Candlemas (redirected from Presentation of Jesus at the Temple)

Candlemas (kăn`dəlməs), Feb. 2, Christian festival commemorating the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The name Candlemas is derived from the procession of candles, inspired by the words of Simeon "a light to lighten the Gentiles" (Luke 2.32). In the Roman Catholic Church the candles for use in the ensuing year are blessed on this day. An old superstition claims that the weather is foretold by the ground hog (see woodchuck) on Candlemas.

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Candlemas

(February 2) In the Christian church, the celebration of the presentation of the infant Jesus and the post-childbirth purification of Mary in the Temple, in accordance with Jewish law. The Greek church calls it Hypapante (“Meeting”) in reference to Jesus' meeting there with Simeon, to whom it had been revealed that he would not die before meeting the Messiah. The festival is first documented in Jerusalem in the late 4th century; the custom of observing it with lighted candles (the source of its name) dates to at least the mid-5th century. The popular nonreligious holiday Groundhog Day developed, in part, from the medieval tradition that certain animals interrupted their hibernation on this day.

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Candlemas

Christianity Feb. 2, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the Temple: the day on which the church candles are blessed. In Scotland it is one of the four quarter days

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Candlemas

February 2

After observing the traditional 40-day period of purification following the birth of Jesus, Mary presented him to God at the Temple in Jerusalem. According to a New Testament gospel, an aged and devout Jew named Simeon held the baby in his arms and said that he would be "a light to lighten the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32). It is for this reason that February 2 has come to be called Candlemas (or Candelaria in Spanish-speaking countries) and has been celebrated by the blessing of candles since the 11th century. In both the Eastern and Western churches, it is now known as the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple ; in the Roman Catholic Church, it was formerly called the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary . In the United States, February 2 is also Groundhog Day; in Great Britain it is said that the badger comes out to test the weather. The old rhyme is as follows:
If Candlemas Day be dry and fair,
The half of winter's to come and mair.
If Candlemas Day be wet and foul,
The half of winter's gone at Yule.
See also Candelaria; Mihr, Festival of

CONTACTS:
Orthodox Church in America
P.O. Box 675
Syosset, NY 11791
516-922-0550; fax: 516-922-0954
www.oca.org

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 111
BkDays-1864, vol. I, p. 212
BkFest-1937, p. 226
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 45
DictFolkMyth-1984, pp. 181, 186, 787
EncyChristmas-2003, p. 95
FestSaintDays-1915, p. 27
FestWestEur-1958, p. 105
FolkAmerHol-1999, p. 69
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 113
OxYear-1999, pp. 61, 63
RelHolCal-2004, pp. 90, 117
SaintFestCh-1904, p. 90

Celebration day: Feb 2

Celebrated in: Liechtenstein