FEB 1: VESPERS – 6:00 PM; FEB 2: DIVINE LITURGY – 6:30 PM, BLESSING OF CANDLES (LIVE-STREAMED); FEB 3 – DIVINE LITURGY – 6:00 PM, BLESSING OF CANDLES.
FR. VASLY’S MESSAGE FOR TODAY: Father Vasyl’s message for February 2 2023
PROPERS VESPERS: 02-02_Meeting_Vespers
PROPERS DIVINE LITURGY: 02-02_Meeting_DL (1)
Streaming via Facebook Live. https://www.facebook.com/saintscyrilandmethodius/
Parishes live-streaming in the Diocese can be found here: https://www.eparchyofpassaic.com/livestream
THE BLESSING OF CANDLES: ON THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE A TRADITION OF THE BYZANTINE RITE (From the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh): https://archpitt.org/the-blessing-of-candles-on-the-feast-of-the-presentation-of-our-lord-in-the-temple-a-tradition-of-the-byzantine-rite/
On February 2nd we celebrate forty days after Christmas the Feast of the Encounter of Our Lord with Simeon & Anna. The event is described in the Gospel of St. Luke (2:22-40). From the words of this Gospel, we read about the presentation of our Lord by his parents in the Temple in Jerusalem on the fortieth day from His birth & His meeting with Simeon and the prophetess, Anna. Thus, the feast emphasizes the obedience of Mary and of Jesus to the law, and that Jesus was truly a man-child born of a woman. Simeon and Anna are representatives of the people of the Old Testament who looked forward eagerly to the coming of the Messiah. Recognizing Him, they praise God. The words of the elder Simeon have become a fixed part of the service of Vespers in the Byzantine Rite, hailing the coming of the Lord as a light in darkness. This light is the light of spiritual illumination, and revelation – particularly the revelation of God’s saving plan to both the people of Israel, and the people of “the nations” outside Israel.
Metropolitan Cantor Institute: Meaning, Icon and Liturgical Services for the Feast: https://mci.archpitt.org/liturgy/Meeting.html
This feast is also known as Candlemas Day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in today’s liturgy. The term “Candlemas” (or Candle Mass) refers to the practice whereby a priest on February 2nd blesses beeswax candles for use throughout the year, some of which were distributed to the faithful for use in the home.
Following this Holy Day we celebrate on Feb 3rd the significant saints of the Holy Day – Simeon and Anna or the Synaxis of the Holy Prophets Simeon and Anna. The final day of the feast is February 9th.
