Also called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Candlemas is observed on February 2nd, which is traditionally the 40th day of the Christmas–Epiphany season. The Feast of the Presentation is one of the oldest feasts of the Christian church, celebrated since the 4th century AD in Jerusalem. There are sermons on the Feast by the bishops Methodius of Patara (died 312), Cyril of Jerusalem (died 360), Gregory the Theologian (died 389), Amphilochius of Iconium (died 394), Gregory of Nyssa (died 400), and John Chrysostom (died 407). It is also mentioned in the pilgrimage of Egeria (381–384), where she confirmed that the celebrations took place in honour of the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.
