Light of the World

Candlemas Vespers

Candlemas—also known as the Presentation of Our Lord, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, Hypapante, or even Groundhog Day—marks the 40th day following the Nativity, when Mary and Joseph took the Christchild to the Temple in Jerusalem. Here the prophets Simeon and Anna proclaimed Him not only the glory of His people Israel, but also a Light to reveal God to the nations. In honor of Christ as the Light of the World, we bless candles on this day for liturgical use both at home and in the sanctuary.

A Reading from Luke’s Gospel:

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
    which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

A Candlemas Sermon, by St Sophronios of Jerusalem (AD 560-638):

Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendour of the one who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ.

The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him.

The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God.

The true light has come, the light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Let all of us, my brethren, be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let all of us share in its splendor, and be so filled with it that no one remains in the darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go together to meet and to receive with the aged Symeon the light whose brilliance is eternal.

Rejoicing with Symeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God, the Father of the light, who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendor.

Through Symeon’s eyes we too have seen the salvation of God which he prepared for all the nations and revealed as the glory of the new Israel, which is ourselves. As Symeon was released from the bonds of this life when he had seen Christ, so we too were at once freed from our old state of sinfulness.

By faith we, too, embraced Christ, the salvation of God the Father, as he came to us from Bethlehem. Gentiles before, we have now become the people of God. Our eyes have seen God incarnate, and because we have seen him present among us and have mentally received him into our arms, we are called the new Israel.

Never shall we forget this presence; every year we keep a feast in his honour.

Candle Blessing:

The Phos Hilaron is the earliest known Christian hymn outside of the Bible. Let us pray.

O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ
In You the Father’s glory shown
Immortal, holy, blest is He
And blest are You, His holy Son

Now sunset comes, but light shines forth
The lamps are lit to pierce the night
Praise Father, Son, and Spirit: God
Who dwells in the eternal Light

Worthy are You of endless praise,
O Son of God, life-giving Lord;
Wherefore You are through all the earth
And in the highest heaven adored. Amen.

Before the throne burn seven lamps of fire, which are the seven spirits of God. Brothers and sisters, we are gathered to give thanks to God, and we seek His blessing as we set apart these candles to the glory of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray.

O God, who revealed to us the vision of Your Son in the midst of candlelight, and of Your Spirit in seven lamps of fire before Your Throne; how often do we kindle light during vigils of community grief and on occasions of community celebration.

Grant that these candles, to be used for Your glory, may be to us signs of Your presence, of the promise of eternal Light, and of Christ, the Light of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.