The Feast of the Presenting the Lord Christ in the Temple

The Feast of the Presenting the Lord Christ in the Temple is a short free eBook by Fr Tadros Y. Malaty, with St Jacob of Serugh, on the Feast of the Presentation: the feast of open eyes that see God's wondrous salvation.

In 2004, Fr Tadros asked some children in one of our churches in the United States: "How did Simeon the Elder know that Jesus was the Christ, the One the fathers and prophets of the Old Testament were waiting for?" One child answered, "He must have seen a vision that revealed this truth to him."

So the discussion began. What was this vision? Were his eyes opened to see the angels and heavenly hosts hurry from the Holy of Holies towards the Child St Mary was carrying, bowing in awe and joy at His coming? Did he see the angels proclaiming Him, as they did to the shepherds at His Nativity? Or did he see Hades shaking, and the people of God filled with gladness, urging Him to come, break their chains and bring them into Paradise? Either way, his eyes were opened to see what others in the temple did not.

"My son, why do you deprive yourself of seeing Me? Carry Me in your arms as Simeon the elder carried Me, for I desire you never to leave My arms... Then your heart will be filled with heavenly joy and inexpressible happiness, and the feast of My entrance into the temple shall become your eternal feast." (Fr Tadros Y. Malaty)

Book details

• Authors: Fr Tadros Y. Malaty; St Jacob of Serugh
• Format: eBook (free)
• Pages: 22
• Published: 2021, St Shenouda Press (presented by St Shenouda Monastery, Sydney, Australia)
• ISBN: 9799856967520