On Friday, February 2 we celebrate the feast of the Meeting of Christ in the Temple. According to the law of Moses, all Hebrew parents must bring their first born son on the fortieth day after birth to the Temple to be consecrated to God. It was the custom to bring a sacrifice in thanksgiving to God. Mary and Joseph presented two turtle doves, the gift of the poor. At this time in Jerusalem, there lived an old man by the name of Simeon. He was a righteous, pious man and he awaited the coming of the Messiah. It was foretold to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord. Simeon waited for the fulfillment of the promise of God for a long time. Then, one day he went to the Temple. When Mary with Joseph brought the infant Jesus, Simeon met the Child, took Him in his arms and glorifying God said, “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation for the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” This lovely and sentimental hymn can be heard at Vespers.

The Pre-Lenten Sundays are introduced on February 18 by the Gospel reading of a small man so eager to see Jesus that he climbs a tree to see over the crowd. This eagerness is not overlooked by Jesus who tells him that He will have dinner with him. Zaccaheus was overcome with happiness and promised to repay all those he may have not dealt fairly with in the past. The eagerness displayed by Zaccaheus is a message to all of us to display this same eagerness to repent and be with Jesus.

Join us all in church on these important days in February and be prepared to start the Great Lent on March 18 with enthusiasm, humbleness, forgiveness and love.

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating their birthday in February. Stacey Baron Anderson on February 2; Christopher Kary, February 10; Alissa Pecoraro Paduani, February 11, Chris Finno on February 14, and Evgenia Kozienko Jimenez on February 26. We wish all of you a very Happy Birthday and may God grant you all Many Years!

Many thanks from our Food Pantry Coordinator, Helen Baron, to all who helped our Food Pantry by your donations of food and funds during the Nativity season. Your help was deeply appreciated by all those who are in need. However, the need continues throughout the year and especially now in the cold season. Thank you.

Thank you to all who in any possible way participated in preparation, beautification and clean-up of the services and social events in our parish during this past Nativity season. May the blessing of the Lord be upon you for Many blessed Years!