On 15 February, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the Twelve Great Feasts – the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
The iconography of the Presentation is based on an episode from the Gospel (Luke 2:22–38), which tells how on the 40th day after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, following the Old Testament law, brought the Holy Child to the temple to dedicate Him to God.
The icon on display from the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus depicts Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph bringing Infant Jesus to Simeon the God-Receiver, who bowed in anticipation of the Messiah at the throne of the Jerusalem Temple. Mary hands over the Child to Simeon, who receives Him into his arms. Such an image is more consistent with the Gospel text, and it presents the essence of the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ as as a meeting of the Old and New Testaments. It serves as an illustration of the following verse: “Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God: “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:28–32).
The meeting of Simeon and Infant Jesus symbolises the meeting of mankind with God.
The hands of Simeon the God-Receiver not being covered by the himation, and the absence of Anna the Prophetess are specific iconographic features of this particular image.
The exhibition will be on display until February 21, 2025.
Exhibition curator: Lyubou Sysoyeva, leading researcher at the Department of Ancient Belarusian Art of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus.
