Candles

Upon entering a church one lights a candle. Although it seems simple it is actually a very deep and meaningful act.

By lighting a candle it is not only for oneself, but for family members and anyone else for God to watch over.

Different meanings

Lighting a candle is making an offering to God. It is offering our prayers and thanks to Him for His blessings.

Lighting a candle is a symbol of prayer. The act of lighting a candle is a prayer without words, although still say a prayer as one lights a candle.

The light represents the people and the Faith. When standing in church one is like the flame, alive and attentive to the Word of God. Therefore, it represents one’s presence in the church. It is also a reminder that Christ is the LIGHT of the world and the FLAME is the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, the candle is like a person – coming into the church from the world with a harden heart. Just as the heat of the flame melts the wax making it soft, hopefully the same will happen for the individual and their heart will soften and accept God.

At most candle stands there will be one main candle in the middle. Light your candle from this one – it is symbolic as this main candle (representing Christ) offers light to all the small ones (the people).

How to light your candle

After making a donation:

• light the candle(s);
• quietly say a prayer whilst lighting it;
• make the sign of Cross; then
• go venerate the icons.

If you have more than one candle, repeat each stage for each candle before going to venerate the icons.

One custom, if the candle stand contains sand, is to draw a small sign of the Cross in the sand with the candle then place it in the middle.

Buying a candle

Before lighting a candle a donation is made to help cover the church’s expenses.

Although the thicker candles have a set price, the thinner ones do not as the church wants to make them affordable for everyone. Therefore, it is up to the person’s discretion how much to give.

The donation should be based upon one’s circumstances and what they are able to give. Someone who lives a very comfortable life is better able to give more than a person who is impoverished. A person who falls into the latter category is actually allowed to take the candle for free, but only if they are truly struggling to survive.

In short, give to the church according to one’s means.

Lighting tall candles

There is the custom of lighting very tall, thick candles.

As lighting a candle is an offering to God, these larger candles are for people who are praying for a miracle.

The tallness symbolises the person’s prayer being closer to Heaven so God can hear it. These candles range from 1m to 3m. They are then placed in a specially designed candle box to hold them.

They are more expensive but it expresses the person’s faith because it shows how much they want their prayers answered.

Use of candles at home

Church candles can be used at home, such as for house blessings or burning the Holy Light on Pascha.

There are several types, including:

†       Paschal lambathes (candles)

†       white, 40-day pre-Ascension candles

†       plain yellow candles

†       natural beewax

By keeping them in the icon corner they are held on reserve. It also helps when transferring the Holy Light on Pascha to the kantilia.

It is a good way of supporting the church and maintaining a very close connection. As the icon corner is the “home church” it should be treated the same as an actual church.

Filakto

These are colourful parchments made in monasteries to ward off evil from the person who pins them to their clothes. Not only are they blessed items but they are also worn to remind a person of their Orthodox Faith.

They contain either:

†       flower petals from the Epitaphios carried on Holy Friday night

†       cotton wool with oil and myrrh from church

†       pieces of olive branch or basil that have been used by a priest in some ceremony

†       dirt from the grave of a Saint

†       burnt candle shavings from a Church altar

The general rule is that it has to be something from holy ground or something that has been blessed. Any one item, or a combination, is sewn into a very small, triangular sachet and sometimes adorned with beads in the sign of the Cross.

 

They are commonly seen pinned to the clothes of young babies who have yet to be baptised. However, even adults wear them discretely.

They can be pinned to the outside of clothes or held in the person’s pockets.

Historical Story

“Constantinato” were gold medallions that St. Helena had commissioned and named after her son Constantine. Legend says that these medallions contained wood shavings from the Holy Cross itself, mixed in with the gold.

Visiting the cemetery

It is vital to regularly visit and pray at the graves of loved ones.

The body lays waiting for Christ’s Second Coming when on that day the body and soul, separated at death, will become one again. Therefore it is important not to forget the deceased.

By tending to loved ones graves it is a reminder that death is a reality and part of the journey towards everlasting rest, if prepared spiritually. Remembrance of death is actually beneficial – it encourages repentance, a change of heart and love towards God. It also brings joy to the deceased person as the prayers read still assist them with their Salvation.

Attending the grave

Orthodox graves tend to be simple. Usually there is a small box/cabinet at the foot or head of the grave where items like oil, matches, wicks, incense and icons can be stored.

Things to do when visiting a grave:

·        wash and clean the grave of dirt and dust;

·        place fresh flowers;

·        light the kantilia and leave it burn;

·        burn incense and make the sign of the Cross;

·        read the ‘prayer for the deceased’ and any other prayers.

Regularly attending graves also encourages a person to remember their loved one and admire their good qualities. As modern life can be quite hectic, tending to graves forces one to take some time out and focus on what’s actually important, their spiritual well-being and Salvation.

