Presentation of the Theotokos Wishes

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The Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple is celebrated on 21 November under the Revised Julian calendar (4 December before 2023). It recalls how the righteous Joachim and Anna brought three-year-old Mary to the Temple in Jerusalem to dedicate her to God. In Ukrainian folk tradition it is called the Third Most Pure feast, after the Dormition and the Nativity of the Theotokos. Ukraine also marks the Day of Dignity and Freedom on the same date. Below are wishes for family, mothers and goddaughters, folk beliefs, poems and flower ideas. Wishes for other holidays of the year are in our holiday wishes calendar.

Feasts of the Theotokos: Dormition wishes, Nativity of the Theotokos wishes; also Day of Dignity and Freedom.

Short Presentation wishes

• Happy Presentation of the Theotokos! May the Mother of God protect your family.
• Happy Third Most Pure feast! Peace, love and warmth in your home.
• May the Presentation fill your heart with light and your home with joy.
• Happy feast day! May the Theotokos grant health, calm and protection to everyone you love.

For a mother, grandmother or goddaughter

• Mum, happy Presentation! As the Theotokos protected the world, you protect our family. Thank you for your love.
• Grandma, may the Mother of God grant you health and many years with your grandchildren.
• My goddaughter, may the Most Holy Theotokos guide you along a bright path through life.

For family and friends

• Friends, happy Presentation! May your homes always have peace and your hearts faith and hope.
• My dear family, may this feast bring calm, warmth and good news from those far away.
• May the Theotokos cover our defenders with her protection and bring them home.

Folk beliefs about the Presentation

• A folk saying goes: "The Presentation is the start of winter." The weather that day was used to forecast the winter: frost meant a good harvest, a thaw a mild winter.
• By custom, people lent nothing from their homes and avoided quarrels on this day, so the whole year would be peaceful and generous.

Two holidays on one day

• 21 November is both the Presentation and the Day of Dignity and Freedom. May faith and dignity always go hand in hand in every Ukrainian's life.
• Happy Presentation and Day of Dignity! Peace, freedom and God's blessing to our land.

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.

Presentation poems

The Third Most Pure has come to call,
The first light frost has touched the field,
May the Mother of God protect you all
And may your homeland be your shield.

A feast of light, a feast of grace,
The start of winter, faith's warm glow,
May joy shine bright on every face
And peace be with you as you go.

Flowers for the Presentation

Gentle bouquets in pink, white and pastel shades suit the Presentation, as they evoke the purity and light of the feasts of the Theotokos. Flowers make a lovely gift for a mother, grandmother or goddaughter, or can be brought to church. A large bouquet of pink roses is a warm gift from the whole family.

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See pink roses and flowers in a box.

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FAQ

When is the Presentation of the Theotokos in 2026?

On 21 November, under the Revised Julian calendar.

Why is it called the Third Most Pure feast?

It is the third autumn feast of the Theotokos, after the Dormition (First) and the Nativity of the Theotokos (Second).

What should not be done on this day?

By folk custom: quarrelling, lending things from the home and doing heavy work.

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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