February 2, 2025: The feast of the Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple
Glory to You, Almighty King and Sustainer of the universe. In Your love for mankind You came to earth. You spent nine months in the Virgin’s womb, and she rejoiced at Your presence within her. Like every infant, You were taken to the temple, and everyone who saw You was filled with awe and wonder: The altar rejoiced to finally see its Lord in the flesh; the temple was glad, Mary and Joseph were amazed, and Simeon exulted to hold the Lord in his arms. Simeon sang a hymn of praise:
Dismiss me now in peace, O Lord, for my eyyes have seen Your compassion. Dismiss me in peace from life’s weariness. Dismiss me that I may go to the dwelling of the dead and announce to them that their salvation is at hand. Today I am ransomed from life’s imprisonment. This is the day of gladness and rejoicing. This is the day the One Who receives sacrifices comes to offer sacrifice. Today the temple passes like a cloud for the sun has dawned.
With Simeon and Anna, let us say:
The Lord has appeared and He is our Savior. He is my God, Whom I shall praise.
Prayer from the Fenqitho. A treasury of feasts according to the Syriac-Maronite Church of Antioch.