The Orthodox Church celebrates today, Sunday, February 2, the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (Hypapante), that is, the reception of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple by Elder Simeon.
It is described in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible and happened forty days after Jesus was born. According to the Law of Moses, forty days after giving birth to Jesus, Virgin Mary came to the Temple of Jerusalem along with Joseph to dedicate the infant to God. At the same time, they had to offer a pair of turtle doves or a pair of small pigeons.
An elder priest, the righteous Simeon, was living in Jerusalem at the time and at the very moment when he saw Jesus Christ in the temple, he took Him in his arms and said: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” Elder Simeon felt spiritual fulfilment and praised God, who has given him the blessing and joy to take in his arms the Saviour of the world. Jesus Christ healed the man, who is the image of the Trinity.
The faithful receive Christ’s Body and Blood during the Holy Communion, which is the gift of eternal life from God to humans.
Source: Church of Cyprus
