CandlemasCandlemas

It is a Christian festival commemorating It is a Christian festival commemorating the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

Juan Díaz RíosJuan Díaz RíosLuis Miguel San Martín Luis Miguel San Martín FernándezFernándezMario Gómez Vázquez Mario Gómez Vázquez Arturo Rubio Muñoz Arturo Rubio Muñoz

ScriptureScriptureAccording to the Gospel of Luke, Mary and According to the Gospel of Luke, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn, in obedience to the Law of of the firstborn, in obedience to the Law of Moses. Moses.

Now you are releasing your servant, Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; Master, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people nations, and the glory of your people Israel. The elderly prophetess Anna was Israel. The elderly prophetess Anna was also in the Temple, and offered prayers also in the Temple, and offered prayers and praise to God for Jesus, and spoke to and praise to God for Jesus, and spoke to everyone about Jesus and his role in the everyone about Jesus and his role in the redemption of Israel.redemption of Israel.

Early images concentrated on the moment Early images concentrated on the moment of meeting with Simeon, typically shown at of meeting with Simeon, typically shown at the entrance to the Temple, and this is the entrance to the Temple, and this is continued in Byzantine art and Eastern continued in Byzantine art and Eastern Orthodox icons to the present day. In the Orthodox icons to the present day. In the 8th or 9th century, it was a representation 8th or 9th century, it was a representation of Simeon wearing the elaborate of Simeon wearing the elaborate vestments attributed to a Jewish high vestments attributed to a Jewish high priest, and conducting a liturgical priest, and conducting a liturgical ceremony surrounded by the family and ceremony surrounded by the family and Anna.Anna.