November 21st - The Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God Into the Temple

“Today is the prelude of the benevolence of God and the herald of salvation of men, for the Virgin plainly appears in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all.  Let us also with full voice cry out to Her: Hail, fulfillment of the Creator’s plan!”  (troparion).  “The most pure temple of the Savior, the richest palace, and the holy treasury house of the glory of God today enters into the house of the Lord,, bringing grace which is in the Sprit of God.  The angels of God sing to Her: This is the heavenly tabernacle!” (Kontakion). [Source]

Presentation of Mary
"Sacred Scripture contains no text concerning the event commemorated in today's liturgy. For something of a historical background one may consult the apocryphal works, particularly the Protoevangel of St. James (ch. 4:1ff). After an angel had revealed her pregnancy, Anna is said to have vowed her future child Mary to the Lord. Soon after birth the infant was brought to the sacred precincts at which only the best of Israel's daughters were admitted. At the age of three she was transferred to the temple proper (7:2). According to legend, here she was reared like a dove and received her nourishment from the hand of an angel (8:1). [Catholic Culture]