The Festival of Candlemas, one of the oldest holidays in the Christian calendar, is also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, or the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. It commemorates when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to be presented, according to Jewish law. Prophet Simeon, who had been promised by an angel that he would not die before being able to see the Messiah, fell down in prayer upon seeing Jesus and said, "Now let thy servant depart in peace," which became the "Nunc Dimittis" the great Canticle of  Evensong, or Vespers.

As part of the candlelight service, the Cathedral Choirs will sing.