Ben Carter
Candles are an important aspect of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, with their use and symbolism dating back to the Old Testament. Orthodox Christians light candles in churches and their personal prayer corners at home, accompanying their prayers with the lighting of a candle. The candle is seen as a representation of the light of Christ, illuminating the darkness and guiding believers towards salvation. The lighting of candles during services and personal prayers is a way to offer thanks and seek blessings, with the light of the candle symbolising the spiritual enlightenment received through Christ.
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What You'll Learn
Candles represent the light of Christ
The use of candles is deeply significant in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Candles are lit during every service, and they are also lit by the faithful during personal prayer. The candle is a powerful symbol, and it represents several important ideas and ideals. One of the most important symbolic meanings of candles in Eastern Orthodox Christianity is that they represent the light of Christ.
The symbolism of candles as the light of Christ is a recurring theme in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Lord ordained the lighting of lamps in the Temple (Ex. 40:5, 25). The Acts of the Apostles also mentions the lighting of lamps during services in the time of the Apostles. For example, there were many lights in the upper chamber in Troas (Acts 20:8). Tertullian, in the 2nd Century, wrote:
> We never hold a service without candles, yet we use them not just to dispel night’s gloom we also hold our services in daylight but in order to represent by this Christ, the Uncreated Light, without [which] we would in broad daylight wander as if lost in darkness.
The light of the candle symbolises the light of Christ, illuminating the darkness. This is reflected in the ancient hymn, "O Jesus Christ, the Joyful Light", which is sung during the Vespers service. The faithful hold candles during the Vespers service, re-living the Lord's sufferings and expressing their faith in His Resurrection.
The lighting of candles during services and personal prayer is an offering to God. The light of the candle symbolises the spiritual light received by the newly baptised person. It also represents the light of Christ that the deceased are wished to receive. During the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the priest blesses the congregation with a lit candle, proclaiming, "The Light of Christ illumines all!"
The candle is also seen as a representation of the plasticity and softness of the soul. The candle is made of pure beeswax, which the bee makes by collecting pollen from various flowers. This represents the hard work of the bee and the fact that it collects the good and rejects the polluted. The candle, as it burns, illuminates its surroundings, just as Christians, through their sacrifice for the love of God, enlighten their fellow human beings and show them the way of salvation.
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They symbolise the spiritual enlightenment of the newly baptised
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, candles are lit during prayer as a symbol of the spiritual enlightenment of the newly baptised. This practice is rooted in the belief that baptism is not just a ritual but a transformative experience that brings one into the light of Christ.
The lighting of candles serves as a reminder of the presence of God and the spiritual transformation that occurs through baptism. The flame of the candle represents the light of Christ, which is believed to bring spiritual illumination and enlightenment. This symbolism reflects the belief that through baptism, an individual is brought from darkness into the light of Christ, receiving forgiveness of sins and being born again into a new life in Christ.
During Orthodox baptism ceremonies, candles play a significant role. The godparents of the person being baptised hold candles, which are lit from the Paschal candle, symbolising the light of Christ. This act signifies the passing of the light of Christ to the newly baptised person, who is now considered enlightened and illuminated in their faith.
The use of candles in Eastern Orthodox Christianity also extends beyond baptismal ceremonies. Candles are lit during prayer and worship services, as well as in the homes of Orthodox Christians. In church settings, candles are often placed before icons or sacred images, serving as a reminder of the presence of God and the saints. This practice is believed to aid in creating a sacred space conducive to prayer and spiritual reflection.
The act of lighting a candle is often accompanied by prayer and supplication. Orthodox Christians may light candles while praying for specific intentions, such as healing, guidance, or the repose of the soul of a departed loved one. The flickering flame serves as a visual representation of their prayers rising towards heaven, entrusting their petitions to God and the saints.
In the context of spiritual enlightenment, candles also symbolise the pursuit of holiness and the transformation of the soul. As the flame illuminates the surrounding area, it serves as a reminder of the pursuit of virtue and the desire to reflect the light of Christ in one's own life. This symbolism encourages Orthodox Christians to strive for spiritual growth, emulating the light and love of Christ in their thoughts, words, and actions.
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Candles are lit during memorial services for the deceased
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, candles are lit during memorial services for the deceased as a sign that their soul has left the world and entered the Kingdom of Heaven. The lighting of candles during memorial services is a symbolic act that represents the light of Christ, which the deceased is now receiving. The faithful stand with lit candles, praying for God's compassion and eternal salvation for the departed soul.
Candles play a significant role in Eastern Orthodox Christian rituals and are considered essential during any Christian service. They are often lit before icons, usually of Jesus Christ or the Theotokos, and are placed in round containers or sand-filled containers. The faithful may light candles for the living and the deceased, accompanying their prayers with the lighting of candles. This practice symbolizes the continuous nature of prayers, even after one has departed from the church.
