Brooke Martin
The use of candles in churches has a long history, with Lamps and candles being in normal use in Christian worship by the fourth century. These candles are often placed on or near altars and are known as altar candles. They are used in religious ceremonies and are lit and extinguished in a particular order. In this text, we will explore the different types of candles used in churches, their significance, and the traditions surrounding their use.
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What You'll Learn
- Votive candles are used for prayer and memorial purposes
- Candles are placed in front of statues of Jesus or the Virgin Mary
- The use of candles in worship is favoured by Episcopalians of the Catholic tradition
- Candles are lit and extinguished in a particular order during liturgies
- The type of candle used varies from long taper-type candles to tealights
Votive candles are used for prayer and memorial purposes
The use of candles in churches has a long and varied tradition. Candles have been used in Christian worship since at least the fourth century, and their use has continued to the present day.
Votive candles, in particular, are commonplace in many churches, as well as home altars, and are used for prayer and memorial purposes. These candles are typically small and white or beeswax yellow, and they are burned as a votive offering in an act of Christian prayer. The lighting of a votive candle symbolises the "prayers the worshipper is offering for him or herself, or for other people". The act of lighting a candle for someone indicates an intention to say a prayer for that person, with the candle symbolising that prayer.
In some churches, a board is placed near the votive candles, listing the names of those for whom prayer is requested. A donation box is also usually placed nearby, allowing Christians to make a votive offering to the church.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, votive candles are lit before icons, usually of Jesus Christ or the Theotokos. Orthodox churches tend to use long, thin candles, which are placed in round containers with sockets or in a container filled with sand. These churches usually have a separate place to put candles lit for the departed. In the Roman Catholic Church, candles are sometimes placed before a statue of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or another saint.
Votive candles are also used in Lutheran churches, where they may be lit at home or in church, often during the liturgy of Good Friday. Anglican churches, especially those that follow the High Church or Anglo-Catholic tradition, also use votive candles for praying for the dead and asking for saintly intercession. During the liturgical celebration of Allhallowtide, votive candles are lit and a prayer is said for each congregant who has died that year.
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Candles are placed in front of statues of Jesus or the Virgin Mary
The use of candles in churches has a long and varied tradition, with records showing that there were "many lights" at a service in Troas when Paul and other Christians gathered to break bread. Lamps and candles were in normal use in Christian worship by the fourth century, and candles have been used in some English cathedrals and churches since the 17th century. Candles have extensive ceremonial use in the Christian liturgical tradition and may be carried in procession by acolytes, held as the gospel is said or sung, or placed on the altar, among other uses.
Candles are often placed in front of statues of Jesus or the Virgin Mary. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, for example, candles are lit before icons, usually of Jesus Christ or the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary). In the Roman Catholic Church, candles are sometimes placed before a statue of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or of another saint.
In the United Methodist Church, those churches that worship in the High Church tradition make use of votive candles. During the liturgical celebration of Allhallowtide, especially on All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day), votive candles are lit and a prayer is said for each person in the congregation who has died that year.
Votive candles are also used in Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic Christian denominations, among others. They are typically small, white, or beeswax yellow, and are burned as a votive offering in an act of Christian prayer. The lighting of a votive candle symbolizes the prayers that the worshipper is offering for themselves or for others.
In some families, it is customary to place a candle decorated with a small white or blue ribbon in front of a statue or picture of the Virgin Mary on the feast of her Immaculate Conception. The candle is lit during meals and evening prayers, symbolizing Mary's eager expectation of the "Light of the World."
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The use of candles in worship is favoured by Episcopalians of the Catholic tradition
The use of candles in worship is deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition and is also favoured by Episcopalians. The history of candles in the Catholic Church goes back to the Middle Ages, when altar candles were commonly used in Roman Catholic churches.
The use of candles in Christian worship dates back to the fourth century, when lamps and candles were in normal use. However, it was not customary to place candles on the altar until the twelfth century, when it was first mentioned that two candles flanked an altar cross in the papal chapel. Over time, the use of candles evolved from a practical source of light to a powerful symbol in the Catholic and Episcopalian traditions.
