The Great Feast of the Presentation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Temple
Categories: hymns, feast-days
Date: 02 February 2010 09:56:27
Troparion - Tone 1:
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace!
From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God.
Enlightening those who sat in darkness!
Rejoice, and be glad, O righteous elder;
You accepted in your arms the Redeemer of our souls,
Who grants us the Resurrection.
Kontakion - Tone 1:
By Your nativity, You did sanctify the Virgin's womb,
And did bless Simeon's hands, O Christ our God.
Now You have come and saved us through love.
Grant peace to all Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of man!
Today, February 2, is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church: The Presentation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Temple. Through the account in Luke's Gospel [2:22-40], we have knowledge of two witnesses of this wonderful event: the Elder Simeon with his most wonderful song, which is recited at Vespers in the Orthodox Church:Lord, now you 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.and the Prophetess Anna, who served God in the Temple by fasting and prayers. Therefore this Feast is also known as The Meeting of Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, because the hymns for the Feast emphasise the Incarnate God, Jesus Christ, meeting with his people, Israel, in the persons of the Elder Simeon and the Prophetess Anna. A blessed Feast Day to all!