Holy and Just Simeon Who Received God and the Prophetess Anna; Post-feast of the Encounter
Hebrews 9:11-14; Luke 2:25-38
Read Luke 2:25-38
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
In the Byzantine Liturgical Tradition the first day after a major feast is usually dedicated to the memory of those who cooperated with the wondrous work of the Lord God. The day after the Nativity of our Lord is dedicated to our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos. The day after the great feast of Theophany is dedicated to the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. Today we commemorate the Holy and Just Simeon Who Received God and the Prophetess Anna. Many Israelites longed and prayed for this glorious day, but not everyone was able to recognize the moment of their visitation. Both of them lived a holy, faith filled, righteous life dedicated to the service of the Lord. Their loving dedication, righteous living and longing for the Divine was blessed with the great privilege of encountering the Lord’s Christ. They exemplify for us the path that both men and women are to travel to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ. Venerable Bede commenting on the two of them says,
“Simeon and Anna, a man and a woman of advanced age, greeted the Lord with the devoted services of their professions of faith. As they saw him, he was small in body, but they understood him to be great in his divinity. Figuratively speaking, this denotes the synagogue, the Jewish people, who, wearied by the long awaiting of his incarnation, were ready with both their arms (their pious actions) and their voices (their unfeigned faith) to exalt and magnify him as soon as he came. They were ready to acclaim him and say, “Direct me in your truth and teach me, for you are my saving God, and for you I have waited all the day. What needs to be mentioned, too, is that deservedly both sexes hurried to meet him, offering congratulations, since he appeared as the Redeemer of both.” (Homilies on the Gospels 1.18.1).