Synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Simeon the God-Receiver and the Holy Prophetess Anna
Categories: feast-days
Date: 03 February 2009 03:12:25
One day after the Great Feast of the Presentation of our Lord and Saviour in the Temple, the first day of the Afterfeast of this Feast, we remember the two Saints outside the Holy Family who were there: Simeon the God-Receiver [a wondrous title] and Anna the Prophetess.
When I think of St Simeon I cannot help but recall his wonderful hymn, the Nunc Dimittis, which is sung at Great Vespers on each Saturday in the Orthodox Church:
Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to Your word.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of Your people Israel.
Troparion:
In the Temple you did embrace as an infant God the Word Who became flesh,
O glorious Elder Simeon, who did hold God in your arms.
And also as a Prophetess the august Anna ascribed praise to Him.
We acclaim you as divine servants of Christ.
Kontakion:
Let Simeon the Righteous and Anna the Prophetess,
that godly pair, be praised together;
well-pleasing to God,
they became witnesses of the Incarnate Lord.
When they saw Him as an infant, together they worshipped Him.
A blessed Name Day to all Simeons, Simons, Annas and all similar names.