Gifts to church or monastery

It is always good to give gifts/offerings to the church or monastery. It is an act of almsgiving (charity) which is not only beneficial for the Church but as an act of devotion and love towards God.

We should still give such gifts freely even when things in life are going well. It is a blessing upon that person and their family.

Types of gifts to give include:

·        Olive oil – to be burnt in the church’s kantilia

·        Sweet wine – used for Holy Communion to become the Blood of Christ

·        Prosphoron – used for Holy Communion to become the Body of Christ

·        Flowers & basil – for various feastdays and the Epitaphios on Holy Friday

·        Labour & time – to do physical work or assist in the administration of the church

·        Donations – not only at the Divine Liturgy but when the church is in need

How do I give to the church?

When giving such gifts it should be done discretely and avoid attracting attention. If done for attention then one becomes like the Pharisees who gloated over their “good works” and the blessing becomes void.

A lovely custom is to leave the gifts (i.e oil and wine) at the foot of Panagia’s, Christ’s or the saint’s icon. Another place is to leave it in the Narthex of the church with the candles.

So in short, light a candle, say a prayer and leave.

If it is about giving time and labour to work at the church or monastery either ask the priest or the person in charge of chores. Do the work with obedience, humility and love – it will be a great blessing.

Icon corner

An icon corner is an essential feature of any Orthodox house. It becomes the family's place of worship – the home altar.

The concept of the church of the home is an ancient Orthodox tradition, beginning in the first century. At this time there were no separate churches, so Christians would gather in private homes to worship.

Location and set-up

Icon corners are typically located in the east-facing wall of the house, since East is the traditional direction for Orthodox prayer.

Most commonly based in the kitchen as this is where the family gathers together to eat. However, even the living room can have an icon corner.

The purpose of an icon corner is to provide a focal point in the house for the family to worship and pray. To feel the presence of God and to always be within close proximity to give honour to Him.

Each family’s bedroom should also have a small icon corner for private prayer, meditation and to feel God’s presence.

Objects

There are many items which are placed within the icon corner:

• Icon of Christ
• Icon of the Theotokos
• Icon of the family's patron saint
• A cross
• Other icons – those of saints of family members and significant church events
• A prayer book
• The Bible
• Vigil lamp
• Seasonal items:

·        First piece cut from the Vasilopita at the feast of St Basil (1 Jan)

·        Holy water from the Theophany church service (6 Jan)

·        Palm Crosses from the Palm Sunday service

·        Holy oil from the Holy Unction service on Holy Wednesday

·        Bay leaves from Holy Saturday Matins service

·        Flowers from special services – Good Friday, Exaltation of the Holy Cross etc.

·        Paschal egg & koulourakia

• Seal for Communion bread
• Censer with incense and charcoal pellets
• Candles from church
• marriage crowns
• anything else that has religious importance.

The perishable items should be eaten, distributed to the birds, or burnt if it is necessary to dispose of them. These items have either been blessed at church and/or have remained in a place where prays are made to God.

Some items (such as Holy Oil, candles, incense etc) can be kept in a cupboard underneath the icon corner or in a small decorated box in the icon corner.

Tamata

A tama (plu. tamata) is a votive offering or promise for something to happen when someone requires help or a miracle. They are rectangular pieces of metal (tin, silver or gold) with miniature body parts or other objects shaped on them. The embossed image on the plaque symbolises the subject of prayer (the miracle) for which the tama is offered.

Tamata may be offered at the icon of a saint as a reminder of a faithful person’s particular need or in gratitude for a prayer answered.

They are the vehicle through which someone invests their faith. They are a link between the faithful and the Holy Spirit.

Other offerings include: candles, prosphora, wine, oil, or incense. In addition, many will leave something of personal value, such as jewellery or military decoration as a sign of devotion. Some people leave crutches or walking frames as thanks of being healed.

Saint John of Damascus

One of the most famous tama offerings is that by St John of Damascus.

While he was serving as Vizier to the Caliph, he was falsely accused of treachery and his hand was cut off. Upon praying in front of an icon of the Theotokos his hand was miraculously restore. In thanksgiving, he had a silver replica of his hand fashioned and attached it to the icon.

This wonderworking icon of the Theotokos, now called “The Three-handed” (pictured), is preserved today at Hilander Monastery on Mount Athos.

When does the need arise?

A tama is purchased when the individual or a loved one is ill, lonely, unable to conceive, looking for work etc. In other words, there is no situation which does not require a tama.

Which one to buy?

There is a wide range that can be purchased from a church or monastery. Some of the more common ones are ears, ankles, fingers and houses.

