37. The Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple

Details

Russian, around 1800
35.8 x 30.4 cms

Provenance:
Private collection, Switzerland.

Description:
The feast day of the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple is celebrated on November 21.

When Anna conceived, she promised her child in gratitude to God to serve Him. Mary, aged 3 years, is taken to the temple by her parents: there she is greeted by the high priest Zacharias. He blesses her. Joachim and Anna are behind Mary. Because Anna and Joachim feared that the young girl might turn around, the virgins, carrying a burning candle, stood behind Mary. Undistracted, Mary did not turn around.

According to the Gospel of James, the Virgin lived in the temple until the age of 12 years: there she was prepared for her important task of being the Mother of God.