She believes that the Virgin Mary was, from her conception, filled with every grace
Divine grace
In Christian theology, grace is God’s gift of God’s self to humankind. It is understood by Christians to be a spontaneous gift from God to man - "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved" - that takes the form of divine favour, love and clemency. It is an attribute of God that is most...
of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
, in view of her calling as the Mother of God; She does not teach that she was conceived without original sin
Original sin
Original sin is, according to a Christian theological doctrine, humanity's state of sin resulting from the Fall of Man. This condition has been characterized in many ways, ranging from something as insignificant as a slight deficiency, or a tendency toward sin yet without collective guilt, referred...
, as their understanding of this doctrine differs from the Roman Catholic articulation.
Most Orthodox do affirm that Mary is "all-holy" and never committed a personal sin during her lifetime (a notable exception to this belief is St. John Chrysostom
John Chrysostom
John Chrysostom , Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic...
, who said that she sinned by presumption at the Marriage at Cana
Marriage at Cana
In Christianity, the transformation of water into wine at the Marriage at Cana or Wedding at Cana is the first miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John....
).