View source for Spirituality of Rituals: The Meaning of the Use of Light within the Church

The Lord commanded Moses to have a Golden Lamp in The Tabernacle and Solomon the King 
had the same in The Temple as the Lord commanded him “the lampstands and the lamp of fine gold 
that were to burn in the front of the Most Holy Place as prescribed.” (II Chronicles 4:20) 
“Command the people of Israel to bring you the best olive oil for the lamp so that it can be lit 
each evening.” (Exodus 27:20) “Make a lampstand of pure gold.” (Exodus 5:31) Light would not be a 
symbolic representation which would become obsolete such as the sacrifices which no longer 
continued after the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.  
 
Use of light became an apostolic tradition in the primitive Church as documented in the Holy 
Book of Acts, “On Sunday evening we gathered together for the fellowship. Paul spoke to the people 
and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was  going to leave the next day. Many lamps were 
burning in the high room where they were gathered.” (Acts 20:7-8)   
 
The Apostles set forth in their law, “The church should be lit with many lamps as the Kingdom 
of Heaven has especially during reading of the Holy Gospel.” Also, they instructed the lamps should 
be lit specifically using pure olive oil. St. Gregory the Theologian stated, “Use of lamps and candles 
was one of the holy rituals in the Church during liturgy and different mysteries.” Irinomos who lived 
in the 4th century wrote that candles and lamps were being used in all the churches during his time. It 
can be concluded that use of candles and lamps was apostolic tradition in all apostolic churches in the 
East and the West. 
 
Candles and light, both are a symbol of the glory and Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ 
in the Church (Matthew 8:28; Revelation 1:12-13 and 2:1) and so candles should be lit for honoring 
the Lord. Candles and light illuminate the Church  as the earthly Kingdom of Heaven with its great 
glory (Revelation 21:22-23). One of the Church Fathers' mentioned the Church is the earthly Heaven 
and so should be lit with lamps and candles as the Heaven is illuminated with the angels. Candles and 
light remind the congregation they  are the light of the world and should behave in  the light with 
righteous deeds (Philippians 2:15) as saints who are like stars in the Kingdom of Heaven (Revelation 
1:12, and 4:5).    
 
Candles should be lit during the liturgy as commanded by the Lord (Exodus 40:24-25).  The 
Christian faith obtained through the Lord’s sacrifice during the Divine Liturgy is the extension of the 
Cross’ sacrifice (II Corinthians 4:4-5, I Peter 2:9). The Lord Jesus Christ serves the liturgical mysteries 
as He was the sacrifice and the priest in offering the Cross’ sacrifice with the Divine glory (Psalm 
93:1, 104:1, John 1:9).  The congregation is required to leave evil deeds and to have righteous deeds 
(Romans 12:12-13). Everyone should repent before  partaking of the Holy Communion. Lighting of 
candles and lamps during the Divine Liturgy symbolizes the honor and glory of the New Testament’s 
priesthood and is more honorable than Aaron’s priesthood (Hebrews 7:8-9, II Corinthians 3:7-11). 
 
Candles should be lit during the Holy Gospel Reading signifying that the Holy Gospel’s light 
truly shines everywhere (II Corinthians 4:4). God’s Word is the True Light of Light (Proverbs 6:36).  
God's Word is a lamp to guide us and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105). St. Irinomos mentioned that 
the Church uses the lamps and candles to portray her joy of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ’s 
salvation. The candle which is lit before the Holy Gospel is a symbol of St. John the Baptist who was like a lamp brightly burning and shining (John 5:35) and preaching to the world about the Lord Jesus 
Christ the Savior as the Morning Star which declares the effervescent shining of the sun of healing, 
“But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the 
sun’s rays" (Malachi 4:2) and testified for the Lord Jesus Christ the True Light (John 1:7-9). 
 
Candles should be lit on the Cross during the Blessing of the Congregation as a symbol of the 
Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified on the Holy Cross as the True Light of the world (John 8:12) and 
through His Holy Cross’s sacrifice He elevated us from evil’s darkness to His wonderful light (I Peter 
2:9). 
 
The lamp which is lit at the “Bosom of The  Father” at the most east of the sanctuary is a 
symbol of the star which shone from the east unto the wise-men and led them to the manger in the city 
of Bethlehem where the infant Lord Jesus Christ lay (Matthew 2:9). 
 
Candles should be lit before the icons of the Mother of God St. Mary, the heavenly angels, the 
holy Apostles, righteous martyrs, and honored saints giving tribute as they were the light of the world 
(Matthew 5:15) and they are like stars in the Church through their virtues and teachings and they shine 
in the heavenly kingdom as stars (Matthew 13:43). 
 
Only olive oil and bees wax are used for lighting. The Lord Himself commanded Moses to use 
only olive oil for lighting of the lamp in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:20) and therefore the Apostles too 
commanded no other oils but olive should be used in the Church. Olive oil is a symbol of good deeds 
with them the faith’s lamp shines as the Lord mentioned in His parable of the Wise Virgins (Matthew 
25:3-4), is a symbol of spiritual joy (Psalm 45:7, Hosea 14:6, Judges 9:9) and finally is a symbol of 
God’s grace that shines in our hearts. The vessel which contains the oil is a symbol of the spirit and her 
consciousness which is lit by God’s grace and ready for her Master’s coming. Also, the Church uses 
bees wax because it doesn’t contain animal fats which must not be used in the New Testament service 
and it's fragrant scent is a symbol of good and righteous deeds that the believers should have (II Peter 
1:5-6, Luke 1:75).