Test Your Knowledge About Candlemas Day With This Quiz

The statement is referring to a tradition that is now called the Presentation of the Lord. It is also called the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Feast of the Holy Encounter. 

Candlemas Day has been celebrated since the 4th century AD. It is one of the oldest feasts of the church. The celebration has roots in both Christian and pagan traditions, with customs varying across cultures.

Candlemas, since 1774, is always celebrated on a Sunday in both the Church of Sweden and Finnish Lutheran churches, at the earliest on 2 February and at the latest on 8 February, except if this Sunday happens to be the last Sunday before Lent. 

Candlemas is a Christian holiday that commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary. According to tradition, Candlemas was first celebrated in Jerusalem, as this is where the events it commemorates took place. The celebration later spread to other parts of the world, including Russia, America, and India. 

In the Bible, Jesus referred to himself as the Light of the World. This can be found in the Gospel of John, where Jesus states, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). This metaphorical reference highlights Jesus' role as the source of spiritual enlightenment and guidance for believers.

Candlemas, also known as "Dia de la Candelaria" in Spanish speaking countries, is a religious holiday celebrated on February 2nd. It is a day that commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary. In many Spanish speaking countries, this day is marked by various traditions, such as processions, feasts, and the blessing of candles. The name "Dia de la Candelaria" directly translates to "Day of the Candelaria," which refers to the candles that are blessed and lit during the celebrations.

Until 1969, Candlemas was known as The Purification of the Blessed Virgin in the Roman Catholic Church. This refers to the ritual purification of Mary, which took place 40 days after the birth of Jesus, in accordance with Jewish law. The name was changed to The Presentation of the Lord in 1969 to reflect a broader focus on the presentation of Jesus in the temple.

The Greek Church celebrated baby Jesus' meeting in the Temple of Jerusalem with Simeon. Simeon was a devout and righteous man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon recognized Him as the fulfillment of this promise and praised God for allowing him to see the salvation of Israel. Simeon's joyful encounter with baby Jesus is commemorated by the Greek Church.

Christians bring candles with them to their local church on this day and use them for the rest of the year when they have their candles blessed. This practice is commonly observed by Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and Methodists.

The celebration of Candlemas initially gained popularity around the time of the Plague of Justinian in 541 AD. This significant historical event marked the outbreak of a severe pandemic that had a profound impact on the Eastern Roman Empire, leading to the increased observance of Candlemas within the Christian community as part of religious practices during challenging times.