Today is the church feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. The Mother of our God was born for our sake and our salvation, as a bridge of life taking us to eternity. The stichera sung during Vespers says that, thanks to this event “the barrenness of our nature is dispelled.” As we glorify the Mother of God, we strive to free our souls from barrenness, so that not only with our lips we could exalt the most glorious Nativity of the Mother of God but to yield the fruit of holiness and eternal life.

The festive celebration began in the Trinity Cathedral with Little Vespers and the akathist to the Nativity of the Theotokos followed by Vigil served in the Trinity Cathedral and the Church of Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. The presence of Metropolitan Georgiy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas imparted a special solemnity to services held in the Trinity Cathedral as he joined to share the joy of the feast with us.

At the end of the vigil service, His Eminence Georgiy addressed the faithful present in the cathedral with the archpastoral word calling on everyone to join the example of the life of the Holy and Righteous Ancestors of God Sts. Joachim and Anna. The descendants of kings and high priests, they meekly endured the scorn of others about their childlessness. The head of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolitanate pointed out that by their virtues, meekness and humility, purity and righteousness, they prepared themselves for the birth of the More Honorable than the Cherubim and More Glorious than the Seraphim, Who will be called as blessed by all generations. Metropolitan Georgiy remarked that it is impossible to inherit eternal life and avoid bearing a cross. In sickness and sorrow, we shouldn’t despair that the Lord abandoned us. Instead, we have to remember that in times of trial we must learn patience and trust in the Lord.