Candlemas Choral Eucharist
- Occuring
- for 1 hour
- Venue
- Birmingham Cathedral
- Address Colmore Row Birmingham, B3 2QB, United Kingdom
The official name of Candlemas is ‘The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple’, which is also known as Candlemas. It’s the Feast on which we recall Mary and Joseph going to the Temple for Mary’s purification, and whilst there, they encountered elderly Simeon and Anna who recognised Jesus as the one for whom they had been waiting.
Simeon spoke the words we now call the ‘Nunc Dimittis’ – Now, Lord, you let your servant depart in peace, and the choir will sing that towards the end of the service.
Simeon’s prophecy included reference to a sword piercing Mary’s heart, and at the end of the service we turn ourselves ‘from crib to cross’, and turn from this final look at Christmas to look towards Lent which is near. Traditionally it was also the day when all the candles for use in church during the coming year were blessed.
The choir will also sing a wonderful anthem that evening which is specific to this service (Eccard).
All are welcome to join us for this special service.