On February 15, all Orthodox believers celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. On this great day, the baby Jesus was brought to the Jerusalem temple and dedicated to God.
The meaning of the holiday
The word "meeting" is translated as "meeting". Holy Virgin together with her husband they brought their firstborn on the fortieth day after his birth to the temple to receive the sacrament of baptism. There they were met by Simeon the God-Receiver. He, in the person of all mankind, met our God. A great and revered man, he was in the temple for a reason. The Holy Spirit Himself led him to fateful meeting. At one time he was translating the Holy Scriptures and was surprised by the prophecy of Isaiah. In the book it was written: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son.” A heavenly angel descended to him and proclaimed that the old man would not leave this world until he saw the prophecy fulfilled. Simeon did not change anything and wrote down the translation word for word. At the time of the baptism of the baby Jesus, the old man was of advanced age and, according to legend, lived about three hundred years. Simeon submitted to God's will and predicted to his surprised parents the coming changes in the lives of all mankind.
Celebration of the Presentation of the Lord on February 15
Every year on February 15, Orthodox Christians visit the temple and glorify our Lord. On this important day for Christians, festive services are held in all cathedrals and churches. Main prayer millions of people say from the bottom of their hearts, strengthening faith in God and his merciful will:
“Gracious Virgin Mary, rejoice. From Your immaculate womb the Lord appeared, illuminating our path in darkness. Rejoice, too, Elder Simeon, who received into the arms of the Lord, the Liberator of our souls, granting them resurrection. Amen"
On the day of celebration, during the service, a ceremony of lighting candles takes place. This tradition dates back to early Christianity, but is still maintained today. Everyone takes the blessed candles into their home and lights them throughout the year until the next holiday during prayers, as well as during illnesses and ailments. It is believed that they have the gift of healing the bodies and souls of people, relieving them of worries and misfortunes. During times of illness, our ancestors lit such a candle and placed it next to the icon at the head of the patient. Reading prayers contributed to a quick recovery and a prosperous future life.
On this bright holiday, it is necessary to remember that a joyful event should not be overshadowed bad mood. Helping those in need on this day is considered an even greater mercy, so it is considered good sign leave change to those asking, and also make good deeds. Mutual assistance will always be encouraged and elevate human souls above the devil's machinations. Love each other and don't forget to push the buttons and
09.02.2017 03:10
In Orthodox church calendar A special place is given to holidays dedicated to our Savior. They remind you of important...
In Orthodoxy, every holiday reminds us of some important event from the life of Jesus Christ, the Virgin...
Easter, Christmas, Trinity, Palm Sunday– Perhaps everyone knows these church holidays. And on February 15, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Great Meeting. On this day, they remember the events described in the Gospel of Luke - the meeting of the baby Jesus with the elder Simeon in the Jerusalem Temple on the fortieth day after Christmas.
When is Candlemas celebrated?
Candlemas always falls on February 15th. And it never moves, unlike many church holidays. The meeting took place 40 days after the Nativity of Christ. If Candlemas falls on the Monday of the first week of Lent, which happens very rarely, the festive service is moved to the previous day - February 14.
What does the word "meeting" mean?
Meeting is translated from Church Slavonic as “meeting.” This holiday describes a meeting that took place on the fortieth day after the Nativity of Christ. Mary and Joseph arrived from Bethlehem to the capital of Israel, Jerusalem. With the forty-day-old Infant of God in their arms, they stepped onto the threshold of the Temple to bring established by law a thanksgiving sacrifice to God for the firstborn. After the ceremony was completed, they already wanted to leave the temple. But then an ancient old man, who was considered the oldest man in Jerusalem, named Simeon, approached them.
Why did Mary and Joseph arrive at the temple with the forty-day-old Infant of God?
At that time, with the birth of a child in a family, the Jews had two traditions. After giving birth, a woman could not appear in the Jerusalem Temple for forty days if she gave birth to a boy. If a daughter was born into the family, then 80 days should have passed. Once the period has expired, the mother must bring a cleansing sacrifice to the temple. It included a burnt offering - a one-year-old lamb and a sacrifice for the remission of sins - a dove. If the family was poor, then instead of a lamb they could bring a dove.
In addition, if a boy was born in a family, then the mother and father came to the temple on the fortieth day with the newborn for a rite of dedication to God. This was not just a tradition, but the law of Moses: the Jews established it in memory of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt - liberation from four centuries of slavery.
Although Jesus was born as a result immaculate conception, the family, out of respect for Jewish law, decided to make a sacrifice. Two doves became the cleansing sacrifice of Mary and Joseph - the family was not rich.
