Meeting of the Lord in the Temple; Presentation
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Luke 2:22-38)—forty days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph brought him to Jerusalem in obedience to the Law. Luke joins the mother’s purification after childbirth with the presentation and redemption of the firstborn son (Exod. 13:2, 12-15; Lev. 12). They offered “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” the sacrifice permitted to a family unable to provide a lamb. The offering witnesses to their modest means and faithful observance.