Reflections on the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord by Metropolitan ALEXIOS
My Beloved Ones
As we continue through the period of Triodion, today gives us an opportunity to look behind us, to Christmas, and ahead, to Holy Week, as we consider the virtue of patience.
Today, February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas, marks The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple. Mary and Joseph, being devout, remembered the command that the first-born son was to be taken to the Temple 40 days after birth, and dedicated to God. The parents were expected to make a sacrifice. If they were wealthy, they were to offer a lamb, a pigeon or a young turtledove. However, as His guardian and Mother, Joseph and Mary, were poor, they offered the option of two turtledoves.