In Orthodoxy, the day after a major feast is called the Synaxis and commemorates those who participated in the feast. Therefore, the day after the Nativity is The Synaxis of the Theotokos; the day after Theophany the Synaxis of St. John the Forerunner (Baptist).

As yesterday was the Feast of the Presentation (or Meeting) in the Temple of our Lord, when we read of the feast in Luke 22-38, we meet the saints commemorated in today’s Synaxis - Symeon the Godbearer and Anna the Prophetess.

Luke 2:22-39 (King James Version) 22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

I am particularly captivated by these two saints, especially St. Symeon and how he was rewarded his longing for God by being able to hold him in his arms. The Reader David posted the Vesperal hymns from the feast – a couple of years ago I was blessed to attend this Vespers and to let these beautiful words wash over me, one of the most beautiful moments was the reading of the burning coal in Isaiah and how that is seen as an archtype of this Feast, and of Symeon’s holding the Christ Child and not being burned. For those of us who are steeped in the Orthodox services, we hear St. Symeon’s canticle every Vespers, and at every Churching (see the lovely Deb’s post about Churchings). I also always ponder if The Prophetess Anna was 84 or had lived 84 years after her widowhood. Either way, she’s been waiting for God a long time.

As the feast is 40 days after Christmas, it officially ends the Christmas season, and it marks or shift from the Christmas Feast to looking towards Pascha and the upcoming Lent – coincidentally, our reading on Sunday was Zaccheus , which is the last Sunday prior to the Lenten Triodion being used for our services.

Holy Saints Symeon and Anna, pray to God for us.

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