The Orthodox Christians following the Julian Calendar on September 21 celebrate the Nativity of the Theotokos or the birth of Mary, which is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Eastern Orthodox liturgical year and one of the four great feasts dedicated to the Holy Virgin, priest Eugen Onikov, of the Chisinau Church “Saint Panthelemon”, has told IPN.

According to the sacred tradition of the Orthodox Church, Mary was born to elderly and previously barren parents by the names of Joachim and Anna (now saints), in answer to their prayers. The Orthodox considers that Mary was kept free from actual sin by God's grace. “Sin and death came through the first Eve, while through the second Eve there came the Savior,” said the priest.

Many churches, settlements and families also celebrate their day on this feast. The women called Mary celebrate the name day.

More than 129,000 women in Moldova bear the name Mary.