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February 2 - PRESENTATION
IN THE TEMPLE (aka Candlemas, aka Purification) [Feast] The Law required the
Circumcision of male child 8 days after birth and the Purification of mother 40
days after birth (Lev 12). [1 January and 2 February] Also the First born male
had to be redeemed [the first born of animals were sacrificed] in commemoration
of death of Egyptian First-born (Ex 13). In recent times these feasts have been
celebrated as Mary Mother of God and Presentation of Jesus in Temple. The
Eastern Church has always celebrated both as a feasts of Jesus. For more see web link |
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February 3 - Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, (d316) Patron for Throat Diseases. This optional Memorial but includes blessing of throats - candles are touched to ones throat while the minister says Through the merits and intercession of St Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, may God deliver you from all diseases of the throat, and from every other evil. In the Name of . . . For more see web link |
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February 5 - Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr, (d 251), Patron of Nurses, she is also invoked for earthquakes and diseases of the breast. Saint Agatha was tortured and allowed to die for refusing to marry a Senator. Reportedly her breasts were cut off and she was thrown on hot coals. Torture was then halted because of an earthquake which threatened to provoke uprising in the town. She was returned to prison and allowed to die of her injuries. For more see web link |
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February 6 - Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyred in Japan - 1597 - protomartyrs of Far East. Three Jesuits, six Franciscans, fifteen tertiaries and two laymen, were marched across Japan to impress others and then tortured to death near Nagasaki. They were canonized in 1862. For more see web link |
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February 10 - Saint Scholastica - Early 6th Century Saint Scholastica is the sister of Saint Benedict, Founder of Western Religious life. She founded and managed a monastery of nuns about five miles from his monastery at Monte Cassino. She visited Benedict once a year on neutral ground to confer on spiritual subjects. One year she requested a longer meeting. When Saint Benedict refused she prayed up a thunderstorm which kept everyone there overnight. Sister Scholastica died 3 days later. For more see web link |
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February 14 - Saints Cyril & Methodius Patrons of the Unity of Eastern and Western Churches. These brothers preached as missionaries in much of South-eastern Europe in the 9th century. Saint Cyril died shortly after they were consecrated bishops leaving Saint Methodius to continue their mission to the north. To Saint Methodius is credited the development of the Cyrillic alphabet and the translation of Scripture into it. For more see web link |
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February 14 |
Saint Valentine, Priest and Martyr of the third century is no longer on the Calendar, but still gives his name to this day. For more see web link |
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February 22 - The CHAIR of SAINT PETER, APOSTLE [Feast] - Saint Peter was first bishop of Antioch, and later went to Rome to found his See there. This feast celebrates both. For more see web link |
| February 23 |
February 23 - Saint Polycarp A disciple of Saint John the Evangelist, Polycarp
was burnt at the stake in Smyna about 155 AD; When the flames would not touch
him he was stabbed; the flow of his blood extinguished the flames
For more see web link |