After the Visitation, Saint Joseph and Our Most Holy Mother of God journeyed to Bethlehem because they needed to register for taxation. Saint Joseph also took with them his son from his first marriage, Saint Iakovos the Brother of the Lord.
A Prayer: When the time came for Your Advent on Earth, the first census of the Roman world was conducted. Then it was that You began to record the names of those who would believe in Your Birth. Such a decree was published by Caesar, because the timelessness of Your Eternal Kingdom was revealed anew. And now, we in our turn, above and beyond a monetary tax, bring to You the wealth of Orthodox Theology, O God and Saviour of our Souls.
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On their journey to Bethlehem, Our Most Holy Mother of God rested on this rock, now known as the Seat of the Virgin Mary.
