Saint of the Day February 2, 2003
Presentation of the Lord
At the end of the fourth century, a woman named
Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Her journal,
discovered in 1887, gives an unprecedented glimpse of
liturgical life there. Among the celebrations she
describes is the Epiphany (January 6), the observance
of Christ’s birth, and the gala procession in honor of
his Presentation in the Temple 40 days later—February
15. (Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was ritually
“unclean” for 40 days after childbirth, when she was
to present herself to the priests and offer
sacrifice—her “purification.” Contact with anyone who
had brushed against mystery—birth or death—excluded a
person from Jewish worship.) This feast emphasizes
Jesus’ first appearance in the Temple more than Mary’s
purification.
The observance spread throughout the Western Church in
the fifth and sixth centuries. Because the Church in
the West celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25, the
Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 days after
Christmas.
At the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius
inaugurated a candlelight procession; at the end of
the same century the blessing and distribution of
candles which continues to this day became part of the
celebration, giving the feast its popular name:
Candlemas
love + prayers,
Joseachayan / Jeddah / Saudi Arabia
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