Candlemas

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In parts of the Welsh borders, a big bunch of snowdrops was brought into the house on this day to purify it.

In Scotland, Candlemas is one of the Term and Quarter Days on which rents were traditionally paid. It falls on 28th February, although until 1886 it was on 2nd February. The other three term and quarter days are: Whitsunday (formerly 15th May, now 28th May), Lammas (formerly 1st August, now 28th August) and Martinmas (formerly 11th November, now 28th November).

As part of the church calendar Candlemas commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary after the birth of Jesus, and is therefore linked to Christmas. It falls on 2nd February in those Churches observing the Gregorian calendar (broadly the Western churches) and 15th February in those observing the Julian calendar.

In times past, Candlemas was the day on which the priest would bless all the candles to be used for the year, which is where the name comes from.

Candlemas is known by a number of names. In the Roman Catholic Church it is usually called Presentation of the Lord nowadays. In Anglican Churches it is known by several names including The Presentation Of Our Lord Jesus Christ In The Temple, The Presentation Of Our Lord, The Presentation of Christ In The Temple and The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches it is known as the Purification of the Virgin. In Eastern Orthodoxy it is known as The Feast Of The Presentation Of Our Lord And Saviour In The Temple. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrate The Coming Of The Son Of God Into The Temple.

The purification aspect relates to Jewish law, which stated that a woman who gives birth to a male child was unclean for a total of 40 days, on which date she was obliged to take part in a purification ceremony, which is in fact reported as having occurred in Luke 2:22-39, and Christ’s presentation at the Temple.

Because the timing of Easter varies, Candlemas sometimes falls during Lent. Although almost universally celebrated, there are very few traditions associated with Candlemas.

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