Easter candle as a symbol of the holiday: biblical stories and traditions

Among the many holidays that are in the Orthodox calendar, the most famous and, undoubtedly, important is Easter. And the point here is not only that this is a very ancient tradition. The celebration of Easter and all the traditions accompanying it are filled with a deep sacral meaning. One of its symbolic attributes is the Easter candle.

What does it symbolize?

The candle is one of the main assets of the Church. The meaning that is embedded in it, in its burning - is very deep and, depending on the situation, can reveal itself in different ways.

When buying a candle 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, to be transformed, approaching God. This transformation is indicated by the burning of a candle.

Bought and lighted in the church candle - a sign of the spiritual union of man and the Church. This is the small and, in some way, an easy sacrifice, which everyone can do. Any, even the smallest candle is no worse than the big one - after all, as you know, grace is not measured by the usual standards for a person. The main thing is that it should be put and burned with the realization of one's involvement in God and a burning love for him.

A special meaning is acquired by a candle at home. Lighted before the icons while reading the rule or under other circumstances, it emphasizes the prayer mood and symbolizes a passionate appeal to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angel of the Guardian, Nicholas the Miracle-Worker or to his saint.

Easter and candles

During this wonderful Feast the burning of the candle takes on a special meaning. In order to comprehend it, it is necessary to remember the main and most mysterious symbol of Easter - the Holy Fire. His convergence is that great miracle that the Lord gives to humanity. It is continuously repeated in the ceremony of the Holy Light from the very first days of the existence of the Church.

This ceremony is an integral part of the Easter celebrations - the festive service of the Bright Resurrection of Christ. The source confirming this, as you know, is the Gospel. It says that under the Resurrection the coffin was illuminated by an incredibly powerful radiance-the light of the grace of Christ.

It is believed that the accomplishment of this miracle gives mankind life for another year - until the next Easter. Upon arrival from Jerusalem, where this miracle is performed in the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher, the Holy Fire is carried by the priests through the churches.

In the Catholic church, before the festive service begins, Easter is lit - a special candle, the fire from which all those present in the temple try to get. Receiving light from the Lord, believers emphasize their desire to be like him and bless their life with the blessing of others.

In Christianity, the Easter candle is deeply symbolic - its blessed fire does not go out for forty days. All this period - from Easter until Ascension - is considered to be that Christ is invisibly on the earth. As in biblical times, when after his resurrection he was close to his disciples.

Special Candles

On Easter holiday in the church shop you can find red Easter candles. What does this color mean? Here you can give a few interpretations. First: Easter is a red feast. 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 him after the accomplished miracle. A white egg, received from Mary Magdalene as a gift, after his words that such things are impossible, suddenly turned red.

The third and perhaps most correct explanation is that the red color of the candle is a symbol of the blood of Christ, which was washed by 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 remember about this is that the Easter candle is a fertile symbol of Christ's Resurrection and therefore requires a reverential attitude.

It can be placed in the temple in front of the icon of the Savior, the Virgin or the saint. But it's better to take it home and light it before the icons. In the old days people did exactly like this. After all, the blazing flame of the Easter candle is a symbol of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for the salvation of mankind.

With a lighted candle and prayer, you can bypass every corner of the house, lighting up your dwelling with the Holy Light of the Resurrection of Christ and placing in it hope for a new life.