Photos from the Forty Day Welcoming into the Church*

of Baby Lev and Baby Anastasia and Their Mother Svetlana

October 6, 2013

(click on each photo to see a larger version)

1. Fr. Jonah with David and Svetlana	2. Beginning of the Blessing	3. Blessing Svetlana	4. Blessing Lev and Anastasia	5. Reading More Prayers
6. Attentive Parents	7. Preparing to Present the Babies at the Altar	8. Prayer of St. Simeon	9. Proud Papa David and Mama Svetlana	May God Grant to Svetlana and David and Their Children Anastasia and Lev Many Blessed Years! Многая лета!

*This custom follows the Jewish tradition of bringing a child to the temple 40 days after birth, as Mary and Joseph brought the Baby Jesus.

**The priest then recites the Prayer of St. Simeon, who had been told by God that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. Simeon witnessed the Infant Jesus brought by Mary and Joseph to the temple. Simeon took the child into his arms and said "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Lord, with peace according to Thy word, wherefore hath mine eyes beheld Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to the enlightening of gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel"

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