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«Ὑπαπαντή» and the service to a new mother as challenges for change (Dr. Anastasios Ioannides)

Κατηγορίες: In English

Participating in the services for the feast of «Ὑπαπαντή» (Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple, February 2), a festival dating back to the 4th century, I bring to mind the texts by several Orthodox writers, who since the early 1960s have reported that they feel offended by the orthodox prayers read over a new mother, especially as regards to the concept of “cleansing” the new mother of her «ρύπος» (= dirt, stain, filth). They explain themselves by writing that they associate such prayers with a revival of Old Testament stipulations (in the book of Leviticus), which tend to underestimate the mother and all women. If «ρύπος» is scandalous, then our Orthodox services for the feast of «Ὑπαπαντή» may be ...

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