Feast of the Presentation / Candlemas

The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, which falls on 2 February, celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. In the Eastern Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic Churches, it is one of the twelve Great Feasts, and is sometimes called Hypapante (lit., 'Meeting' in Greek). Other traditional names include Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, and the Meeting of the Lord.

The Feast of the Presentation marks the end of the Epiphany season. In the Church of Ehgland, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple is a principal Feast celebrated either on 2 February or on the Sunday between 28 January and 3 February.


Graphic: Meeting of the Lord, Orthodox Icon from Belarus