The Presentation of the Lord
In Praesentatione Domini
The Presentation of Jesus is an early episode in the life of Jesus Christ, describing his presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated by many churches on February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas, on Candlemas or the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the temple. The episode is described in chapter 2 of the Gospel of Luke. Within the account, "Luke's narration of the Presentation in the Temple combines the purification rite with the Jewish ceremony of the redemption of the firstborn (Luke 2, Luke 2:23–24)."
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Presentation of Jesus at the temple is celebrated as one of the twelve Great Feasts, and is sometimes called Hypapante (Ὑπαπαντή, "meeting" in Greek).
The Orthodox Churches which use the Julian Calendar celebrate it on 15 February, and the Armenian Church on 14 February.
Next
Readings at Mass
Every year
- First Reading
- Mal 3:1-4
- Second Reading
- Heb 2:14-18
- Gospel Acclamation
- Lk 2:32
- Gospel
- Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32