“La Chandeleur” or Candlemas in English is celebrated on February 2nd, and commemorates the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to the Jewish law went to the temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son and to present Jesus to god as her firstborn. The festival was formerly known in the Roman Catholic Church as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is now known as the presentation of the lord. In the Anglican Church it is called the Presentation of Christ in the temple. In the Greek Church it is called ”Hypapante” (meeting), in reference to Jesus’ meeting in the temple with Simeon.

(Courtesy of Encyclopaedia Britannica. All Rights Reserved.).

        In France the name “Chandeleur” comes from the word “Chandelle” which means candle. It was custom for the people to bring back the lighted candles from church to assure good crops for the year to come and to chase the evil.

        In France it is custom to prepare “Crepes” for “La chandeleur”(Candlemas), which symbolizes, wealth, good crops and health for the year to come. “Crepes” are very easy to prepare and can be filled with jam, sugar, whipped cream, fruits, chestnut cream for sweet crepes or with mushrooms, spinach cheese or ham for salty crepes. The sweet crepes are eaten as a dessert or as a snack the salty one are eaten as a meal. It is very important to let the batter rest for at least 2 hours before making the crepes.

        Crepes can be frozen and reheat in a microwave oven between a layer of waxed paper. The best way to freeze the crepes is to wrap them in foil and place in a tight sealed plastic bag. You can keep the uncooked batter for 1 day in the refrigerator.

Note:
Plain Soya milk can be substituted for the milk or beer. The flavor is not quite the same as with milk but the crepes are still very good. For a taste of “Brittany” try the buckwheat crepes.