Who is Simeon the God-Receiver?
According to legend, at the time of his meeting with Christ, Simeon was more than 300 years old. He was a respected man, one of 72 scholars tasked with translating the Holy Scriptures from Hebrew to Greek. It was no coincidence that the elder ended up in the temple - he was brought by the Holy Spirit. Once upon a time, Simeon was translating the book of the prophet Isaiah and saw the mysterious words: “Behold, the Virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son.” The scientist doubted that a virgin, that is, a virgin, could give birth, and decided to correct “Virgo” to “Wife” (woman). But an Angel appeared to him and forbade him to do this. He also said that Simeon would not die until he was personally convinced that the prophecy was true.
On the day when Mary and Joseph came to the temple with a baby in their arms, the prophecy was fulfilled. Simeon took into his arms the baby born of the Virgin. The old man could die peacefully.
Bishop Theophan the Recluse wrote: “In the person of Simeon, the entire Old Testament, unredeemed humanity, passes into eternity in peace, giving way to Christianity...” The memory of this gospel story is heard every day in Orthodox services. This is the Song of Simeon the God-Receiver, or in other words, “Now you let go.”
Who is Anna the Prophetess?
On the day of the Presentation, another meeting took place in the Jerusalem Temple. An 84-year-old widow, “the daughter of Phanuel,” approached the Mother of God. The townspeople called her Anna the Prophetess for her inspired speeches about God. She lived and worked at the temple for many years, as the Evangelist Luke writes, “serving God day and night with fasting and prayer” (Luke 2:37 – 38).
Anna the prophetess bowed to the newborn Christ and left the temple, bringing the news to the townspeople about the coming of the Messiah, the deliverer of Israel. A Holy Family returned to Nazareth, having fulfilled everything prescribed by the law of Moses.
The meaning of the Feast of the Presentation
Meeting is a meeting with the Lord. The prophetess Anna and Elder Simeon left their names in the Holy Scriptures because they gave us an example of how to accept the Lord with a pure and open heart. Meeting is not just a great holiday and a day from distant New Testament history. Perhaps every person at least once in his life finds himself in the house of God - in the temple. And there his personal Meeting takes place - a meeting with Christ.
Customs and traditions for Candlemas
The custom of consecrating church candles on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord came to Orthodox Church from Catholics. This happened in 1646. Metropolitan of Kiev Saint Peter (Mogila) compiled and published his missal. The author described in detail the Catholic rite of religious processions with lit lamps. On these days, the pagan Celts celebrated Imbolc, the Romans celebrated Lupercalia (a festival associated with the shepherd cult), and the Slavs celebrated Gromnitsa. It is interesting that in Poland, after the adoption of Christianity, the Presentation began to be called the feast of the Gromnica Mother of God. This is an echo of the myths about the thunder god and his wife. People believed that Sretensky candles could protect a house from lightning and fire.
On this day they began to celebrate the meeting of winter with spring. This is where the sayings came from: “On Candlemas, winter met spring,” “On Candlemas, the sun turned to summer, winter turned to frost.” After the holiday, the peasants began many “spring” tasks: they drove the cattle out of the barn into the paddock, prepared seeds for sowing, and whitewashed fruit trees.
What the weather would be like in the spring was determined by this day. It was believed that if it was cold on Candlemas, then the spring would be cold. If there is a thaw, then expect a warm spring.
There are many great and important holidays in Orthodoxy, one of them is Candlemas. This day is both joyful and sorrowful, reminds us of the past and fills us with thoughts about the future, about eternal life.
The Orthodox holiday of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated by believers annually on February 15. If the date falls on the days of Lent, then the holiday is celebrated modestly, without “sweeping”. Its meaning is special, and not at all the one that people are used to giving it, believing that it is on this day that winter meets spring.
Origin of the holiday
Translated from Church Slavonic, “Sretenye” means “meeting.”
The family fulfilled the Old Testament custom: on the 40th or 30th day after the birth of the child (depending on gender), the mother was obliged to come to the holy monastery to make a ritual cleansing sacrifice.
Mary brought a pair of pigeon eggs - such a sacrifice was allowed only to the poor. After bringing her, the priest took the child from the mother’s hands into his own and highly understood him, turning towards the altar. This meant handing over the child to God. At the same time, he read prayers for the offering of a ransom and thanksgiving for the birth of his first child.
On this holiday, Orthodox Christians remember how His parents brought Jesus Christ to the Jerusalem Temple. Elder Simeon met him there. The Lord foretold him long life- he must not die until he sees the newborn Savior of the world. Simeon, taking Christ in his arms, exclaimed that this was the child who would save the entire human race. This is how the meeting of the Old and New Testaments and the acquaintance with the Messiah took place.
