Today’s feast, known originally as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is a relatively ancient celebration. The Church at Jerusalem observed the feast as early as the first half of the fourth century, and likely earlier. The feast celebrates the presentation of Christ in the temple at Jerusalem on the 40th day after His birth.
Inspired by the words of the canticle (“a light to lighten the Gentiles”), by the 11th century, the custom had developed in the West of blessing candles on the Feast of the Presentation. The candles were then lit, and a procession took place through the darkened church while the Canticle of Simeon was sung. Because of this, the feast also became known as Candlemas. While the procession and blessing of the candles is not often performed in the United States today, Candlemas is still an important feast in many European countries, and we should look to recovering this great feast day this side of the pond.
O Lord Christ, yourself the temple of the heavenly city, and its light, and its surpassing splendor; Grant thatwe who in this earthly house offer to you our worship, may be brought in peace to the vision of your glory in heaven; where, with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and ever. Amen.
This morning’s sung Matins at St. Alban’s had some estraordinary hymns in addition to our readings from the Church Fathers. In addition to the Nunc Dimittis, our office hymn was the Plainchant version of Templi sacratas pande (Mode II):
The Cathedral Close 