In the Catholic Church, candles are often lit as votive offerings, signifying a seeker's favour from the Lord or the saint before whom the votive is placed. They are also lit as a sign of gratitude for answered prayers or as a symbol of attention and waiting during prayers. In the Episcopal Church, candles are used in a similar manner, with acolytes carrying them in procession and holding them as the gospel is said or sung.
The lighting and extinguishing of candles have become a ritual in Episcopalian services, with candles lit during the Eucharist to represent the presence of God in worship, Gospel reading, and the Eucharist itself. The placement of candles on the altar symbolises that Christ is the light of the world, as Jesus himself said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
The use of candles in worship is an important aspect of both Catholic and Episcopalian traditions, with specific rituals and symbolism attached to the lighting and placement of candles during services.
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Candles are lit and extinguished in a particular order during liturgies
The use of candles in churches has a long history, with records showing that there were “many lights” at a service in Troas when Paul and other Christians gathered to break bread. Lamps and candles were in normal use in Christian worship by the 4th century, but they were not placed on the altar until the 12th century. Over time, the use of candles in churches evolved, with different traditions and regulations emerging.
In the Roman Catholic Church, liturgical candles must be made of at least 51% beeswax, while in the Orthodox Church, tapers offered should be 100% beeswax. The composition and number of candles used during Mass were governed by complex rules at the beginning of the 20th century. For example, the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church requires candles to be placed on or beside the altar during the celebration of Mass. The number of candles can vary from at least two in any celebration to four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or holy day of obligation. If the diocesan bishop celebrates, seven candles should be used.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, there must be candles on the Holy Table during the Divine Liturgy. This can take the form of a pair of white candles or a pair of five-branch candlesticks. Additionally, there is traditionally a seven-branch candlestick on or behind the Holy Table. The faithful offer beeswax candles in candle stands in front of important icons, and it is customary during funerals and memorial services for everyone to stand holding lit candles.
In the Episcopal Church, the use of candles in worship was favored by Episcopalians of the Catholic tradition but resisted by those of the evangelical tradition. The Easter Vigil service in this tradition begins with the lighting of the Paschal candle, which burns at all services from Easter Day through Pentecost. The Order of Worship for the Evening includes the lighting of altar candles and other candles, which follows the Prayer for Light and precedes the hymn "O Gracious Light."
In Methodist churches, candles are typically used in a similar manner to the Anglican way, with two candles on the altar symbolizing Jesus as both a human being and God. These candles are lit and extinguished in a particular order, with the Gospel side candle never burning alone. The candles are lit from right to left and extinguished from left to right. At the end of the service, the light is carried out to symbolize that Jesus Christ is for all people.
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The type of candle used varies from long taper-type candles to tealights
The use of candles in churches has a long history, with records showing that there were "many lights" at a Christian gathering in Troas, and lamps and candles were in normal use by the fourth century. Candles have been used in English cathedrals and churches since the 17th century, and their use in worship was strongly favoured by Episcopalians of the Catholic tradition.
Candles are used extensively in the Christian liturgical tradition and are often used in processions, held during the gospel, and placed on, beside, or behind the altar. The type of candle used varies from long taper-type candles to tealights. Long taper candles are lit using a taper—a lit wick attached to a long handle—and are often placed in a special holder. They are lit and extinguished in a particular order, with the Gospel side candle never burning alone. Tealight candles are either placed in holders or on a platform in front of a statue.
The candles may be tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine, and they are often topped with a candle follower—a short tube made of brass, glass, or another non-flammable material—to prevent wax from dripping. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, candles are required to be placed on or beside the altar during the celebration of Mass.
Votive candles are another type of candle used in churches. These are often long and thin and are placed in round containers with sockets or in a container filled with sand. They are lit to fulfil a vow, give honour, or seek help from a saint, and to pray for the dead.
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Frequently asked questions
Rows of candles in churches are called altar candles. They are placed on or near altars for religious ceremonies.
Altar candles are used for various purposes, including worship, prayer, and memorial. They are also used to symbolise the light of Christ or the light of the gospel.
The type of candle used as an altar candle varies. They can be long, taper-type candles or tealight candles. Tealight candles are often placed in holders or on a platform, while long candles may be placed in special holders or tall stands.
