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The feast of the Presentation of Mary is not based on a Biblical event, but rather an incident mentioned in the Infancy Narrative of James. According to that text, Mary's parents, Joachim and Anne were childless, but received a heavenly message that they would bear a child. In thanksgiving for this gift of heaven, they brought their daughter to the Temple to consecrate her to God. The event is considered doubtful by most commentators, as it goes entirely against Jewish tradition.The Catholic Church maintains an optional memorial to commemorate this event on November 19, while the Orthodox Churches celebrate it as one of their twelve Great Feasts on November 21.
