a feast of the church held on the second day of February, in honour of the purification of the Virgin Mary. It is borrowed from the practice of the ancient Christians, who on that day used abundance of lights both in their churches and processions, in memory, as is supposed, of our Saviour's being on that day declared by Simon "to be a light to lighten the Gentiles." In imitation of this custom, the Roman-catholics on this day consecrate all the tapers and candles which they use in their churches during the whole year. At Rome, the Pope performs that ceremony himself; and distributes wax-candles to the cardinals and others, who carry them in procession through the great hall of the Pope's palace. This ceremony was prohibited in England by an order of council in 1548.

Candlemas, (2d Feb.) is made one of the four terms of the year for paying and receiving rents or borrowed money, &c.—In the courts of law, Candlemas term begins 1st January, and ends 31st February.