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Story last updated at 1:48 a.m. Saturday, January 29, 2005
Emmanuel to observe service of Candlemas
On Wednesday evening, Emmanuel Episcopal Church will celebrate Candlemas, a
worship experience that also will honor the feast day of Saint Blaise. The
service begins at 6 p.m. at the church, Broadway and Highland in Shawnee,
and a light meal will be served at 5:30 p.m.
Candlemas will feature the Order for Evening with Holy Eucharist, and it is
a candlelight service marking the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple.
The story is from Luke 2, where light is an important theme because Jesus is
acknowledged as the light that will enlighten the Gentiles. The Feast of the
Presentation relates to a requirement of Jewish law that a firstborn child
had to be “bought back” from God, to whom it automatically belongs as
firstborn. In the temple, St. Simeon and St. Anna the Prophetess encounter
Jesus and Mary and bless them, acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, and warn Mary
that Jesus will be a sign of contradiction for humanity and that a sword
will pierce her Sacred Heart.
Wednesday’s service also will mark the Feb. 3 feast day of Saint Blaise, who
is considered the patron saint of throats for saving someone from choking.
The Blessing of the Throats will conclude the service with a prayer of
health for each person. Blaise was the bishop of the diocese of Sebaste in
Armenia, and is said to have miraculously saved the life of a young child
who was choking on a fish bone. Hence, his intercessions have been sought
for the sick, especially those with throat trouble. He is one of the 14
Auxiliary Saints (commonly called the Fourteen Holy Helpers) who were
venerated for the efficacy of their prayers on behalf of human necessities.
Blaise was martyred in the fourth century C.E.
Visitors are always welcome at Emmanuel. For more information about the
church’s services and activities, call the office at 273-1374 or go online
to
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress