Join us on Tuesday, February 1st, at 6:30 PM as we celebrate the Evening Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple.
THE SYNAXARION (Plain Reading)
On February 2 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we celebrate the Meeting (Presentation) of our Lord,
God and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple, wherein the righteous Simeon received Him into his
arms.
The Greek word for the feast is “Hypapante” [ee-pah-pan-DEE] which means “Encounter” or
“Meeting.” However, this was not just some chance encounter. This feast, which closes the cycle
of the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, reminds us that on the fortieth day after
the birth of her first-born Son, Mary carried Him to the Temple in accordance with the Mosaic
Law to offer Him to the Lord, and to ransom Him by the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two
young pigeons (Luke 2:22-37). In one of many acts of extreme humility, the divine Word thus
lowers Himself and submits to the law in order to fulfill it. This lowering is also Jesus’ first official
encounter with His people in the person of Simeon. It is not only an encounter, but also a
manifestation. Simeon bears in his arms the One he knows to be the Salvation of the world, “a
light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” His endearing prayer, as found in
the Gospel of Luke, endures in the Orthodox Church to this day. The Church considers this
celebration as a Feast of the Theotokos in praise of her role in this Presentation, and her connection
in the work of her Son. “Adorn thy chamber, O Zion, and receive Christ the King. Welcome Mary
the heavenly gate; for she hath appeared as a cherubic throne; she carrieth the King of glory”
(Aposticha of Great Vespers). The Virgin today accompanies the Child in His first offering to the
Father; she will also accompany Him even to the realization of His sacrifice for humanity.
Unto the very God be glory and dominion unto the ages. Amen.