The story of Simeon and Anna the Prophetess is one of my favorites in the Bible. They had waited faithfully for the Messiah, and they were given the amazing gift of seeing the 'Sun of Justice' in the flesh. Simeon could leave this world in peace. Anna was rewarded for her faithfulness. While the New Testament is filled with relatively young people and their adventures in traveling and ministry, elderly Simeon and Anna are unabashedly at home waiting and praying quietly in the temple for the Messiah's coming. The lessons we can learn from them? respect your elders and never cease waiting on the Lord.
a beautiful icon from the convent of St Elizabeth
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who grants us Resurrection.
In the Temple thou didst embrace as an infant God the Word Who became flesh. O glorious Elder Simeon, who didst hold God in thine arms. And also as a prophetess the august Anna ascribed praise to Him. We acclaim you as divine servants of Christ.
Let Simeon the Righteous and Anna the Prophetess, that godly pair, be praised together; well-pleasing to God, they became witnesses of the Incarnate Lord. When they saw him as an infant, together they worshiped Him.
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