a church festival, February 2, in honor of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary: candles are blessed on this day.
Also called Candlemas Day.
Origin
before 1050;Middle Englishcandelmasse,Old Englishcandelmæsse. See candle, -mas
British Dictionary definitions for Candlemas
Candlemas
/ˈkændəlməs/
noun
1.
(Christianity) Feb 2, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the Temple: the day on which the church candles are blessed. In Scotland it is one of the four quarter days