The Meeting of Jesus Christ with Simeon: A look into the story and traditions of the Feast of the Presentation.

According to the new calendar, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated on February 2nd, while in the old calendar, it was observed on February 15th. This is one of the fixed holidays in the church calendar, meaning its date remains the same each year. Traditionally, this day is often linked to the intersection of winter and spring, marking the moment when winter meets summer and the transition to warmer days begins.

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The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord is one of the oldest and most significant Christian holidays, celebrated in early February. This holiday symbolizes the encounter of Jesus Christ, as an infant, with the righteous elder Simeon, marking an important moment in the life of the Savior and humanity as a whole. On this day, believers not only remember the biblical event but also honor the folk customs that have developed around this celebration. The significance of the Feast of the Meeting, its history, traditions, and signs are discussed by UNIAN.

When is the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord Celebrated in 2025

According to the new calendar, the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord falls on February 2, while in the old calendar it was celebrated on February 15. It is one of the fixed holidays in the church calendar, so its date does not change from year to year. This day is often associated with the intersection of winter and spring, when winter meets summer, marking the transition to warmer days.

Feast of the Meeting of the Lord – Significance of the Holiday

The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, which translates to "meeting," commemorates the event described in the Bible when the 40-day-old Jesus met the righteous elder Simeon in the Jerusalem temple. This encounter fulfilled the prophecy for Simeon, who received a promise from the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Savior. The Meeting symbolizes a crucial moment when humanity, waiting for the Messiah, encountered God in the person of Jesus.

Traditions and Customs of the Feast of the Meeting

There are several important traditions associated with the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord. Specifically, on this day, believers often attend church for prayers and the blessing of candles and water. The candles blessed on this feast are known as "gromnichni" and are placed in homes for protection against bad weather, fires, and other disasters. It is believed that these candles protect against spring floods and frosts, as well as help safeguard crops.

Another tradition involves gathering water from three wells on the Feast of the Meeting, which was used for healing the sick, sprinkling livestock, and bathing children, as this water was considered healing and capable of curing.