21 November
Icon of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple
Joachim and Anne bring the three-year-old Mary to the Temple to dedicate her to God. The high priest Zechariah welcomes her and leads her into the Holy of Holies, where no one could enter: she who will become the living temple of God enters the temple of stone.
How to read the icon
- At the centre the little Mary, with the proportions and garments of a grown woman, climbing the Temple steps towards Zechariah.
- Behind her Joachim and Anne and a procession of maidens with lit lamps.
- Above, in a corner, Mary seated on the steps of the Holy of Holies, fed by an angel.
The meaning
The feast, born in Jerusalem in the 6th century, celebrates the consecration of an entire life to God. This is why the icon is given for a religious profession, a consecration, entry into seminary, a first communion, and to girls named Mary. Like every icon by Concetta Basile, it is fully gilded with 23¾ karat gold, with inscriptions in Greek or Latin, and is commissioned with an offering proportionate to the time and materials of the work.
Frequently asked questions
How do I commission a feast icon?
In the configurator choose «Liturgical feast» and enter the name of the feast; the number of figures can be changed. In the conversation with Concetta Basile you agree together on composition, size and inscriptions.