In modern churches, the church candlestick has lost many of its functions, some varieties of this utensil are not used due to replacement with electric lamps. Of course, they try to select chandeliers in temples and other lighting fixtures that are as similar in shape to traditional candlesticks as possible.
But, of course, not all types of candlesticks have ceased to be used in churches. For example, a church candlestick for the needs of those who pray has not disappeared anywhere. This utensil is still used during worship services. Also, church shops always offer a wide range of both candlesticks and lamps for home use by believers.
What kind of candlesticks are there?
There are not very few varieties of this utensil, but not every temple uses all existing types of candlesticks, however, as well as electric lamps.
The main types of candlesticks available in every church are:
- floor menorah;
- altar lamps, there are always two of them;
- lamp;
- trikiriy - remote, for three candles;
- dikiriy - remote, for two candles;
- many candles, for the needs of believers.
Multi-candle utensils can be presented either in the form of a simple dish, or decorated with separate holders. If decorated, they can hold 12, 24, 48 or even more candles. Often such a church candlestick is tiered and supplemented with an insert for incense.
About menorah
This kind of candlesticks in modern temples is already rare. In urban churches, it was replaced by electric lamps, similar to a candlestick in appearance.
This is a church floor candlestick. It is designed for seven candles or has inserts for the same number of lamps. This kind of utensils is traditionally installed on the eastern side of the throne in the amount of one piece. However, during large services, the number of seven-candlesticks can be increased, and their location changed.
About altar lamps and lamps
Altarpiece - a candlestick set by a priest. Under the church candle, one used in the service. Altar lamps are always paired. One large and beautiful candle is fixed in each of them. These items of utensils are installed on the eastern ends of the throne - from the north and from the south.
Lampadas are of two main types, according to their purpose and method of use. The first variety is a church candlestick, half-closed and, as a rule, hung on the wall. There are lamps that are not designed for candles, but simply filled with oil. They were the first Christian lamps. In divine services, such lamps are not used, their function is only in one thing - in lighting the temple premises.
The second kind of lamps is used in church services. This is a portable candlestick worn by a deacon and called a "kandilo". Often such utensils are called a polyurethane candlestick.
About dikirion, trikirion and candlestick for one outdoor candle
Dikiriy, like trikirii, is festive, ceremonial utensils. Bishops use it when performing solemn services. Two candles are placed in the dikirium, and three, respectively, in the other candlestick. During the course of the service, with their help, the bishops bless the faithful. The candles used in these types of utensils have their own names - autumn, two- or three-wire.
It is now rare to see a large and heavy candlestick standing on the floor in a functioning temple. For a church candle, large and burning for a long time, due to electrification, there was no room left in the halls. Although in some temples this utensil has been preserved, and it is used to decorate the room before special services, it is easier to see such a candlestick in museums than in churches. Such a candlestick is called "voshchanitsa". Outwardly, it is a cylindrical candle stand placed on a high “leg”, whimsically and extremely richly decorated.
About candlesticks for the needs of believers
Thisthose utensils on which the worshipers place candles in front of the images of the saints. Their execution may be different, there are no canonical restrictions on the form or appearance of such utensils.
As a rule, in small churches with a small number of parishioners, not very large candlesticks, simple in shape, are used. Usually in modern churches, utensils are placed with separate mold holders for each candle and a place for a lamp or an incense burner in the upper center part.
If the temple receives a different number of believers, for example, located near roads or near large markets, then in its hall a candle stand is usually used without separate molds, in the form of a simple large dish. Regardless of the presence or absence of holders for each candle, such church items can be either single-tiered or reminiscent of a whatnot. Tiered candlesticks are usually found in large temples such as cathedrals.
