The glorious Prophet Simeon the God-receiver was present when Jesus was brought into the temple as an infant (celebrated as the feast of the Meeting of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ). His feast day is celebrated on February 16 (February 3), with that of St. Anna the Prophetess.
Simeon said very little, but the entire future history of the world found a reflection in his words. He foretold that Christ would enlighten the pagans; that in Israel, of whom He is the glory, He is to become a “sign which shall be spoken against”. Because of Him many will fall and many will rise. These words could hardly have been understood ahead of these events, but subsequent history justified them completely.
