Nativity of the Theotokos Wishes

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The Nativity of the Theotokos (the birth of the Virgin Mary) is one of the major church holidays of the year, known in Ukrainian folk tradition as the Second Feast of the Most Pure. Since the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the Revised Julian calendar in 2023, it is celebrated on September 8 (Old Style communities mark it on September 21). It coincides with the ancient harvest-thanksgiving feast of Osinyny. Here you will find short wishes, messages for mom and family, poems and traditions. Wishes for other holidays of the year are in our holiday wishes calendar.

The next feast of the Mother of God is Pokrova (October 1), and in spring — the Annunciation.

Short wishes for the Nativity of the Theotokos

• Happy Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos! Peace, kindness and God’s grace to your family.
• Happy Second Feast of the Most Pure! May the Mother of God protect your home.
• Happy Nativity of the Mother of God! Health, warmth and a generous harvest.
• Happy great feast! May there be light in your heart and peace in your home.
• Happy Nativity of the Holy Virgin! Love, faith and hope.

Heartfelt wishes

• Happy Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos! May the Mother of God embrace you with her love, protect you from trouble and give you peace. I wish health to you and your loved ones, peace in your home and a generous autumn.
• Happy feast day! On this day it is customary to give thanks for the harvest and pray for children. May all your prayers be heard and your family be healthy and happy.
• Happy Nativity of the Mother of God! May this feast bring warmth, harmony and joy into your home, and may faith help you in everything you do.

For mom and grandma

• Mom, happy Nativity of the Theotokos! You are the dearest person in my life. May the Mother of God protect you and give you health and joy.
• Grandma, happy Second Feast of the Most Pure! Thank you for your prayers for us. May the Lord give you strength and many years.
• Mom, happy great feast! I wish you peace in your heart, warmth in your home and your grandchildren close by.

For family and friends

• Dear family, happy Nativity of the Mother of God! May love and harmony always reign in your home.
• Friends, happy feast day! May the Mother of God protect you and your families, and may autumn be generous with joy.

What to write on a holiday card

• Happy holiday! May your home always be filled with warmth, peace and joy.
• Best wishes! Bright thoughts, good health and people around you worth celebrating with.
• May this day bring calm and every day after it a reason to smile.
• With warmth and best wishes to you and your family on this holiday!

A small bouquet goes well with a card: flowers turn even a few lines into a special gift.

Greeting loved ones from afar

• A video call — agree on a good time so the whole family can talk without rushing.
• A voice message — a real voice feels warmer than text, especially for grandparents.
• Flower delivery — a bouquet with a card delivered on the holiday morning makes a lovely surprise.
• A family video — collect short wishes from all your relatives and send them as one clip.

Poems for the Nativity of the Theotokos

On the Nativity of the Mother of God,
May she protect your home and heart,
May blessings bless the paths you trod
And light and peace never depart!

May the Holy Mother guard your door
And spread her mantle over you,
May joy and grace be yours and more
And every blessing see you through!

Holiday traditions

• People attend the festive church service and pray for their children and family.
• They give thanks for the harvest — the feast coincides with the ancient Osinyny.
• Families set a festive table and invite relatives and godparents.
• People give bouquets in soft, mostly light shades.

Another day for honoring mothers is Mother’s Day, and the first August Savior feast is described in our Honey Savior Day wishes.

Flowers for the feast

Light bouquets suit the Nativity of the Theotokos: white and cream roses and tender arrangements. They symbolize purity and warmth — a lovely gift for mom or grandma.

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More ideas in our white flowers and flowers for mom collections.

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FAQ

When is the Nativity of the Theotokos in Ukraine?

September 8, according to the Revised Julian calendar adopted in 2023 by the OCU and UGCC. Old Style communities celebrate on September 21.

Why is it called the Second Feast of the Most Pure?

Because in the Ukrainian folk calendar it is the second autumn feast of the Mother of God after the Dormition (the First Feast of the Most Pure).

What should I wish on this feast?

Peace, health, God’s protection for the family and children, a generous harvest and warmth at home.

The First Feast of the Most Pure is the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15).

Saint Anna is the mother of the Theotokos; greet women named Anna with Anna name day wishes.

A September feast: Exaltation of the Cross wishes (14 September).

The Third Most Pure feast: Presentation of the Theotokos wishes (21 November).

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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