During funeral services, four candles are placed around the coffin to form a cross, indicating that the deceased was a Christian. A bowl of koliva, a dish of boiled wheat with honey, is placed near the head of the coffin, with a lit candle on top. This setup symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the sweetness of Heaven. Lit candles are also distributed to all those present, who stand throughout the funeral service.
The mourning period in Eastern Orthodox Christianity lasts for forty days, with special significance attached to the third, ninth, and fortieth days. Memorials are then celebrated at three, six, and nine months, one year, and on the anniversary of the death for at least seven years. Close relatives may observe a longer mourning period, during which they wear black and regularly attend memorial services.
The lighting of candles during memorial services is a powerful symbol of the faith's belief in the afterlife and the soul's journey to Heaven. It serves as a reminder of the light of Christ and the comfort and guidance He provides in the darkness. The candles are also a visual representation of the prayers and well-wishes of the faithful for the departed soul.
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They represent the plasticity and softness of the soul
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, candles are lit during services, at home during personal prayer, and at icon corners. They are also lit during baptisms, funerals, and memorial services. The lighting of candles is an important ritual that holds deep spiritual significance for the faithful.
Candles represent the plasticity and softness of the soul. This symbolism is derived from the candle's composition—traditionally, pure beeswax, which a bee forms by collecting pollen from various flowers. The process of a bee collecting pollen and transforming it into wax is seen as a metaphor for the soul's journey towards enlightenment. The bee collects the good (pollen) and rejects the impure (anything else), just as the soul should strive to absorb divine grace and shed worldly impurities.
The candle's flame represents the light of Christ, illuminating the darkness and guiding believers towards salvation. This light is believed to be renewed within the soul each time one participates in the Divine Liturgy, receives Holy Communion, or prays. The act of lighting a candle is thus an important ritual, reminding believers of their spiritual journey and their connection to the divine.
The softness of the wax also symbolizes the malleability of the soul, which can be shaped and softened by the fire of the Divine. As the candle burns, it represents the soul's potential for transformation and enlightenment. The melting wax signifies the flame of love for fellow humans, reflecting the Christian virtues of love and peace.
Additionally, the candle's fragrance, derived from the beeswax and flowers, symbolizes the sweet aroma of Divine Grace. This fragrance is believed to uplift and purify the soul, reminding believers of the presence of God's grace in their lives. Thus, the candle serves as a multi-sensory reminder of the spiritual journey and the importance of cultivating a soft, enlightened, and virtuous soul.
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Candles are lit during the Vespers service
Candles are an integral part of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, with their presence and lighting holding symbolic meaning. The candle is a symbol of a worshipper offering themselves to God, representing the Light of God or, more specifically, the Light of Christ.
During the Vespers service, candles are lit by the faithful to signify their love for Christ Crucified and Dead, and their faith in His radiant Resurrection. This is also expressed in the singing of the ancient hymn, "O Jesus Christ, the Joyful Light", which is part of the present-day order of Vespers. The hymn expresses the Christian teaching of spiritual light that illumines man, with Christ as the Source of the grace-bestowing light.
The faithful also light candles during Vespers on Holy Friday, when the Plashchanitsa (Epitaphion) is brought out of the Altar, and during the Lamentation Matins of Holy Saturday. They stand holding lit candles as a sign of their love for Christ, showing their faith in His Resurrection.
Additionally, during the Vespers portion of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the priest blesses the congregation with a lit candle and censer, proclaiming, "The Light of Christ illumines all!" This ritual symbolises the spiritual light that enlightens the faithful and represents their adoration, love, sacrifices, and spiritual triumph in the Church.
The lighting of candles during Vespers is a powerful expression of the faithful's devotion to Christ and their belief in His light, which brings salvation and enlightenment.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are used in Eastern Orthodox Christianity to symbolise the spiritual light received by the newly baptised person. They are also lit during prayer and services, and when a person is brought into the church after their death.
Candles symbolise the light of Christ, which is the spiritual light that Christians believe in. They also represent the plasticity of the soul, as well as the love and peace that are attributes of a Christian.
There are two main types of candles used: the trikirion, which has three candles and represents the Holy Trinity, and the dikirion, which has two candles and represents the dual nature of Jesus Christ.
Candles are lit during services, prayer, and when a person dies. They are also lit during the Sacrament of Holy Unction, where seven candles are lit as a sign of the Holy Spirit, and during the Vespers portion of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Candles are important because they hold spiritual significance. They are also important because they are used to illuminate churches and during personal prayer, and they are believed to be an offering to God.
