The Jerusalem candle is a spiritual gift. This is a consecrated item that is kept with household shrines. How to light Jerusalem candles? On what holidays can this be done?
Orthodox Christians who received them as a gift often do not know what they are for. Jerusalem candles carry a particle of the Holy Fire. But there are some restrictions on their use.
Where do Jerusalem candles come from?
Jerusalem candle is a torch of 33 candles. Their number corresponds to the lived earthly years of Jesus Christ. On the eve of Easter, on Great Saturday, the Holy Fire descends. In the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem), a special service is performed, at the end of which the clergy bring out the Holy Light (or the Holy Fire). It symbolizes the resurrection of the Savior.
According to legend, if the Holy Fire does not come down on this day, then the Apocalypse will come, the end of the world and the temple will be destroyed.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims come to Jerusalem to receive the Holy Light. Many torches are lit on this day from the Holy Fire. Jerusalem candles (the photo shows that they come in differentcolors) preserve the energy of purity and holiness for many years. By direct flight, the received Holy Fire is taken to Cyprus and Greece. And then it is shipped all over the world.
On the sacred land of Jerusalem, monks make candles. They are made from beeswax. Therefore, a fake is easy to recognize - real Jerusalem candles exude the smell of honey.
Appearance of the Holy Fire
The appearance of the Holy Light in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is considered one of the miracles of Orthodoxy. This sacrament is watched not only by pilgrims, but also by viewers from all over the world.
On the eve of the service, all lamps, candles, chandeliers are extinguished. The patriarch undresses to his cassock. This is done so that it can be seen that he does not have matches or other items with him that contribute to the extraction of fire. This custom appeared after the Turkish authorities searched inside the chapel. They even checked the patriarch's pockets for matches or other supplies.
For the descent of the Holy Fire, the sacristan brings a lamp and 33 Jerusalem candles into the cave (Edicule). The significance of this action is the miraculous self-ignition, which has been studied for centuries. A lamp filled with oil is placed in the middle of the Picturesque Coffin. Patriarchs (Orthodox and Armenian) enter Edicule and seal the cave with them with wax.
In the temple, those present quietly pray, confess their sins. The wait lasts from 5 minutes to several hours. At the moment when flashes of fire appear in Kuvuklia -a bell sounds. The patriarchs come out blessing the people and distributing the Holy Light.
In the first minutes, the Holy Fire does not burn. Pilgrims scoop it up with their hands while performing ablutions. Such actions purify, instill joy and happiness in the soul from joining the miracle.
Two Patriarchs
The presence of the Armenian Archimandrite at the descent of the Holy Light is a long tradition. It appeared at a time when Jerusalem was under the rule of the Muslims. The legend says that the Armenians bought the right to single-handedly perform the ceremony in Kuvuklia from the local ruler for huge money. The Armenian Patriarch spent about a day in the cave, praying for the descent of the Fire. Other Holy Fathers were not even allowed into the church. They stood side by side in the square. But the Holy Light never appeared in the cave.
The Patriarch of Constantinople was praying next to the temple, along with other priests. A beam that struck from the sky hit the column, near which stood the Orthodox Patriarch. Fiery bursts sprayed from the column in different directions. All the people standing near the temple lit candles.
After this incident, the ruler of Jerusalem ordered the rite in Kuvuklia to be performed only by the Patriarch of Constantinople. And the Armenian archimandrite, as a warning, from then on should have entered the cave with him and watched the ceremony.
Strange events in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Often the descent of the Holy Fire is accompanied by strange events. Lightning-like flashes sparkle in different places of the temple. Sometimes, after such sparkles, luminous balls appear. They move fast in a crowd of peopleor above it, without being crushed or blurred. At some point, the luminous ball lights the nearest candle or disappears after sparkling.
The descent of the Holy Light, in some cases, is accompanied by sound phenomena. They are recorded in ancient historical sources, and are described in modern evidence. You can hear the rumble of thunder when the sun is clear and the sky is clear.
Stories about self-healing items are much less common. For example, a klobuk or an apostle lights up during the descent of Fire. But after the flames are extinguished, things turn out to be whole, without scorched edges or burnt holes.
Blood and myrrh flow occurs at the moment of the appearance of the Holy Light. The very first case was described in 1572. Drops resembling blood appeared on the fez “Laying on the Crown of Thorns”. In the 19th century, the fez was replaced with an icon with a similar plot. And at the beginning of the 20th century (in 1939), on the night before Easter, she began to stream myrrh. This happened again in 2001. The icon has been streaming myrrh since the evening of Good Friday, but by Easter it returned to its former, untouched appearance.
The strangest thing is that after episodes of myrrh flow, major historical events occurred, accompanied by mass deaths of people. So, in 1572, after 5 months, St. Bartholomew's night took place. In 1939, after 5 months, World War II began. In 2001, 5 months after the fact of myrrh flow, there was a terrorist attack in the United States. The famous twin towers were destroyed, a large number of people died.
Howlight Jerusalem candles?
A torch lit from the Holy Light is immediately extinguished. It is important to know that Jerusalem candles must not be blown out. You can extinguish them only with a cap or fingers - in this way the holiness and amazing properties of the Holy Fire will be preserved in them.
Jerusalem candle, scorched by the Holy Light, requires proper storage and careful handling. Each ignition carries miraculous energy. Priests do not recommend separating a bunch of slashes. But in everyday life, people often give relatives, acquaintances, one candle each from a torch. Such a present personifies faith in eternal life and brings with it a particle of grace.
How to burn Jerusalem candles? What holiday is best to use them? The torch can be lit with an ordinary match. From this, he will not lose wonderful properties. Then a church candle is lit from the torch. She becomes the bearer of the Holy Fire. And Jerusalem candles can be extinguished with a cap until the next time.
On Easter, a church candle is lit from the entire bunch. On other days and Orthodox holidays, it is allowed to light one Jerusalem candle and from it set fire to the church. This way the torch will last longer.
It is forbidden to light Jerusalem candles during the days of mourning, at Christmas, on Good Friday of Holy Week. This church ban is non-negotiable.
Storage rules
33 Jerusalem candles are a powerful amulet. How to use, where to store the holy torch? The bundle can be placed on the home iconostasis. Do not store candles in a closetor sideboard. Even unlit, they carry a particle of light and grace. If there is not a single icon in the house, the torch can be placed on a shelf in the red corner - this is the far right corner from the door.
After the Jerusalem candle has settled in the house, it should be lit and a prayer of thanksgiving read.
It is impossible to allow strong cooling or heating of the torch. At temperatures below -15º it will crack. And if the apartment is hot, above +25º, then the candles will begin to deform. Direct sunlight will fade their color.
It is optimal to wrap the bundle in linen or cotton fabric and place it next to household shrines - amulet, cross, prayer book.
What are they for?
People who received a torch as a gift, sometimes, are perplexed - why do we need Jerusalem candles? What to do with them?
The power of the Holy Fire is transmitted through the flame of the torch. If you light a church candle from him, it will also become a carrier of the Holy Light. With it, you can clean the apartment of negative energy. Or put at the head of a seriously ill person. By candlelight, you can pray and ask for the fulfillment of desire.
Why light Jerusalem candles? How to use them? With a lit candle, you can ask:
- about getting rid of sadness and sorrow;
- about forgiveness and remission of sins;
- about getting rid of want, loneliness, illness;
- about improving things;
- about promising work;
- aboutgood luck in trading;
- about the he alth of children and parents;
- about getting rid of alcoholism, drug addiction;
- about admonishing a bad husband (wife);
- about protection from enemies, ill-wishers;
- about easy childbirth and baby's he alth;
- about improving relations;
- about a successful journey;
- about happiness in marriage.
Jerusalem candles can be used before starting a new, good deed and for consecration:
- new purchases (real estate, car);
- newlyweds;
- newborn.
Prayer in front of a candle to read in complete solitude, looking at the flame. If there is no home prayer book, requests made in your own words are allowed.
Wish Fulfillment
Jerusalem candles help to fulfill the cherished desire. How to use them to make a dream come true?
All requests, prayers, desires are discussed one on one with the Higher powers. You should light a candle, looking at the fire, concentrate on the dream. Imagine that the wish has already come true. For a few minutes, think about how life will change after the fulfillment of a dream.
Every day (from 3 to 7 days) you can ask for a miracle. After asking, be sure to thank God for all the good luck in life. At the end of the prayer, put out the candle, without talking to anyone, go to bed.
Jerusalem candles: the meaning of flowers
The torch, scorched by the Holy Fire, is in itself a spiritual gift and has miraculous power. Often such a beam becomes an attribute of magical influences. clergymenharshly condemn the use of the blessed power of fire for witchcraft purposes. Love spells with Jerusalem candles are prohibited.
But for the fulfillment of desires, bundles of different colors can be found on sale. Each of them has its own meaning and allows you to quickly come to the desired result. Jerusalem candles are a source of great energy. The meaning of flowers will help to concentrate the fertile power to bring good luck to the house or get rid of loneliness.
Wax can "absorb" a lot of information. And the colors of the Jerusalem candles give them a peculiar character, a peculiarity.
Black color
The black color of candles will help to cope with the problems and troubles that have piled up. He struggles with depression, blues, loss of strength.
If a person suspects that a negative impact has been imposed on him (damage, evil eye, curse) - you should definitely pray with black Jerusalem candles lit. They will help neutralize someone else's intrusion into the human field.
If a small child begins to visit public places (kindergarten, school), you should light a black candle in the morning and before going to bed.
Red color
The symbol of love energy is red. The Jerusalem candle will help to remove the crown of celibacy, to get rid of loneliness. Red, she will protect the house, family from quarrels and scandals. Prayers before her will help you find love.
If betrayal has begun, it is worth lighting a red candle every evening. She will return good, harmonious relations to the family.
Greencolor
Green is responsible for material well-being. A Jerusalem candle of this shade will bring financial prosperity, relieve need. It will help you find a job to your liking and strength. Will return good luck to the house.
Prayers in front of a green candle will restore lost he alth. The green torch will help with alcoholism, drug addiction, impotence. You can also pray by candlelight for the birth of a he althy child.
Yellow color
Yellow Jerusalem candles are a powerful amulet. How to use them at home? Before a serious conversation, yellow candles are lit on a long journey. They will bring support in new business and undertakings.
If there is a curse in the family, the yellow torch will smooth out the negative program. In case of illness, depression, failure, one should pray, ask the Jerusalem candle for the fulfillment of a wish.
White color
White is neutral. It protects people and the house from negative influences, slander, unkind visitors. The white torch will bring peace and harmony.
Prayers in front of a white candle bestow wisdom, patience. Bring back peace of mind. It is lit in difficult times and asked to give strength, calmness in a difficult life situation.
Conclusion
The very first evidence of the Holy Fire comes from the VI century. But they contain a description of an earlier descent of Light. Some Christian denominations are offended that the Holy Fire does not appear on their Easter. Why is it that only the Orthodox faith is marked by such a miracle? There is a legend that it is the closest to the teachings of Christ. How true is thisstatement? Until now, theological disputes have been going on, in which each denomination defends its point of view.
Jerusalem candles have a powerful potential - they allow you to feel the Divine spirit at home. They can be purchased or received as a gift only once a year - after the Easter holiday. When using candles allowed:
- separate them, give, use one candle at a time;
- light an ordinary candle from Jerusalem;
- set fire to the whole torch or one candle during prayers, holidays;
- extinguish the Jerusalem candle with a cap, fingers (do not blow out).
Jerusalem candles are lit during prayers and Orthodox holidays, in days of troubles and doubts. Their gracious power will help strengthen faith, give strength, fill the house with positive energy.
The torch is not lit on Good Friday of Holy Week and at Christmas. Jerusalem candles are a symbol of joy and the miracle of the resurrection.