Anna the prophetess, an 84-year-old woman, was present at the meeting in the temple. She, looking at the baby, also recognized Him as the Son of God. They glorified the Lord together.
Simeon died with a calm heart at the age of 360 years. He was never afraid of death, but waited for it. He told everyone that he held the Messiah in his hands!
Important! Hence the custom of cleansing women after childbirth on the 40th day has been preserved. Usually at this time the mother brings the child to church, special cleansing prayers are read over the woman, after which she, as a full parishioner, will again be able to attend services and participate in the sacraments.
Although the Virgin Mary had no need for purification, because she was the source of purity and holiness, she, with deep humility, submitted to the dictates of the law.
Meeting of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ
The divine essence of the holiday
The history of the event of the Presentation of the Lord comes from the very event of the meeting of the newborn Messiah and the Most Pure Mary with the righteous Simeon. IN spiritual sense this meeting is symbolic of the meeting of the Old and New Testaments.
The name of the gray-haired old man who met the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus in the temple is “Simeon,” which translated means “listening.”
Believers try to observe holiday traditions:
- people visit the temple and try to take communion;
- parents try to baptize their children on this day;
- if it is not possible to attend church, then people pray at home;
- at the end of the service, the candles are blessed and parishioners take them home;
- everyone tries to do good, help those in need, take care of their relatives;
- before the holiday, people clean up the house, but on February 15, any work is prohibited;
- It is customary to give each other icons of the Mother of God.
Meeting of the Lord. Miniature. Minology of Vasily II. Constantinople. 985 Vatican Library. Rome
Bans on Candlemas
- You can’t swear or use foul language;
- prohibited from practicing physical labor, do needlework, wash clothes, work in the garden;
- people tried not to wash on the holiday, but it was still permissible to take a shower (the interpretation of the ban is as follows: in order to heat a bathhouse, you need to chop wood, bring water, look after the stove - and this is all work);
- It is not recommended to travel on Candlemas; it is believed that the road may end badly for travelers.
The exception to various works is those cases when the work is aimed at the benefit of other people, and the travel is a pilgrimage.
Pagan traditions
- on the holiday, the chickens were fed especially generously, they were given a lot of hay and feed to increase their eggs and excellent offspring;
- a count of winter reserves was made: grain, oats, bread - if half of what was stored remained, then everything was fine, but if less, then it was time to “tighten the belt;
- housewives baked breads, pancakes, pies and other delicacies of exclusively round shape, glorifying the Sun and treating all those who suffered;
- people walked, sang, danced, had fun, being bored and grieving was forbidden and was considered a bad omen;
- they burned an effigy - the goddess of Love, the basis of which was straw and branches, the outside was decorated with flowers, ribbons, and they put on specially sewn festive bright clothes;
- when the sun reached the heavenly zenith, people performed a ritual: they called for a rich harvest and warm days;
- lovers asked the goddess of Love for harmony in relationships, mutual understanding, happiness and protection; Nativity of Christ. On Candlemas, priests bless candles and water before custom-made prayer services; parishioners then collect it and take it home.
During the period of his earthly life, Jesus Christ called all people to Himself, and now He calls every person to faith and righteous living, and to those who come to Him He gives grace, peace of mind, Salvation and eternal life.
Watch the video about Candlemas
Orthodox believers on Wednesday, February 15, celebrate the Presentation of the Lord - one of the 12 main church holidays. The word “sretenie” in the Old Church Slavonic language means “meeting”, and the second meaning of this word is “joy”. Meeting is a meeting of humanity in the person of Elder Simeon with God...
Holiday
The Feast of the Presentation originated in the Church of Jerusalem and appeared in its liturgical calendar in the 4th century. Initially, it was perceived not as an independent holiday, but as a day completing the 40-day cycle after the Feast of the Epiphany.
Presentation is one of the Lord's feasts, dedicated directly to Christ, but in its liturgical content it is extremely close to the feasts of the Theotokos. And in ancient times, in its origins, it was considered as a holiday dedicated to the Mother of God.
Candlemas symbolizes the meeting of the Old and New Testaments. Bishop Theophan the Recluse wrote: “In the person of Simeon, the entire Old Testament, unredeemed humanity, passes into eternity in peace, giving way to Christianity...”
On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, before the start of the Divine Liturgy, at the end of the rite of 6 o'clock, on the pulpit in front of the Royal Doors, the blessing of candles takes place, and their subsequent distribution to the believers.
