According to the Law of Moses, all Hebrew parents must bring
their first born son on the fortieth day after birth to the Temple to be consecrated to God. It was the custom to bring a
sacrifice in thanksgiving to God. The law was established in remembrance of the
exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt — freedom from slavery — when the first-born Hebrews were
spared from death.
In fulfilment of this law, the Mother of God with
Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem and brought for the sacrifice two fledgling doves.
At this time in Jerusalem, there lived an old man by the name of Simeon. He was a
righteous, pious man, and he awaited the coming of the Messiah. It was foretold
to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not have died before he had seen Christ
the Lord. Simeon waited for the fulfilment of the promise of God for a long
time. According to tradition, he lived about 300 years. Then, one day, by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he went to the Temple. When Mary with Joseph brought the infant Jesus, Simeon
met the Child, took Him in his arms, and glorifying God said, "Now lettest
Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word, for mine
eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all
peoples, a light of revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people
Israel."
Simeon called the newborn Lord as "a light
to enlighten the Gentiles" (that is, all the tribes and nations) and
"the glory of Thy people," — that is, "Israel." There are two Israels: in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. In the Old
Testament, it was the chosen Hebrew people or Israelites, and in the New
Testament — the whole Orthodox Christian world.
Joseph and the Mother of God marvelled at the
words of Simeon. Simeon blessed them; and turning to the Mother of God, he prophesied
to Her about the Child: "Behold, this Child is
set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; yea, a sword shall pass through Thy own soul, also."
The meaning is that She Herself would endure profound grief over Her Son when
He would suffer.
There was, in the Temple, the pious widow Anna, a prophetess, an eighty-four year old widow, who served God with fasting
and prayers night and day. She recognized the Saviour and, coming in that
instant, glorified the Lord and spoke of Him to all of those in Jerusalem who awaited the coming to earth of Christ the Saviour.
When they had performed all things according to
the Law of the Lord, the Mother of God with the Child and Joseph returned home.
This event, in which Saints Simeon and Anna met
in the Temple the infant Christ presented by the Mother of God and Joseph
and glorified Him, is called the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord and is
celebrated in the Holy Orthodox Church as one of the great feast days on the 2nd
of February (February 15th NS).
The righteous Simeon is called the God-receiver,
that is, he who received in his hands God the Saviour.
Note: See
the Gospel of Luke, 2:22-39.
Troparion of the Feast.
Rejoice, Thou Who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for
from Thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ
our God, enlightening those in darkness. Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder,
as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who
also granteth unto us the Resurrection.
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