Presentation of Christ in the Temple
By michelle | February 7, 2010
On Tuesday, before we left, we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (see Luke 2:25-35) at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New Orleans. The church was founded in 1896, making it possibly the oldest Orthodox Church in America. The present building was build in 1985; it obviously survived Katrina, although, areas right near it were devastated.
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The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
from an iconostasis beam and dating from the 12th century
at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai
This Great Feast celebrates the following event in Jesus’ life (Luke 2:25-35):
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
“ Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
