http://suscopts.org/w/index.php?title=Spirituality_of_Rituals:_The_Meaning_of_the_Use_of_Light_within_the_Church&feed=atom&action=historySpirituality of Rituals: The Meaning of the Use of Light within the Church - Revision history2024-03-29T00:43:44ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.28.0http://suscopts.org/w/index.php?title=Spirituality_of_Rituals:_The_Meaning_of_the_Use_of_Light_within_the_Church&diff=389&oldid=prevNshehad: Created page with "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 f..."2012-10-12T20:44:16Z<p>Created page with "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 f..."</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>The Lord commanded Moses to have a Golden Lamp in The Tabernacle and Solomon the King <br />
had the same in The Temple as the Lord commanded him “the lampstands and the lamp of fine gold <br />
that were to burn in the front of the Most Holy Place as prescribed.” (II Chronicles 4:20) <br />
“Command the people of Israel to bring you the best olive oil for the lamp so that it can be lit <br />
each evening.” (Exodus 27:20) “Make a lampstand of pure gold.” (Exodus 5:31) Light would not be a <br />
symbolic representation which would become obsolete such as the sacrifices which no longer <br />
continued after the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. <br />
<br />
Use of light became an apostolic tradition in the primitive Church as documented in the Holy <br />
Book of Acts, “On Sunday evening we gathered together for the fellowship. Paul spoke to the people <br />
and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was going to leave the next day. Many lamps were <br />
burning in the high room where they were gathered.” (Acts 20:7-8) <br />
<br />
The Apostles set forth in their law, “The church should be lit with many lamps as the Kingdom <br />
of Heaven has especially during reading of the Holy Gospel.” Also, they instructed the lamps should <br />
be lit specifically using pure olive oil. St. Gregory the Theologian stated, “Use of lamps and candles <br />
was one of the holy rituals in the Church during liturgy and different mysteries.” Irinomos who lived <br />
in the 4th century wrote that candles and lamps were being used in all the churches during his time. It <br />
can be concluded that use of candles and lamps was apostolic tradition in all apostolic churches in the <br />
East and the West. <br />
<br />
Candles and light, both are a symbol of the glory and Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ <br />
in the Church (Matthew 8:28; Revelation 1:12-13 and 2:1) and so candles should be lit for honoring <br />
the Lord. Candles and light illuminate the Church as the earthly Kingdom of Heaven with its great <br />
glory (Revelation 21:22-23). One of the Church Fathers' mentioned the Church is the earthly Heaven <br />
and so should be lit with lamps and candles as the Heaven is illuminated with the angels. Candles and <br />
light remind the congregation they are the light of the world and should behave in the light with <br />
righteous deeds (Philippians 2:15) as saints who are like stars in the Kingdom of Heaven (Revelation <br />
1:12, and 4:5). <br />
<br />
Candles should be lit during the liturgy as commanded by the Lord (Exodus 40:24-25). The <br />
Christian faith obtained through the Lord’s sacrifice during the Divine Liturgy is the extension of the <br />
Cross’ sacrifice (II Corinthians 4:4-5, I Peter 2:9). The Lord Jesus Christ serves the liturgical mysteries <br />
as He was the sacrifice and the priest in offering the Cross’ sacrifice with the Divine glory (Psalm <br />
93:1, 104:1, John 1:9). The congregation is required to leave evil deeds and to have righteous deeds <br />
(Romans 12:12-13). Everyone should repent before partaking of the Holy Communion. Lighting of <br />
candles and lamps during the Divine Liturgy symbolizes the honor and glory of the New Testament’s <br />
priesthood and is more honorable than Aaron’s priesthood (Hebrews 7:8-9, II Corinthians 3:7-11). <br />
<br />
Candles should be lit during the Holy Gospel Reading signifying that the Holy Gospel’s light <br />
truly shines everywhere (II Corinthians 4:4). God’s Word is the True Light of Light (Proverbs 6:36). <br />
God's Word is a lamp to guide us and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105). St. Irinomos mentioned that <br />
the Church uses the lamps and candles to portray her joy of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ’s <br />
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 <br />
Christ the Savior as the Morning Star which declares the effervescent shining of the sun of healing, <br />
“But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the <br />
sun’s rays" (Malachi 4:2) and testified for the Lord Jesus Christ the True Light (John 1:7-9). <br />
<br />
Candles should be lit on the Cross during the Blessing of the Congregation as a symbol of the <br />
Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified on the Holy Cross as the True Light of the world (John 8:12) and <br />
through His Holy Cross’s sacrifice He elevated us from evil’s darkness to His wonderful light (I Peter <br />
2:9). <br />
<br />
The lamp which is lit at the “Bosom of The Father” at the most east of the sanctuary is a <br />
symbol of the star which shone from the east unto the wise-men and led them to the manger in the city <br />
of Bethlehem where the infant Lord Jesus Christ lay (Matthew 2:9). <br />
<br />
Candles should be lit before the icons of the Mother of God St. Mary, the heavenly angels, the <br />
holy Apostles, righteous martyrs, and honored saints giving tribute as they were the light of the world <br />
(Matthew 5:15) and they are like stars in the Church through their virtues and teachings and they shine <br />
in the heavenly kingdom as stars (Matthew 13:43). <br />
<br />
Only olive oil and bees wax are used for lighting. The Lord Himself commanded Moses to use <br />
only olive oil for lighting of the lamp in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:20) and therefore the Apostles too <br />
commanded no other oils but olive should be used in the Church. Olive oil is a symbol of good deeds <br />
with them the faith’s lamp shines as the Lord mentioned in His parable of the Wise Virgins (Matthew <br />
25:3-4), is a symbol of spiritual joy (Psalm 45:7, Hosea 14:6, Judges 9:9) and finally is a symbol of <br />
God’s grace that shines in our hearts. The vessel which contains the oil is a symbol of the spirit and her <br />
consciousness which is lit by God’s grace and ready for her Master’s coming. Also, the Church uses <br />
bees wax because it doesn’t contain animal fats which must not be used in the New Testament service <br />
and it's fragrant scent is a symbol of good and righteous deeds that the believers should have (II Peter <br />
1:5-6, Luke 1:75).</div>Nshehad