Incense

Incense is an aromatic fragrance which is burnt on charcoals in a decorated burner/censer. It is an offering made to God giving the adoration and worship due only to God.

Made up of fragrant gums and spices it is an offering of earth’s treasures to our Creator, symbolizing prayer. It is also to bless.

The burning of incense also represents zeal towards providing service to God.

Why is it used?

The burning of incense is traced back to worship in the Old Testament.

Today, when the priest swings the censer to and fro it causes clouds of smoke which travel upwards to Heaven – just like our prayers, ‘let my prayer come before you as incense, the lifting up our my hands as an evening sacrifice’ (Psalm 141: 2)

The sweet smelling fragrance represents the Holy Spirit and virtue.

The burning coal represents the burning ember, Jesus Christ, who takes away the sins of the world.

Where it is used

At church, the priest blesses the Sanctuary, icons and relics. The icons & relics are censed to honour God who crowned the saints and to show respect.

When being blessed with the fragrance of incense a person simply bows their head – the fragrance represents God’s Grace poured out upon the people.

When visiting the cemetery – after cleaning the grave, lighting the kantilia and placing flowers – burn some incense over the grave and say the Prayer for the Departed.

At home, it is encouraged to regularly burn incense to bless the house. First, bless the icon corner, each family member and then each room and make the sign of the Cross with the censer in the direction of each of the four walls and any other icons. Also burn some of the flowers that were used to decorate the Epitaphion (Christ’s tomb) on Great & Holy Friday and from the Dormition of Panagia.

A summary of things to bless:

†       icons – the images of holy people

†       family & friends – they are the living icons of God

†       each room of the house – areas of living

†       garden – the plants and creatures are God’s Creation

How to burn incense

Firstly, go outside and light a piece of charcoal (the initial smoke is no good to breath)

Secondly, once it catches on put it in the censer and place a few pieces of incense on top of the burning charcoal.

Finally, in order to bless the house/things make the sign of the Cross. However, when doing steps (3) and (4), reverse the direction. Therefore, instead of right-to-left it becomes left-to-right.

Once the blessings are done leave the censer, with the incense still burning, at the icon corner until it burns out. However, if the fragrance is too strong leave it outside for a little while until it dies down. By leaving it outside the incense is also blessing Creation.

When suitable, leave the censer in the icon corner and say a prayer as it will be carried up to God.