Religious tradition Candlemas

Candlemas, also known as 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, is a Christian feast day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple by Joseph and Mary. It is based upon the account of the presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:22–40. (from Wikipedia)

The holiday commemorates an event from the Gospels  when, according to Jewish custom, Jesus' mother Mary brought her son to the Temple in Jerusalem on the 40th day after his birth to dedicate him to God as the firstborn.

The Feast of the Presentation or Purification is one of the oldest feasts of the church.

Christmas was, in the West, celebrated on 25 December from at least AD 354 when it was fixed by Pope Liberius. Forty days from 25 December (inclusive) is 2 February.

There are many different customs in European countries and in America as well how this day - 2nd February - is celebrated.

In Hungary Candles have been placed on doorknobs as good luck charms. In America  many churches hold special services to bless beeswax candles used for the coming year, while some also commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary.

• Some families light candles and place them in windows, a tradition rooted in warding off winter darkness and storms.
• Connection to Groundhog Day: The day is linked to the secular Groundhog Day, as both stem from European folklore where sunny weather on Candlemas predicted a longer winter, and cloudy weather meant an early spring.
• Many parishes hold a candlelit procession before Mass, commemorating the biblical presentation of Jesus in the temple.

In folk tradition in Czechia Candlemas is called Hromnice - "hrom" in Czech is thunder. It is a holiday associated with the fear of fire that can be caused by a thunderstorm. Since the 10th century, candles – called in Czech "Hromničky" – have been blessed in churches, which people would carry home for protection. The church recommended lighting these candles during thunderstorms and as protection against the devil.

On February 2nd, the Christmas season ended and the Christmas tree was taken down and the nativity scene was cleaned up in both homes and churches.

There are a lot of sayings connected with this day - Green Candlemas = white Easter

If there is thunder and a snowstorm on Candlemas, then the winter will not longer last.

In Czech language a lot of these sayings are in verses as this one:

Na Hromnice musí skřivan vrznout i kdyby měl zmrznout  =  On Candlemas Day, must a lark squawk even if it should freeze !

Thanks for reading

                                                Margaret