Candlemas Trivia Quiz

Answer: the purification of Mary

Candlemas is known by different names in various denominations, including the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It commemorates the purification of Mary and Jesus's presentation in the temple.

The feast is traditionally called Candlemas or Candlemass in Northern Europe, as candles are typically blessed at this time before being used for the rest of the year. In some churches, a long procession with lighted candles marks the occasion, symbolizing that Christ is a light to the Gentiles.

Answer: February 2

Candlemas is an annual holy day falling on February 2. January 6 Is Epiphany, and February 14 is St. Valentine's Day. To fulfill the requirements of the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary entered the temple forty days after the birth of Jesus. Thus, this feast falls on the fortieth day after Christmas.

In the Anglican church and Swedish and Finnish Lutheran churches, it may be observed instead on the nearest Sunday to February 2.

Answer: John Chrysostom

The Feast of Purification is one of the oldest feasts of the church, having been mentioned in the 4th century in sermons by several bishops, from Methodius of Patara to John Chrysostom. Egeria, who is considered to be the author of a late 4th century AD letter describing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, mentioned the feast, writing, "the Feast of the Purification is celebrated here with the greatest honor." The February 2 date was established in 521 AD by the Roman consul Justin.

Answer: James Tissot

His birth name was Jacques Joseph Tissot, but it was Anglicized to James. His painting, also known as "La présentation de Jésus au Temple," is in The Brooklyn museum in New York City. In addition to painting biblical scenes, Tissot was known for his portraits of fashionable women.

Answer: False

It is told only in Luke. The story appears in chapter 2 of Luke's gospel: "And when the days of [Mary's] purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord" (Luke 2:22).

Answer: A pair of birds

"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" (Luke 2:24, KJV).

The fact that they brought either a pair of turtledoves or pigeons instead of a lamb suggests they were poor. Leviticus 12:6-8 (NIV) says:

"When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean."

Answer: Simeon

Simeon is known in Orthodox tradition as "Simeon the God-receiver." Luke says the Holy Ghost fell upon him and he entered the temple, raised his arms, and blessed God, saying:

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel."
(Luke 2:29-32, NIV)

He then turned to Mary and said, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed" (Luke 2:33-35, NIV).

Answer: sword

"And a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2:35, NIV).

These words are spoken by Simeon to Mary. The prophecy is thought to refer to Mary's suffering upon seeing the crucifixion of her son. Just as his side is pierced by the Romans on the cross, so will her soul be (emotionally).

Answer: Anna

"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" (Luke 2: 36-38, KJV)

The Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches commemorate Anna as a saint. She is also called "the God-Receiver," along with Simeon, in Orthodox tradition.

Answer: Meeting

The holy day is sometimes known as "The Meeting of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ" in the Orthodox church. It is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox church, of which there are twelve. The "meeting" refers to Jesus's meeting with Simeon.

Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach

The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ was observed as "Mariae Reinigung" ("Purification of Mary") by the Lutheran church and Bach composed several cantatas for the service in 1724-1727, including "Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde," which translates to "Joyful time in the new covenant." He also composed "Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin" ("With peace and joy I depart.")

Answer: Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick is perhaps best known for his poem, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time." His poem "Ceremony Upon Candlemas Eve" reads:

"DOWN with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and misletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all,
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall:
That so the superstitious find
No one least branch there left behind:
For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected, there (maids, trust to me)
So many goblins you shall see."

This poem depicts the tradition of removing Christmas decorations before Candelmas under the superstition that leaving them up will bring bad luck.

Answer: T.S. Eliot

The poem is loosely modeled on the sentiments of "Nunc dimittis" or the "Song of Simon" or the "Canticle of Simeon," which is based on Simeon's prayer in the Gospel of Luke. T.S. Eliot concludes his poem:

"I am tired with my own life and the lives of those after me,
I am dying in my own death and the deaths of those after me.
Let thy servant depart,
Having seen thy salvation."

Answer: France

Candlemas is called La Chandeleur in French. Some people even put a coin atop the crepe for good luck. This custom is also popular in Belgium. In parts of Mexico, the day is celebrated instead with feasting on tamales.

Answer: Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day also falls on February 2nd. In his book "Groundhog Day," folklore specialist Don Yoder speculates that the practice of predicting winter weather based on whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow was an adaptation of the weather-predicting traditions of Candlemas in Germany, where the animal in question was, instead, a badger. Furthermore, in Europe, clergy would often bless candles and distribute them to the people on Candlemas, and they would set them in their windows. If the sun came out that day, it meant another six weeks of dreary winter weather, similar to if the groundhog sees his shadow.

In Scotland, this rhyme arose:

"If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year."