The Great Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple

Forty days after the Great Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, we come to the Great Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, otherwise known as ‘Candlemass’.

This feast celebrates the meeting of the incarnate God, Our Lord Jesus Christ, with His people Israel, in the persons of the Prophet Simeon and Prophetess Anna.

Troparion

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

By Your nativity, You did sanctify the Virgin’s womb,
And did bless Simeon’s hands, O Christ God.
Now You have come and saved us through love.
Grant peace to all Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of man!