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For the Christian world, the Candlemas is a very significant event. This day marks exactly 40 days since the birth of Jesus Christ. And the Mother of God, according to the Old Testament tradition, brought the Child to the Temple in Jerusalem to dedicate Him to God.
And at that moment, that same Candlemas or meeting of the Infant with the elder Simeon, who was looking forward to this event, took place.
History
According to legend, once Simeon was translating the Old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah from Hebrew into Greek and suddenly read: “Behold the Virgin in the womb will receive and give birth to a Son.” Not the Virgin, but the wife, the elder thought and wanted to write like that, but the angel of God stopped him, saying that from now on Simeon would live until he saw the Son of the Lord, whom the Virgin would give birth to.
Righteous Simeon lived for a very long time—more than three hundred years. Perhaps he was even tired of earthly existence, but meekly awaited the fulfillment of the will of God, being at the temple.
And when he saw Mary with the Child ascending the steps of the monastery, he went out to meet them. And taking the Child from the hands of Mary, he uttered his famous song:
“Now you release your servant, Master, according to your word in peace: as my eyes have seen your salvation, if you have prepared before the face of all people: a light in the revelation of the tongue, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Translated into , this means:
“Now you release Your servant, Lord, according to Your word, in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.”
Celebration of the Candlemas began in the early centuries. And in the VI century in Byzantium it was made a public holiday.
In addition, the Presentation of the Lord is considered a youth celebration. On this day, February 15, the church traditionally celebrates the day of Orthodox youth. Some parishes even organize real balls where young people get to know each other.
Traditions
An Orthodox Christian on the day of the Meeting of the Lord must go to the temple for the liturgy. If possible, confess and receive communion. There is no special post for this holiday. But if February 15 falls on Wednesday or Friday, then it is customary to eat fish, not meat.
Troparion of the holiday:
Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mother of God, / from Thee ascend the Sun of Truth – Christ our God, / enlighten beings in darkness. / Rejoice also you, righteous elder, / accepted into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, / who grants us the resurrection.
Signs
It is believed that winter fights with spring on Candlemas. If there is frost on this day, then the cold will last for a long time, and the spring will be long and cool.
Due to the unpredictability of the weather, our ancestors tried not to travel far from home on this day. It was believed that if you went on the road to the Candlemas, you would not return soon.