Candlemas; where new meets old

Candlemas - the feast of the Presentation of Christ at the Temple - was a time for joyous celebration at the Priory, as the newest member of the congregation was baptised at the 10.30am service.

The youngster beamed and gurgled throughout and as he was welcomed by the rest of the congregation after his baptism. Despite his very tender age, it was his second major appearance at the Priory, having played the role (to everyones’ delight) of the baby Jesus at the Scratch Nativity.

Welcome, to you and your family.

In the evening, the peaceful stillness of the Priory was amplified by the ethereal beauty of the setting of the Mag and Nunc in Maxim’s Second Service, sung by the Priory Singers and accompanied by the organ at Evensong.

Rev’d Ted Crofton shared the history of the festival which has had four names - The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Presentation of Christ at the Temple, The Meeting, and Candlemas. ‘The Meeting’, a rather wonderful coalescence of the meeting of older folk, Simeon and Anna with the infant Jesus and also the meeting of two church seasons as the church year moves from Christmas towards Lent, comes from the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Departing in both peace and joy, the 10.30 and Evensong congregations were inspired afresh to shine Jesus’ light in the world.