Folk beliefs and traditions on the Presentation of the Lord
There are a number of church and pagan traditions associated with the Presentation. Very often they are so closely intertwined that it is difficult to find the roots of rituals and customs.
To make it easier for the Slavs to accept the new faith, the church fathers already used existing analogy- the holiday of the meeting of Winter and Spring, celebrated in the same period as the Presentation of the Lord. The modified customs of this day became church canons.
The main one is the blessing of candles for Candlemas.
According to tradition, during the festive service in the church, candles are blessed and then distributed to parishioners. Such candles were highly valued and were always brought home and stored for a year.
in the old days it was believed that they were able to protect a house from storms and tornadoes, crops from hail and violent winds, and a person from lightning strikes, the evil eye and diseases.
The first time the loud candle was lit immediately after coming home from church - “so that the spring wind would not damage the crops, and so that the frost would not kill the trees.”
During the same year, the candle was lit in the following cases:
- if terrible bad weather was raging over the house,
- if a fire or other natural disaster started nearby,
- if there were difficulties during childbirth,
- if a person is “caught by a black disease” (epilepsy),
- if a person was dying (with this candle, it was believed that the deceased would be able to leave the world of the living more calmly and easily).
The second important tradition for Candlemas is the blessing of water.
Sretenskaya water from the church was valued on a par with Epiphany water. By itself ancient tradition, water was not carried to the temple to be blessed, but collected from melting, dripping icicles.
Sretenskaya water was used in the following cases:
- for the treatment of wounds and internal diseases,
- from the evil eye and witch spells,
- they sprinkled it on soldiers before battle and on Chumaks before a campaign,
- at the beginning of the season, beekeepers sprinkled the hives with it,
- The same water was sprinkled on livestock during the first pasture after winter.
What not to do on Candlemas
What not to do on the Presentation of the Lord
The prayers offered on this day help every believer. On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, one should concentrate on spiritual life, analyze one’s actions, ask for forgiveness for sins and do good. There is also a list of things that it is better to refrain from.
Work ban. On Candlemas, the church prohibits any work except those that serve the benefit of people. Making money is considered a sinful activity on February 15th. The only exceptions are those professions that are aimed at helping others. These are medical, rescue and other services that, through their actions, bring benefits to people’s lives.
Alcohol ban. The Church does not approve of alcoholic drinks, which cloud the mind and make people dependent on their bad habits. It is believed that all harm comes from the evil one, and only saving prayers allow Christians to fight the devil’s temptations every day and continue the righteous path.
Ban on household chores. Cleaning and washing are the lot weekdays. During the celebration, it is customary to devote time to God and prayers to cleanse the soul and find the righteous path. This is also a time to communicate with relatives and do good deeds.
Prohibition of quarrels and swear words. Foul language is one of the deadly sins and turns Heaven away from a scolding person. Swearing destroys a person's connection with By higher powers and deprives him of patronage and protection.
Ban on washing. Washing in the old days was a lot of hassle. It was necessary to carry water, chop wood and heat the bathhouse. Hard work on holidays was not welcomed, so it was customary to wash the day before in order to meet the bright date with a clean not only soul, but also body. IN modern world The church does not prohibit washing if it is necessary. Exceptions include entertainment events and idle time in a bathhouse or sauna.
Ban on handicrafts. While doing this you can forget about going to church and communicating with God. The Church allows handicrafts if they do not take up all the time and do not turn a person away from prayer. Naturally, it is not forbidden to repair torn clothes or sew them in order to wear them.
Prohibition on fortune telling and rituals. Orthodox Christians, true believers in God, cannot practice magic and in every possible way deceive the fate destined by the Higher powers. Trying to look into the future challenges God's plan and is sinful.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is marked by solemn church services and the blessing of candles. On this day yours good mood and humility before God cleanses the soul and contributes to happiness.
Folk signs for Candlemas
Since in Slavic tradition Meeting is a turning point, when Winter meets Spring and “fights” with it for the first time. February 15 is associated with a lot of signs about the weather, the harvest, and in general about what the coming year will be like.
Here are the main signs for Candlemas:
- If on the night of Candlemas the sky is clear and all the stars are visible, you should expect a large fruit harvest this year.
- If a thaw begins on Candlemas, wait for late spring.
- Strong wind on this day - bad sign for the harvest.
- Clear and calm weather is a joy for the beekeeper, because it portends an extremely successful year.
- What is the weather at Candlemas, such will be the spring.
- If the sky is starry, then spring will be late.
- If the sun comes out before sunset, the last frosts have passed, and if it doesn’t show up, then there will be severe Vlasyev frosts.
