Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"And behold, there was man in Jerusalam, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel.  The birth of the Lord is attested not only by Angels, Prophets and shepherds, but also by elders and just men.  Every age, and both sexes, as well as the wonders of the events themselves, are here present to strengthen our faith.  A virgin conceiveth, a barren woman beareth, a dumb man speaketh, Elisabeth prophesieth, the wise man worshippeth, the unborn child leapeth, the widow praiseth, and the just man waiteth.


Well is he called just, who looked not for favour for himself but for consolation for his people.  He desired to be set free from the bondage of this frail body, but he waited to see the Promised One; for he knew that blest are the eyes that see him.  Then took he him up in his arms, and blest God, and said: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.  Behold a just man, confined in the weary prison of the body, desiring to depart, and to begin to be with Christ. For it is far better to depart and be with Christ.


Whosoever will depart and be with Christ, let him come into the temple.  Yea, let him come, as to Jerusalem, and wait for the Lord's Christ.  Let him take hold on the Word of God, let him embrace the same with good works, as it were with arms of faith.  Then let him depart in peace, for he who hath seen Life, shall not see death.  Behold how the Lord's birth doth overflow with abounding grace for all, and prophecy was not denied except to the unbelieving.  Behold, Simeon prophesieth that the Lord Jesus Christ is come for the fall and rising of many.  Yea, he shall separate the just from the unjust by their deserts.  And according as our work shall be, so shall the true and righteous Judge command us to be punished or rewarded."

-- From a homily by St Ambrose

** The painting is by Ambrogio Lorenzetti

Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"In honor of the divine mystery that we celebrate today, let us all hasten to meet Christ. Everyone should be eager to join the procession and to carry a light.
     Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendor of the one who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright out souls should be when we go to meet Christ.
     The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance o the true light a we hasten to meet him.
     The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God.
     The true light has come, the light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Let all of us, my brethren, be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let all of us share in its splendor, and be so filled with it that no one remains in the darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go together to meet and to receive with the aged Simeon the light whose brilliance is eternal. Rejoicing with Simeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God, the Father of the light, who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendor.
     Through Simeon's eyes we too have seen the salvation of God which he prepared for all the nations and revealed as the glory of the new Israel, which is ourselves. As Simeon was released from the bonds of this life when he had seen Christ, so we too were at once freed from our old state of sinfulness.
     By faith we too embraced Christ, the salvation of God the Father, as he came to us from Bethlehem. Gentiles before, we have now become the people of God. Our eyes have seen God incarnate, and because we have seen him present among us and have mentally received him into our arms, we are called the new Israel. Never shall we forget this presence; every year we keep a feast in its honor."


-- From a sermon by St Sophronius


** This feast is also known as the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple