Among the many holidays that are in the Orthodox calendar, Easter is considered the most famous and, without a doubt, important. And the point here is not only that this is a very ancient tradition. The celebration of Easter and all the traditions that accompany it are filled with a deep sacred meaning. One of her symbolic attributes is the Easter candle.
What does it symbolize
The candle is one of the main assets of the Church. The meaning that lies in it, in its burning is very deep and, depending on the situation, can be revealed in different ways.
When buying a candle in the temple, you should remember that this is our voluntary sacrifice to God, the Holy Church. Wax with its plastic and rather soft structure is a kind of evidence that a person is ready to change, transform, approaching God. This transformation is displayed by the burning of a candle.
A candle bought and lit in the temple is a sign of the spiritual union of man and the Church. This is the small and, in a way, easy sacrifice that everyone is capable of. Any, even the smallest candle, is in no way worse than a large one - after all, howIt is well known that grace is not measured by the standards customary for a person. The main thing is that it should be set and kindled with the awareness of its involvement in God and fiery love for him.
A candle at home takes on a special meaning. Lit in front of the icons during the reading of the rule or under other circumstances, it emphasizes the prayerful mood and symbolizes a passionate appeal to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Guardian Angel, Nicholas the Wonderworker, or to your saint.
Easter and candles
During this wonderful Feast, the burning of a candle acquires its own special meaning. In order to comprehend it, you need to remember the main and most mysterious symbol of Easter - the Holy Fire. His descent is the great miracle that the Lord gives mankind. It has been continuously repeated in the Holy Light ceremony since the earliest days of the Church.
This ceremony is an integral part of the Easter celebrations - the festive service of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. The source confirming this, as is well known, is the Gospel. It says that during the Resurrection, the tomb was illuminated with an incredibly powerful radiance - the light of the grace of Christ.
It is believed that the performance of this miracle gives humanity another year of life - until the next Easter. Upon arrival from Jerusalem, where this miracle is performed in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Holy Fire is carried by the priests to the churches.
In the Catholic Church, before the start of the festive service, Easter is lit - a special candle, the fire from whichtrying to get everyone present in the temple. Receiving light from the Lord, believers emphasize their desire to be like him and, with their grace-filled faith, illuminate the lives of other people.
In Christianity, the Easter candle is deeply symbolic - its blessed fire does not go out for forty days. Throughout this period - from Easter to the Ascension - it is believed that Christ is invisibly on earth. Just like in biblical times, when after his resurrection he was with his disciples.
Special Candles
On the Easter holiday in the church shop you can also find red Easter candles. What does this color mean? Several interpretations can be given here. First: Easter is a red holiday. This name can be translated as "beautiful".
The second interpretation is connected with the legend according to which Tiberius, the Roman emperor, who did not believe in the Resurrection, believed in it after the miracle happened. The white egg, received from Mary Magdalene as a gift, after his words that this is impossible, suddenly turned red.
The third and, perhaps, the most correct explanation is that the red color of the candle is a symbol of the blood of Christ, who washed away human sins with it.
What to do with the Easter candle
This question is asked by many when, after the consecration of Easter cakes, they return home from worship. The main thing to remember is that the Easter candle is a blessed symbol of Christ's Resurrection and therefore requires a reverent attitude.
It can be placedin the temple in front of the icon of the Savior, the Mother of God or a saint. But it is better to take it home and light it in front of the icons. This is exactly what people did in the old days. After all, an Easter candle flaming with blessed fire is a symbol of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for the salvation of mankind.
With a lit candle and a prayer, you can go around every corner of the house, illuminating your home with the Holy Light of the Resurrection of Christ and giving it hope for a new life.
