In this video, we learn about the presentation of the young Christ to the priest in the temple. We also see how this tradition continues to take place in the Church today.
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In the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple, two young pigeons are offered to God’s House by Joseph and the Theotokos. They thank God in offering their material goods. The promise to Symeon is fulfilled as he sees with his own eyes the Savior; the prayers of the prophetess are answered as she beholds the Redeemer because the Lord blesses those who follow Him. Faithful Stewardship is our acknowledgement that Jesus is the Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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Listen to hymns from the Presentation of Christ to the Temple
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This feast, celebrated on February 2, is known in the Orthodox Church as The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Another name for the feast is The Meeting of our Lord. Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians call the feast, The Purification of the Holy Virgin. About 450 AD in Jerusalem, people began the custom of holding lighted candles during the Divine Liturgy of this feast day. Therefore, some churches in the West refer to this holy day as Candlemas. The Feast of the Presentation concludes the observances related to the Nativity of Christ, a period that opened on November 15 with the beginning of the Nativity fast.
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To Orthodox Christians who read the Gospel with the eyes of faith, the presentation of Christ in the Temple constitutes a high and holy Feast of the Church. For on this day a great milestone is attained in the course of our salvation.
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