Posts tagged with presentation.
The Bible makes no reference to Mary’s childhood. The Koran however recounts a few stories from Mary’s early life, including her living in the Temple in Jerusalem:
Thereupon her Lord accepted her with a gracious acceptance, and made her grow up in a worthy fashion, and He charged Zachariah with her care. Whenever Zachariah visited her in the sanctuary he would find provision with her. He said, ‘O Mary, from where does this come for you?’ She said, ‘It comes from God. God provides whomever He wishes without any reckoning.’ (Surah Aal-e Imran 3:37)
The altar of the Presentation of Mary in the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Tabernacle
In the holy tabernacle I served before him; and so was I established in Sion.
Likewise in the beloved city he gave me rest, and in Jerusalem was my power.
- Epistel of the Presentation of Mary, Ecclesiasticus 24:10-11
De Tempelgang van Maria
A 15th century print depicting Mary’s presentation in the temple from Leiden, the Netherlands.
(Source: rijksmuseum.nl)
Today is the feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple.
The feast is based on a story from the apocryphal Infancy Narrative of James. According to that text Mary’s parents brought their daughter to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her to God. This happened when Mary was a young girl and she remained in the Temple until puberty.
The painting above by Titian shows Mary climbing the steps of the Temple, while the high priest awaits her.
