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Micheline's Blog

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Tag Archives: Simeon’s Song of Praise

From Candlemas to Valentine’s Day

08 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by michelinewalker in 16th-century France, Art, Calendar, Love

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Carnival season, Chaucer, Easter, Februarius, Februus, Ides of February, Lupercalia, Purification, Simeon's Song of Praise, the Vernal Equinox

Simeon’s Song of Praise by Rembrandt, 1631 (WikiArt.org)

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, la Saint-Valentin, is approaching. My best wishes to all of you.

The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in CE 496 to be celebrated on 14 February in honour of Saint Valentine of Rome who died on that date in CE 269. The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th and 15th centuries when notions of courtly love flourished, apparently by association with the “lovebirds” of early spring.

Candlemas

Candlemas, or Candlemass, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Feast of the Holy Encounter, is a Christian Holy Day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It is based upon the account of the presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:22–40 and has been celebrated since the 4th century CE. (See Candlemas, Britannica.)

It is reported that Pope Saint Gelasius I (494–96 CE) wanted to replace a “pagan” feast, called Lupercalia (“Lupus” [wolf] and “calida” [warmth]) with a Christian feast. Candlemas would be the new feast, which is celebrated on 2nd February, 40 days after Christmas, and would commemorate three closely related occasions.

  1. the Purification of the Virgin
  2. the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple of Jerusalem
  3. the Meeting of the Lord, or the Holy Encounter (see Simeon, Gospel of Luke, Wikipedia)

In obedience to Mosaic law, Mary had to be purified 40 days after giving birth, which falls on 2nd February. Moreover, Mary had to present her firstborn to God. Finally, Simeon, who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death, recognized the Messiah. It was Jesus. Having seen Jesus, he said “now we dismiss.” These are the words of a canticle entitled Nunc dimittis.

Candlemas, la Chandeleur, takes places during Carnival season. Carnival is a Christian festivity that starts on Epiphany (6 January) and ends on Ash Wednesday, or the day after Mardi Gras, a day of revelry and merriment. An image inserted below, a drawing or sanguine, depicts a celebration of the Lupercalia occuring at the end of the 16th century.

Valentine’s Day

Moreover, it has been reported that Pope Gelasius I wanted to suppress the ancient Roman festival of the Lupercalia. The Lupercalia was a festival of fertility and purification which had given its name “dies februatus,” from Februatus, to the month of February. The Lupercalia was not related to the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Candlemas, the new feast. Valentine’s Day used to commemorate a St Valentine, a martyr. The feast took place during the Ides of February.

Chaucer

As a romantic feast, Valentine’s Day was all but invented by Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340s – 25 October 1400) who called the day “seynt” Valentine’s Day.

Chaucer was a prisoner during the Hundred Years’ War. When he was released, he took to England the French Roman de la Rose, a work of literature that epitomizes courtly love. However, it was an exchange. Charles d’Orléans, who was detained in England for 25 years during the Hundred Years’ War, took to France not only poems he had written referring to Valentine, but also the lore of Valentine’s Day as it existed in England. According to Chaucer, birds mated on 14 February.

In The Parlement of Foules (1382), Chaucer wrote:

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.

Geoffrey Chaucer’s Parlement of Foules

[“For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.”]

Valentine’s day took place near the Ides of February. We have noted that the degree of lightness and darkness has governed the dates of festivities since the beginning of time. Consequently, Christian festivities would take place at the same time as “pagan” festivities, which they usually replaced, but not altogether. Carnival is a Western Christian festive season ending on Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, or on Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday itself.

The Ides of February

The Ides of a month fall on the 15th day of that month. February being the shortest month, its Ides fell earlier. They fell on approximately the 13th of February and would include Lupercalia, a word combining the above-mentioned “lupus” and “calida.” (See Lupercalia, Wikipedia.) The better-known Ides are the Ides of March, “the 15th day of the Roman month of Martius[,]” a day associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar who developed the Julian Calendar. (See The Ides of March, Wikipedia.)

The Gregorian Calendar

There came a point when festivities taking place in February no longer matched the seasons, Easter in particular. Therefore, Pope Gregory XIII replaced the Julian Calendar with the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar is the better match to the seasons or lightness and darkness. It is based on the Jewish calendar. The Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582. However, Gregorian Chant (cantus planus, plainsong) does not refer to Pope Gregory XIII. It refers to Pope Gregory I. The day on which Easter is celebrated must be determined every year, hence the adjective “moveable.” Easter matches, more or less, the vernal equinox.

