Church of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple in Chernevo
The Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, the second of the twelve Great Feasts of the Theotokos, is celebrated on December 4 according to the new style during the Nativity Fast. According to Tradition, the feast was established in memory of how the parents of the Virgin Mary, the righteous Joachim and Anna, fulfilling their vow, brought their three-year-old daughter to the Jerusalem Temple to be dedicated to God. The three-year-old Mary ascended the high steps by herself, and the High Priest Zechariah, by divine inspiration, led her into the Holy of Holies – the inner altar, where he himself usually entered only once a year. From that moment began the life of the Theotokos at the Temple, filled with prayer, the study of the Holy Scriptures, and handicrafts. The essence of the feast is the glorification of the Virgin Mary as the perfect vessel of Divine presence, embodying purity, humility, and readiness to follow God’s will. It reminds the faithful of the importance of spiritual dedication. Traditionally, on this day, people attend the festive divine service, pray before the icons of the Mother of God, and hold religious processions. There is also a pious custom of bringing children to their first confession. Starting from the Feast of the Presentation, Christmas hymns begin to be heard in the services, marking the beginning of preparation for the Nativity of Christ. In honor of this feast, the upper tier of the church in Yuzhnoye Butovo was consecrated, the construction of which began in 2011. The minor rite of consecration took place on April 19, 2018, and from 2014 to 2018, the church was attached to the Patriarchal Metochion in Chernevo. By the blessing of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, a Patriarchal Metochion was established. The parish conducts active social, missionary, and youth work: a Sunday school, theater and art studios operate, and educational projects are implemented. Social service is organized to help those in need, assistance is provided to the Special Military Operation (SVO) and the Valuyki hospital, and there is cooperation with School No. 2009.
Address: Moscow, Yuzhnobutovskaya St., 64
