Simeon was a righteous and devout priest and prophet living in Jerusalem during the first century. According to the Gospel of Luke, he had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not pass away before witnessing the Christ. This promise was fulfilled when he met Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus at the Temple during their observance of the Law of Moses. Upon holding the child, he offered a prayer and a prophecy regarding the future of the infant and his mother.