Ss. Joachim and Anna who asked the Lord for children promised that they would devote their child to God. When Mary was three, Her parents brought Her into the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill their vow. The details of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple can be found in early Christian sources.

Many relatives and friends of Joachim and Anna together with many young girls gathered in Nazareth before the celebration of the Theotokos’ Presentation to accompany Her on Her way to the Temple. All of them went to Jerusalem which is three days walk from Nazareth. When they entered Jerusalem and purified themselves with a seven-day fast and prayer according to the regulations for those who present a sacrifice to the Temple, Ss. Joachim and Anna together with people who accompanied them came to the Temple with their three-year-old Daughter Virgin Mary.

Fifteen steps led to the Temple. The holy Parents of the Mother of God prayerfully put Mary on the first step. Surprisingly to all who were present, Mary quickly climbed the steps and was greeted by the High Priest Zechariah, father of John the Baptist. Blessed Virgin Mary was led to the Holy of Holies to denote Her special role of becoming the Mother of our Savior. Entry into the Holy of Holies was prohibited not only to women but even to priests. The High Priest himself entered it once a year having prepared himself with fasting and prayer to offer blood sacrifice. Thus the Virgin Mary was led into the Holy of Holies like the ancient ark of the testimony (Cf. Exodus 26: 33, 34) which symbolized the Mother of Christ, the Redeemer of the world.

After placing their Daughter under the will of Heavenly Father her aged parents went back home.

Church tradition says that while the Virgin Mary stayed in the Jerusalem Temple she was protected by angels like the ark of testimony. However, the earthly life of Our Lady is covered with mystery and is known only to God.

Ss. Joachim and Anna are an example of pious parents who brought their child up well.

It is quite easy to imagine how difficult it was for an elderly couple to say goodbye to their only beloved Child who was just three years old. But their sorrow was overcome by trust in God to whom they devoted their child, by believing that He who gave life to this child would be able to nurture it and bring it up rightly. Today we should try to view our children not from the viewpoint of our egoism, but with gratitude to God who called them into life, and make life with God – the greatest good – the purpose of our teaching.