January 30, 2011 – Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
January 30, 2011 – Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, also known as the
Feast of the Purification and “Candlemas,” is celebrated on February 2,
to commemorate the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary
in the Jerusalem Temple forty days after Jesus’ birth. According to
Jewish law, after childbirth a woman must go to the temple to offer
“two turtle-doves or two pigeons, one for a burnt-offering and the other
for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf,
and she shall be clean” (Leviticus 12:8). In the Gospel of Luke, the
presentation of Jesus at the temple was also the occasion of Jesus’
meeting with Saint Simeon the Righteous, who “took him in his arms
and praised God,” saying, “My eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke
2:30). This blessing by Simeon is the basis for the canticle Nunc dimittis
(p. 120, BCP). When the celebration of this feast was introduced in
Rome in the seventh century, it included a procession with candles and
the singing of the Nunc dimittis, which is why this feast also became
known as “Candlemas.”
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, also known as the
Feast of the Purification and “Candlemas,” is celebrated on February 2,
to commemorate the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary
in the Jerusalem Temple forty days after Jesus’ birth. According to
Jewish law, after childbirth a woman must go to the temple to offer
“two turtle-doves or two pigeons, one for a burnt-offering and the other
for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf,
and she shall be clean” (Leviticus 12:8). In the Gospel of Luke, the
presentation of Jesus at the temple was also the occasion of Jesus’
meeting with Saint Simeon the Righteous, who “took him in his arms
and praised God,” saying, “My eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke
2:30). This blessing by Simeon is the basis for the canticle Nunc dimittis
(p. 120, BCP). When the celebration of this feast was introduced in
Rome in the seventh century, it included a procession with candles and
the singing of the Nunc dimittis, which is why this feast also became
known as “Candlemas.”
— from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,
Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.(Church Publishing Incorporated, 2000),
all rights reserved.
— from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,
Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.(Church Publishing Incorporated, 2000),
all rights reserved.
Hans Holbein, “The Presentation of Jesus,” 1500-1501
Copyright © 2011 The Episcopal Church
www.episcopalchurch.org
Hans Holbein, “The Presentation of Jesus,” 1500-1501
Copyright © 2011 The Episcopal Church
www.episcopalchurch.org
This Week in the Episcopal Church
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
February 2: On this day in 1594, Giovanni
Pierluigi da Palestrina, one of the most gifted
composers of Renaissance church music, died.
Palestrina’s first published compositions, a book
of Masses, made such a favorable an impression
on Pope Julius III that he appointed Palestrina
musical director of the Julian Chapel. Palestrina
wrote hundreds of compositions, including 105
masses, 68 offertories, at least 140 madrigals,
Palestrina (1525-1594)
and more than 300 motets. One of the hallmarks
of the “Palestrina style” of music is that dissonances are typically
confined to the “weak” beats in a measure.
February 2: On this day in 1594, Giovanni
Pierluigi da Palestrina, one of the most gifted
composers of Renaissance church music, died.
Palestrina’s first published compositions, a book
of Masses, made such a favorable an impression
on Pope Julius III that he appointed Palestrina
musical director of the Julian Chapel. Palestrina
wrote hundreds of compositions, including 105
masses, 68 offertories, at least 140 madrigals,
Palestrina (1525-1594)
and more than 300 motets. One of the hallmarks
of the “Palestrina style” of music is that dissonances are typically
confined to the “weak” beats in a measure.
To listen to a “Kyrie” by Palestrina, scan
the QR code on the left with your smart phone,
or go to http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=_rAwHgopVkQ.
To listen to a “Kyrie” by Palestrina, scan
the QR code on the left with your smart phone,
or go to http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=_rAwHgopVkQ.
February 3: On this day in 1943, four U.S. Army chaplains gave their
lives to save other soldiers during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester
in World War II. The chaplains, Methodist Rev. George L. Fox, Jewish
Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Roman Catholic Priest John P. Washington,
and Reformed Church in America Rev. Clark V. Poling, assisted
soldiers boarding lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when
supplies ran out.
February 3: On this day in 1943, four U.S. Army chaplains gave their
lives to save other soldiers during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester
in World War II. The chaplains, Methodist Rev. George L. Fox, Jewish
Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Roman Catholic Priest John P. Washington,
and Reformed Church in America Rev. Clark V. Poling, assisted
soldiers boarding lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when
supplies ran out.
February 4: On this day in 1555, John Rogers, the first Protestant
martyr under Queen Mary I of England, was burned at the stake for
heresy.
February 4: On this day in 1555, John Rogers, the first Protestant
martyr under Queen Mary I of England, was burned at the stake for
heresy.
February 5: On this day in 1736, John and Charles Wesley, Anglicans
who helped pioneer the Methodist movement, arrived in America at
Savannah, Georgia.
February 5: On this day in 1736, John and Charles Wesley, Anglicans
who helped pioneer the Methodist movement, arrived in America at
Savannah, Georgia..