Pope Gregory XIII by Lavinia Fontana (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Lupercalian Festival in Rome (ca. 1578–1610), drawing by the circle of Adam Elsheimer, showing the Luperci dressed as dogs and goats, with Cupid and personifications of fertility. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As noted above, Valentine’s Day’s proper Christian source is the commemoration of a martyr named Valentine. But there is evidence that Lupercalia remains a festivity. (See Beware the Ides of February, Psychology Today.)

In ancient Roman religion, Februus, whose name means “purifier,” was the god of purification and Februarius, the month of February. Epiphanytide ends on Candlemas, but Carnival season continues until the very festive and equinoctial Mardi Gras.

The Soussa Mosaic, Februus panel from the 3rd-century mosaic of the months at El Djem, Tunisia (Roman Africa) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RELATED ARTICLES

Posts on Love Celebrated, Page
Feast & Liturgy, Page

Sources and Resources

Britannica
Wikipedia
La Vraie Histoire de la Saint-Valentin
Beware the Ides of February

Love to everyone 💕

Rachmaninov‘s Nunc dimittis
Rembrandt (WikiArt.org)

© Micheline Walker
8 February 2021
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Candlemas: the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple & a Festival of Lights

04 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by michelinewalker in Feasts, Hymnology, Liturgy

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

festival of lights, Hypapante, nature's calendar, Nunc Dimittis, Pidyon haben, Presentation of Jesus in Temple, Simeon's Prophecy, Simeon's Song of Praise

Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, by Rembrandt van Rijn

Presentation of Jesus at the Temple by Rembrandt van Rijn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rembrandt van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669)

262px-aert_de_gelder_-_het_loflied_van_simeon

Simeon’s Song of Praise by Aert de Gelder (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aert de Gelder (26 October 1645 – 27 August 1727)

Simeon the Righteous

Linked to the presentation of Jesus at the Temple is the touching story of Simeon the Elder, or Simeon Senex. “According to the Biblical account, Simeon had been visited by the Holy Spirit and told that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. On taking Jesus into his arms he uttered the prayer Nunc dimittis” (Wikipedia), also called the Canticle of Simeon, found in St. Luke’s Gospel (2:29-32). The Nunc dimittis is still used liturgically in many Christian churches.  Simeon also prophesied the crucifixion. He said to Mary:

Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2:34-35).

East and West

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Presentation is called Hypapante (Meeting), “in reference to Jesus’ meeting in the Temple with the aged Simeon” (Wikipedia). Moreover, in the Eastern Church, the Presentation is a celebration of Christ and it is one of The Twelve Feasts, four of which honour Mary. But in the Western Church, Candlemas is the fourth of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary (from rose, the flower) that commemorate Mary.

The Festival of Lights

Candlemas is also joyful because it is a festival of lights and has been so since the fifth century. Candlemas is the day that “all the Church’s candles for the year were blessed” (BBC). As a festival of lights, Candlemas is among the celebrations which, from time immemorial, have been associated with the degree of daylight.

Christianity shaped its liturgical calendar according to what could be called a pagan calendar but is in fact nature’s calendar: the two solstices (Christmas and St John’s Day) and the two equinoctial points (Easter and Michaelmas: end of September). Candlemas is celebrated between the winter solstice, Christmas, and the spring equinox, Easter.

Rome: Candles

According to Brewers’ Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, “the ancient Romans had a custom of burning candles to scare away evil spirits.”[1]  Well, that practice was also long perpetuated, particularly in England, and might be revived.

Groudhog day

We then come to the matter of Groundhog day. Foretelling what the remainder of winter would bring is not new, but the manner differs:

If Candlemas day be dry and fair,
The half o’winter’s come and mair`
If Candlemas Day be wet and foul,
The half o’winter was gone at Youl.

Scottish Proverb[2]

Love to everyone ♥
_________________________
[1] “Candle.Candlemas Day,” Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, revised by Adrian Room, Sixteenth Edition (London: Cassell 2001[1959]).
[2] Ibid.

composer: Palestrina (3 February 1525 or 2 February 1526 – 2 February 1594)
title: Nunc dimittis
performers: The Tallis Scholars

© Micheline Walker
2 February 2012
Reposted 4 February 2017
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Nunc Dimittis, Simeon’s Song of Praise

02 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Feasts, Hymnology, Liturgy

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Antiphon, Canticle, Feasts, Hymnology, in fine arts, in music, Nunc Dimittis, Simeon's Song of Praise

Nunc Dimittis, Simeon's Song of Praise, by Aert de Gelder

Nunc Dimittis, Simeon’s Song of Praise, by Aert de Gelder (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aert de Gelder (or Arent, 26 October 1645 – 27 August 1727) is one of Rembrandt’s last pupils while in Amsterdam (1661 to 1663) (Wikipedia). I discovered Christian liturgy, first, when taking courses in the Fine Arts and, second, as a student of musicology. Students of musicology must learn liturgy and the Nunc dimittis is a good example. There was a demand for liturgical music. As a result, the development of polyphony, the combination of voices, occurred from liturgical chant to liturgical chant and from madrigal to madrigal, its secular counterpart. Liturgy also constitutes one of the main subject matters of the visual arts.

