Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple



Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, by Matthew D. Garrett Baptism of Our Lord, by Matthew Garrett


February 2nd remembers the Virgin Mary's offering of the forty day-old Christ in the Temple, at the completion of her period of ritual uncleanness following his birth (Lk. 2:22-39)., Although the all pure Virgin had no personal need for cleansing, she appeared in the Temple in order to fulfill the Mosaic Law (Lev. 12:2-8; Ex. 13:2, 13; Num. 3:13; 8:16-18)..

The icon features SS. Symeon and Anna, who met them in the Temple precincts, and the righteous old man in ecstacy proclaimed the words chanted daily during vespers: "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 to be the glory of thy people, Israel."

This feast was celebrated in Jerusalem from at least the fourth century. It spread to other regions in the following two centuries.

The icon on the left was done through the St. John of Damascus Icon Studio, and is part of a festal tier in the iconostasis of the Chapel at Camp Nazareth.

The icon on the right was commissioned by St. Peter and St. Paul Albanian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia