There are always many of them, and at such solemn services as Easter, everyone present holds candles in their hands. And in general, it has become a tradition to light candles in the church and pray for our loved ones, living and dead.
And we are all so used to this that we practically do not think about what a burning candle symbolizes. I once tried to explain its meaning to myself, spontaneously, and immediately stumbled, I did not remember everything, after all, you can’t hold everything in your head. I had to look into church books, and somehow rediscover its meaning for myself.
It turns out that in ancient times, only wax was used to make candles. And not by chance! It is this substance that is extremely rich in subtle symbolic shades.
This is how the famous 15th century church writer, Blessed Simeon of Thessalonica († c. 1429), describes it:
Wax, as the purest substance, signifies our purity and sincerity of sacrifice.
Wax, as a substance on which objects can be imprinted, signifies the seal or sign of the cross, which is placed upon us in baptism and chrismation.
Wax, as a soft and flexible substance, signifies our obedience and readiness to repent of our sinful life.
Wax collected from fragrant flowers signifies the grace of the Holy Spirit.
The wax, composed of many flowers, symbolizes the sacrifice that Christians offer to God.
Wax, as a burnt substance, signifies our deification, for God, as it were, purifies our nature with divine fire.
And finally, wax, which combines fire and light, signifies the union and strength of mutual love and peace among Christians.
In church history, the use of wax and candles began very early. Many testimonies have been preserved.
The third-century Carthaginian bishop Mensurius, before his torture and martyrdom, handed over various church items to the elders of the community, including two candlesticks.
It is interesting that according to ancient church rules, people who stole wax and candles were punished by excommunication from the church.
Blessed Jerome († 420) speaks of candles as a pious custom widely known in the 4th century.
Well, in the 6th century, candles were even mentioned in state laws.
In the code of Emperor Justinian († 565) there was an instruction that no one could begin building a monastery or church until he proved that he was able to allocate enough money for wax, candles, oil, worship, for the preservation of the temple, and for the food and clothing of its servants.
The Seventh Ecumenical Council (787) directly determines the veneration of the cross and icons by kissing, bowing, burning incense and lighting candles, and refers to the antiquity of this custom.
And in the Russian Church for a very long time, almost until recent times, only wax candles were used.
In popular piety, wax from church candles was even considered a medicinal remedy for treating people and domestic animals.
However, there have always been counterfeits. And in church literature there are traces of polemics with those who did not attach such exceptional importance to wax. The arguments of its defenders were as follows:
With the change in composition, wax loses its symbolism. It can no longer express our humility, our obedience, our spiritual softness, because a candle made from it becomes hard, fragile and rough.
And how can such wax symbolize the beneficial influence of God’s Spirit on us, when the candle gives off a suffocating and unpleasant smell. And wax becomes like this from impurities that were often added to candles.
But the candle also has the symbolism of light, connected with prayer. When we light a candle before an icon, it is good to pray to God that He enlightens us with His law, softens and warms our hearts with love for Him.
And when we look at the flame of a candle, flickering and always flowing upward, it is worth thinking about our prayer, so that we can also reverently turn it to God.
See how many meanings a small candle can have if you handle it carefully.
But, unfortunately, more often than not, it happens as St. Theophan the Recluse once ironically noted:
“It’s very similar to when someone runs into a church, lights a candle and runs off to do his business: let the candle pray!”
Author: Archpriest Vladimir Bashkirov
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