Every year, at the Holy Liturgy of the Candlemas, we visit the church as a nation to participate in the announcement of Christ's birth. The Holy Candlelight Liturgy is offered in the evening because the Nativity of Christ took place at night, and at the end of the Liturgy, the church proclaims, "Christ was born and revealed." On this symbolic day, the believers in the church take to their homes a lighted lamp or candle from the church.

What does that Light symbolize?

It symbolizes the Divine Light, the church's blessing, the Light of the Star of Bethlehem, which was more than the sun because it was also visible during the day, and which led the Magi to the genuine Light, to the Child Jesus. Therefore, by taking the lamp home, we also bring the divine blessing to our homes.

During the evening service on January 5, believers can hear prophecies testifying to the coming of the Lord read in the courtroom. These evening readings, by the light of lamps and candelabra, symbolize the dim origin of the prophets before the appearance of the Sun of Righteousness. And by mixing the old with the new, we celebrate the memory of the coming day.

After the end, the pre-holiday of the next day's holiday is held, which begins the preparation for the Christmas holiday, according to Saint Gregory the Theologian. "Today is the day before and the pre-holiday of the dawn of tomorrow's great Light. And as those who love him rejoice and prepare or meet him with torches when they hear the news of the king's coming, so do we."

May we all be purified by Christ's birth this year and guided by His Light. Let's take our souls out of darkness and make way for a bright future. After the Candlelight Liturgy, Christmas blessings are also performed. Let's also fill every corner of our house with abundant divine blessings in this way.