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The Virgin Mary: A Celebration of Our Faith: Session 2: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple—Senior Group


Theme Of Lesson: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Sub-Theme Mary’s holliness and purity

Objectives:

  • Describe the event of Mary's entrance into the Temple.
  • Explain why or how Mary's cooperation with God was an essential part of our salvation.
  • List and explain the characteristics of the life of the Virgin Mary that make her an example for us to follow.

Resources:

  • Bible
  • Bible Aids
  • The following website will give you the Apocryphal writing of the noncanonical Gospel of James (Protoevangelian) that has the texts used in the feasts for the Theotokos. -- [url=http://wesley.nnu.edu/noncanon/gospels/gosjames.htm]http://wesley.nnu.edu/noncanon/gospels/gosjames.htm[/url] [Section VI for the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple]
  • Psalm 45: 13 – 17


Liturgy, Feasts, Hymns

Troparion of the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotkos into the Temple (Tone 4)
Today is the prelude of the good will of God,
of the preaching of the salvation of mankind.
The Virgin appears in the temple of God,
in anticipation proclaiming Christ to all.
Let us rejoice and sing to her:
Rejoice, O fulfillment / of the Creator's dispensation!

Kontakion Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple (Tone 4)
The most pure Temple of the Savior, / the precious Chamber and Virgin,
The sacred Treasure of the glory of God / is presented today to the house of the Lord.
She brings with her the grace of the Spirit / which the Angels of God do praise.
Truly this woman is the Abode of Heaven!

Activities

  • Compare in a chart the verses from Psalm 45 to the Troparion and Kontakion of the Feast.


Icons

  • A copy of the icon will be included, as well as the section from The Icon Book.

Teacher’s Notes & Discussion-Starter Questions:

  • What does it mean to be a "living Temple of God? In what ways can we become "Living Temples of God"? Why is it so difficult to be a living temple?
  • Why was it necessary for Mary to be recognized by the High Priest as worthy for the "Holy of Holies"? In what way was her entrance into the temple a necessary action leading to our own Salvation?