Conception of the Theotokos The Conception of the Theotokos by
Saint Anna is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on December 9.
St Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, was the youngest
daughter of the priest Nathan from Bethlehem, descended from the
tribe of Levi. She married St Joachim, who was a native of
Galilee. For a long time St Anna was childless, but after twenty
years, through the fervent prayer of both spouses, an angel of
the Lord announced to them that they would be the parents of a
daughter, who would bring blessings to the whole human race. The
Orthodox Church does not accept the teaching of the Immaculate
Conception, but has also always believed 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 Christ our God.
Troparion (Tone 4) - Today the bonds of barrenness are broken, -
God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna. - He has promised
them beyond all their hopes, - To bear the Maiden of God - By
whom the Uncircum