1611 KJV Liturgical Calendar - Purification of Mary

According to the February liturgical calendar in the 1611 King James Bible, today is a red letter day. Really. The February liturgical calendar in 1611 KJV Bible has printed in red ink in the row for February 2 "Purification of Mary".

What is the Purification of Mary and why is the event a red letter day in the KJV Bible?

The Purification of Mary is found in the Bible in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke:

And 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; (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And, 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. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And 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, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

And 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; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And 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; And 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. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:22-40

Egeria, a devoutly celibate Christian women who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the late 4th Century, wrote:

"The fortieth day after the Epiphany is undoubtedly celebrated here with the very highest honor, for on that day there is a procession, in which all take part, in the Anastasis, and all things are done in their order with the greatest joy, just as at Easter. All the priests, and after them the bishop, preach, always taking for their subject that part of the Gospel where Joseph and Mary brought the Lord into the Temple on the fortieth day, and Symeon and Anna the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, saw Him, treating of the words which they spake when they saw the Lord, and of that offering which His parents made. And when everything that is customary has been done in order, the sacrament is celebrated, and the dismissal takes place."

At the time of Egeria, the Purification of Mary was considered a minor Christian feast. Its was in 541, that a plague killed thousands in Constantinople that the Purification of Mary took on greater importance. Justinian I, in consultation with the Patriarch of Constantinople, ordered a period of fasting and prayer throughout the entire Empire. And, on the Feast of the Purification of Mary , arranged great processions throughout the towns and villages and a solemn prayer service to ask for deliverance from evils, and the plague ceased. In thanksgiving, the feast was elevated to a more solemn celebration.

By the way, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Purification of Mary is one of the twelve Great Feasts, and is sometimes called Hypapante ("meeting"). Other traditional Christian names for the Purification of Mary include Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, and the Meeting of the Lord. In some Protestant churches, the feast is known as the Naming of Jesus (though historically he would have been named on the eighth day after the Nativity, when he was circumcised).

Interestingly, its not entirely coincidental that Ground Hog Day coincides with the Purification of Mary. Ground Hog Day is not entirely secular and has it foundation in the traditions of German Protestants ("Pennsylvania Dutch"). If your Christian beliefs keep you from enjoying the antics of well known whistle-pig Punxsutawney Phil, then enjoy some crepes for dinner, the traditional French food for the Purification of Mary. Just wait until after 8 to dine.

Related Posts:
Perpetual Virginity of Mary
1611 KJV Liturgical Calendar - Feast of John

Source: Wikipedia - Presentation of Jesus at the Temple