1 Maccabees 13:51-53

New Catholic Bible

⁵¹ On the twenty-third day of the second month, in the year one hundred and seventy-one, the Jews entered the citadel with shouting and the waving of palm branches, to the accompaniment of lyres and cymbals and harps and the singing of hymns and canticles, because a great enemy of Israel had been destroyed. ⁵² Simon decreed that this day should be observed each year with rejoicing. He also strengthened the fortifications of the temple hill alongside the citadel, and he took up residence there with his men. ⁵³ And since his son John had now reached manhood, he appointed him as commander of all the forces, with his residence in Gazara.^[a]