Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple

On February 2nd, 2021, on the occasion of the feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma, Damascus.
He was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Boutros Kassis, Patriarchal Assistant, and Mor Anthimos Jack Yacoub, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education.
In his sermon, His Holiness spoke about the commitment of the Lord Jesus Christ and his obedience to the law of Moses that the people of God used to follow. He mentioned how He gave an offering for Himself when He entered the temple forty days after His birth. His presentation to the temple is an affirmation that we should abide by the law and obey the commandments for He came to complete and make perfect, not to destroy. His Holiness said that the purpose of the law is to prepare for the coming of the Lord; however, Jesus wanted to perfect the law and gave us the commandment to love one another. His Holiness also spoke about the old man who was waiting for the comfort of Israel and he said to the small child: Now you set your servant in peace. This is a prophesy of an old righteous man who recognised the divinity of Jesus when he met Him, though He was only a child. His Holiness concluded that the Lord invites us to be committed to the law of love which leads to our sanctification.
During the Qurobo, His Holiness presided over the rite of blessing the candles according to the tradition of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.

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