- On the Meeting of the Drops there is a harvest for wheat, and if there is a blizzard, then there will be no bread.
- On Candlemas, a blizzard sweeps the road and sweeps up food (towards a crop failure).
- On Candlemas morning, snow is a harvest of early bread; if at noon - medium; if in the evening - late.
What kind of holiday is this, the Presentation of the Lord, which is associated with the rite of the Old Testament tradition of dedicating a newborn baby to God on the 40th day, interests many. Holy Mother of God brought little Jesus to the center of spiritual life - the Jerusalem Temple. According to the Law, on the 40th day, in the temple, through the prayers of the priest, the mother must be cleansed of ancestral blood. But in the case of the Mother of God, Her coming symbolizes deep humility before the Law. As a Virgo, she did not have to undergo this ritual.
Sretensky Day is one of the great church holidays. What date of the Presentation of the Lord 2018 is celebrated is easy to remember, because the date is constant. This holiday is celebrated annually on February 15th. The Feast of the Presentation is one of the Christmas holidays (Christmas, Epiphany and Presentation).
According to Holy Tradition, Elder Simeon was waiting for Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple. He was a translator of books, translating the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Simeon doubted the prophecy about the birth of the Mission.
It sounded like a virgin was about to give birth to a Son. Simeon wanted to correct the word “virgin” to “wife,” but was stopped by an angel who suddenly appeared to him. He predicted to Simeon that he would live until he saw the Son of God.
According to Holy Tradition, Elder Simeon was waiting for Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple
What kind of holiday this is, the Presentation of the Lord, which took place according to angelic prophecy at the hour appointed by God, is evidenced by further events.
Elder Simeon is also called the Receiver of God. He blessed the baby Jesus on his 40th day of birth. By dedicating the Mother of God to Her future trials as a mother and telling Her the mission of Jesus Christ. The icon “The Presentation of the Lord” is dedicated to this event.
Elder Simeon is also called the God-Receiver
The word itself is translated as meeting. At the same time, Elder Anna lived near the temple, who also had the gift of prophecy. As soon as she saw Jesus, she began to praise God and the newborn baby.
Anna is often depicted in icons with Joseph the Betrothed, the adoptive father of Jesus. This is the only case where the father, and not the child, was adopted.
Description of the holiday icon
What kind of holiday this is, the Presentation of the Lord, can be seen by examining the iconography. The execution of the composition of this meeting can be symmetrical, where the Mother of God is depicted with her Son and Elder Simeon receiving him in his arms, and asymmetrical - with the image of the path to the temple of the Mother of God, the angel, Joseph and Anna the fortuneteller.
What kind of holiday is this, the Presentation of the Lord, can be seen by examining the iconography
In the first case, the saving, sacrificial role of Christ is emphasized, and in the second, participation in this role Mother of God, as intercessors of the entire human race.
In the Roman basilica there is the oldest mosaic representation of the Presentation of the Lord in precisely this composition. It symbolizes unshakable obedience and fulfillment of the Law. After all, the Virgin Mary was pure, and she did not need to participate in the purification rite of her mother, nevertheless, she strictly observed all the temple rites of that time.
The Lord said: I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Thus confirming the power of His own Word. The icon of the “Meeting of the Lord” with stamps, dated to the 17th century, depicts more than one event that preceded the meeting of Elder Simeon with divine baby Jesus.
Gradually, this redundancy of the plot, according to the decision of the icon painters, became more specific. Because they thought that there was too much information on the icon, and it distracted from the main event.
Canonical icons often depict little Jesus in the arms of the Mother of God, embraced by Elder Simeon. Or, while he is waiting, he sees a solemn procession headed by the Mother of God approaching him.
Church celebration traditions
The main tradition of the Orthodox celebration of the Presentation of the Lord is borrowed from Catholics. This rite is recorded in the breviary of Bishop Peter Mohyla of Constantinople, a great ascetic of the Orthodox faith. In Catholicism, this holiday is called “Bright Mass” and believers stand with burning candles throughout the service.
In Catholicism, this holiday is called “Bright Mass” and believers stand with burning candles throughout the service.
In Orthodoxy, the tradition is to consecrate candles, which are then called Sretensky candles. They are used in home prayer for severe illnesses, quarrels, light during severe bad weather.
After the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to walk around the home with a Sretensky candle, consecrating it with prayer from wickedness and misfortune.
After the Divine Liturgy, it is customary to walk around the home with a Sretensky candle, consecrating it with prayer from wickedness and misfortunes
Before or after the Divine Liturgy, according to the decision of the priest, a water blessing prayer is served. The water is used in the same way as any other holy water. Take on an empty stomach or as needed.