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 it 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 its symbolic attributes is the Easter candle.
What does it symbolize by itself
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 candles in the temple, 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 burning a candle.
A candle bought and lit in a temple is a sign of the spiritual union of man and the Church. This is the small and, in some way, easy burden that everyone is capable of. Any, even the smallest candle is no worse than a large one - after all, as you know, 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 makes a special sense at home. Lighted in front of the icons while reading the rule or in other circumstances, it emphasizes the prayer mood and symbolizes a passionate appeal to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Guardian Angel, Nicholas the Wonderworker or to her saint.
Easter and candles
During this wonderful holiday, burning a candle takes on its own special meaning. In order to comprehend it, you need to remember the main and most mysterious symbol of Easter - the Holy Fire. Its convergence is the great miracle that the Lord gives to humanity. It has been continuously repeated in the ceremony of the Holy Light from the very first days of the Church.
This ceremony is an integral part of Easter celebrations - the festive service of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. The source confirming this, as you know, is the Gospel. It says that during the Resurrection, the tomb was illuminated by an incredibly powerful radiance - the light of the grace of Christ.
It is believed that the commission of this miracle gives humanity one more year 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 priests to churches.
In the Catholic Church before the festive service, Easter is lit - a special candle, from which everyone present in the church tries to get fire. When receiving light from the Lord, believers emphasize their desire to be like him and by their gracious faith to illuminate the life of other people.
In Christianity, the Easter candle is deeply symbolic - its blessed fire does not go out for forty days. All this period - from Easter until the Ascension - it is believed that Christ invisibly abides on earth. As in biblical times, when after His resurrection he was next to his disciples.
Special candles
On Easter, red Easter candles can also be found in the church shop. What does this color mean? Several interpretations can be made here. First: Easter is a red holiday. His 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 him after the miracle had happened. The white egg received as a gift from Mary Magdalene, after his words that it was 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, which washed away human sins.
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 keep in mind is that the Easter candle is a blessed symbol of the Resurrection of Christ and therefore requires a reverent attitude.
It can be placed in the temple in front of the icon of the Savior, the Virgin or the saint. But it is better to take home and light in front of the icons. In ancient times, this is what people did. 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 prayer, you can go around every corner of the house, illuminating the Holy Resurrection of Christ with the Holy Grace and giving it hope for a new life.