In my family Candlemas was celebrated, but I was not told that the Nunc dimittis was Simeon’s Song of Praise, a canticle. In fact, although I attended a Catholic school, we were never told that Candlemas was a commemoration of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and of Mary’s Purification after Childbirth.

Nunc dimittis

February 2nd is “Nunc dimittis” day and “Nunc dimittis” is Simeon’s Song of Praise. In yesterday’s poat I inserted Palestrina’s “Nunc dimittis,” but today we will hear William Byrd‘s “Nunc dimittis.”

Here are the words of the “Nunc Dimittis:”

English (Book of Common Prayer, 1662)
 
Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace;
Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation,
Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
 
Latin (Vulgate)
 
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. 
 
_________________________
Religious art
 
composer: William Byrd (1540 or late 1539 – 4 July 1623, by the Julian calendar, 14 July 1623, by the Gregorian calendar) 
title: Nunc Dimittis 
performers: Alexander Kamerkoor

Jesus (Egypte)

© Micheline Walker
2 February 2012
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Candlemas: the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple & a Festival of Lights

02 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Feasts, Hymnology, Liturgy

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

festival of lights, Hypapante, nature's calendar, Nunc Dimittis, Pidyon haben, Presentation of Jesus in Temple, Simeon's Prophecy, Simeon's Song of Praise

Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, by Rembrandt van Rijn

Presentation of Jesus at the Temple by Rembrandt van Rijn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rembrandt van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669)

262px-aert_de_gelder_-_het_loflied_van_simeon

Simeon’s Song of Praise by Aert de Gelder (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aert de Gelder (26 October 1645 – 27 August 1727)

Simeon the Righteous

Linked to the presentation of Jesus at the Temple is the touching story of Simeon the Elder, or Simeon Senex. “According to the Biblical account, Simeon had been visited by the Holy Spirit and told that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. On taking Jesus into his arms he uttered the prayer Nunc dimittis” (Wikipedia), also called the Canticle of Simeon, found in St. Luke’s Gospel (2:29-32). The Nunc dimittis is still used liturgically in many Christian churches.  Simeon also prophesied the crucifixion. He said to Mary:

Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2:34-35).

East and West

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Presentation is called Hypapante (Meeting), “in reference to Jesus’ meeting in the Temple with the aged Simeon” (Wikipedia). Moreover, in the Eastern Church, the Presentation is a celebration of Christ and it is one of The Twelve Feasts, four of which honour Mary. But in the Western Church, Candlemas is the fourth of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary (from rose, the flower) that commemorate Mary.

The Festival of Lights

Candlemas is also joyful because it is a festival of lights and has been so since the fifth century. Candlemas is the day that “all the Church’s candles for the year were blessed” (BBC). As a festival of lights, Candlemas is among the celebrations which, from time immemorial, have been associated with the degree of daylight.

Christianity shaped its liturgical calendar according to what could be called a pagan calendar but is in fact nature’s calendar: the two solstices (Christmas and St John’s Day) and the two equinoctial points (Easter and Michaelmas: end of September). Candlemas is celebrated between the winter solstice, Christmas, and the spring equinox, Easter.

Rome: Candles

According to Brewers’ Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, “the ancient Romans had a custom of burning candles to scare away evil spirits.”[1]  Well, that practice was also long perpetuated, particularly in England, and might be revived.

Groudhog day

We then come to the matter of Groundhog day. Foretelling what the remainder of winter would bring is not new, but the manner differs:

If Candlemas day be dry and fair,
The half o’winter’s come and mair`
If Candlemas Day be wet and foul,
The half o’winter was gone at Youl.

Scottish Proverb[2]

_________________________

[1] “Candle.Candlemas Day,” Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, revised by Adrian Room, Sixteenth Edition (London: Cassell 2001[1959]).

[2] Ibid.

composer: Palestrina (3 February 1525 or 2 February 1526 – 2 February 1594)
title: Nunc dimittis
performers: The Tallis Scholars

 

© Micheline Walker
2 February 2012
Revised 4 February 2017
WordPress

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