INTRODUCTION The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8 each year. The Feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. BACKGROUND The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded inthe Gospels or other books of the New Testament, however this information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion. According to the story found in this book, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, were childless for many years. They remained faithful

INTRODUCTION The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8 each year. The Feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. BACKGROUND The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded inthe Gospels or other books of the New Testament, however this information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion. According to the story found in this book, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, were childless for many years. They remained faithful