On November 21, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Presentation of Virgin Mary to the Temple in Jerusalem, who is later to become the Mother of God after giving birth to the incarnation of the Son of God. Old scripts testify that at 3 years of age Mary was presented to the temple to be taught and raised in faith and spiritual purity and thus, to get prepared for her great mission. The Presentation of Virgin Mary to the Temple is also marked as the Day of the Christian Family and Christian Youth.

“On this day more than 2000 years ago St. Mary’s entire family lived through the great joy – the greatest and purest service in order to be able to become the receptacle of the Mercy of God as we praise in the gospel”, theologian Professor Ivan Zhelev explains. “This feast has been established with an accent on children. However, after 1944 (the start of the socialist regime), the Church was deprived of the right to work for the education and up-bringing of the young. So it remained just ‘The Day of Christian Family’. Nowadays it is again covering both Family and Youth, because the family is of crucial importance for the strength of the society, while children and youth are a basic value for the family and the community.”

Parents are those who direct children to the Temple of God, so that they grow up in virtue and good thought. “It’s a pity for those who fail to realize that duty”, Prof. Zhelev further points out. “When we – the parents, show them love and care, when we show trust and understanding of their problems, we show our personal example of virtue. The contribution of teachers, tutors and clergymen does not lift that duty from the parents. However, being present in the temple physically is of no use if a person is not taught and brought up into holiness.” And that is attained through the church sacraments, which introduce believers to the temple.

“The baptizing is called ‘entrance sacrament’ – through it we enter the Church. It is not a magical act, even though it is a mystery in its sacred and religious sense. It gives us the opportunity to become Christians, but it does not automatically make us such. Unfortunately many remain simply ‘christened non-Christians’ because they have failed to intake the Christian faith and follow Christian morality to prepare their souls for eternal life. The Church marriage is a serious vow in the face of God, for love and faithfulness, to love in sacrifice, the way Christ loved the Church and have himself in for it. Through the sacrament of marriage we take up enormous responsibility. In this sacrament everything boils down to difficult rational, emotional and volitional processes. In case we have not reached the understanding that we should comply with them the way the Church has it, we better not undertake that burden. All who approach baptizing and marriage with responsibility are happy people here on earth, and God will reward them in due time.”

According to Professor Ivan Zhelev, Sunday schools and discussions organized by some schools not only stir interest but are also of good use, but that does not happen in all temples. However, in latter years there is a growing tendency of reviving the tradition of going to church to follow the sermons and liturgies, of marrying in church and baptizing one’s children.

“It was brought back to life after the political changes in this country, when the fear from the atheistic authorities crumbled down”, Prof. Zhelev goes on to say. “At a certain point this tradition even became a “fashion”, but that fashion is not only useless, but also harmful. The most important thing is the relationship with the Church and its sacraments to become a conviction and enter one’s everyday life. There is no vacation for these essential values. The human soul is constantly in need of spiritual nourishment. If we live a life into Christian values within the community of believers, it always transpires, and does true good to us and those around.”

English version: Iva Letnikova