2 February · Candlemas
Icon of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
Forty days after the birth, Mary and Joseph bring the Child to the Temple. The old man Simeon takes him in his arms: «Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace» (Luke 2:29). The East calls this feast Hypapante, «the Meeting»: the Old Covenant welcomes its Lord.
How to read the icon
- At the centre the altar beneath a canopy (ciborium): we are in the Temple.
- On one side the Mother of God holding out the Child, or her veiled hands that have just handed him over.
- On the other, Saint Simeon, bowed, receiving the Child with hands covered by his cloak, as a sign of veneration.
- Behind him the prophetess Anna, with a scroll announcing the Messiah.
- Saint Joseph with the two turtledoves, the offering of the poor prescribed by the Law.
Meaning and gifts
In the West the feast is called Candlemas, because candles are blessed: Christ is the «light for revelation to the Gentiles» announced by Simeon. It is an icon for the presentation of a child in church, for grandparents welcoming a grandchild, for those named Simeon or Anne, for religious communities celebrating the Day of Consecrated Life on 2 February. Like every icon by Concetta Basile, it is fully gilded with 23¾ karat gold, with inscriptions in Greek or Latin, and is commissioned with an offering proportionate to the time and materials of the work.
Frequently asked questions
How do I commission a feast icon?
In the configurator choose «Liturgical feast» and enter the name of the feast; the number of figures can be changed. In the conversation with Concetta Basile you agree together on composition, size and inscriptions.