It should be noted one may not find a tama specifically for what they need, however, it is the intention and prayer that defines what is being asked for. The images are capable of multiple interpretations:

Heart – a prayer for love or a heart problem

Eyes – an eye affliction

Hands or legs – maladies of the limbs

Pair of wedding crowns – a prayer for a happy marriage

Torso – afflictions of the body

A good example is that of a young comedian in Greece. The man required a tama for the loss of his sense of humour. The vendor questioned him whether he thought it involved the mind or the heart. The young man was not sure so the vendor gave him a tama of the whole body.

Tin, silver or gold?

The choice of material depends on the person’s faith and how much they can afford. There is no evidence that a more costly tama is more effective.

Which saint?

Deciding which saint is entirely up to the individual. It can be a patron saint, the saint the person derived their name from or a saint the person greatly admires. You can also choose Panagia or Christ – ask a spiritual father for help.

For example, for a miracle involving the eyes/sight leave a tama at a church dedicated or with the icon of St Paraskeva – she is considered to be a healer of the blind.

What to I do with my tama? 

Once a tama has been purchased:

†       take it to the church

†       light a candle

†       tie it with a ribbon to the horizontal pole under the icon, relics or shrine of your choice

†       say a prayer asking God or the saint for help

†       leave a gift/offering to the church (i.e wine, biscuits, flowers, prosphora etc)

What to do when the miracle occurs

It is also important to thank God and the saint for making the miracle happen.

In Greece, a person hung a tama, offered some koulourakia (round coffee biscuits) and lit a candle at the Panagia church on the island of Andros. When the miracle happened she would send biscuits and money to this church once a year.

This is a wonderful act of thanksgiving, dedication and love to God as it is only He who allows our prayers to come true. By giving gifts to the Church annually it expresses the person’s gratitude to God.

Source: stories from Adrian Vrettos

Basil

Basil is the official flower of the Orthodox Church. A rare and beautiful plant it was found by St Helen growing above where the Cross of Christ was hidden in 325 AD. The name ‘Basil’ was named in honour her – Vasiliko ‘flower of royalty’.

Uses of basil

It is used extensively in Church services for blessings and purification. Its main purpose is for sprinkling Holy Water and to bless the faithful. When a blessing of water is done the faithful come up to the priest kiss the Cross he holds, his right hand and are then lightly tapped on the head with basil soaked in Holy Water.

Faithful people can offer basil to the church when it is needed for a service. It can also be left as an offering beneath icons or relics.

If growing basil in pots keep a pot at the front and back doors of the house. As a flower of the Church and its association with the finding of the Cross it will help keep evil from entering the home.

Basil can also be used to decorate the Church, Theophany (6^th Jan), during Holy Week or even placed in a glass of water and placed at the icon corner.

It is a good idea to grow basil as it is used many times either at Church or for home use.

Important!!

Once basil has been dipped in Holy Water it cannot be thrown away in the rubbish. It should be buried in a corner of the garden when no person or animal walks, or burnt.

How to look after basil

Basil grows relatively easy, especially once established. Some helpful tips:

·        get a variety with white flowers (same type St Helen found)

·        grows well in pots – leave in the garden or balcony

·        keep in a sunny spot

·        give it a light trim from time-to-time to encourage extra growth

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.

Prayer ropes

Prayer ropes (Grk: komboskini) are a loop of knots made of black-dyed wool (symbolising repentance). They are used to keep track of the number of prayers said by moving along each knot. It also keeps the person in a state of prayer and maintains concentration.

They are chiefly used for reciting the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner) in order to pray without ceasing (St Paul in I Thessalonians 5:17) and achieve what is known as “prayer of the heart”. The prayer Kύριε έλέησον (Lord have Mercy) is also common. There is also the repetitive prayer of "Most Holy Theotokos pray for us".

Design

They vary greatly in length, traditionally 100 knots. The number of knots is symbolic – 50 represents Pentecost, 12 represents the number of Apostles, 33 represents the age of Christ when crucified etc. Some are long ropes and some are bracelets which can be worn on the wrist.

They usually have a brightly coloured bead or Cross – this acts as an interval so the person knows how many prayers they have said.

Some have a tassel weaved into it (see first picture) which is to wipe the tears of joy for someone in deep prayer.

They should not be worn as a piece of jewellery/fashion accessory or “good-luck charm”. They can be worn on the wrist or kept in one’s pocket. The purpose is to always have it handy.

How to use a prayer rope

Option 1

At any time of the day, without being seen by anyone, hold the prayer rope in the left or right hand and move from knot to knot using the thumb whispering simultaneously or meditating upon the Jesus Prayer, “Lord have Mercy” or "Most Holy Theotokos pray for us".

Option 2

During one’s regular prayers (ie. praying according to the prayer rule one’s spiritual father has instructed to follow) hold the prayer rope in the left hand between the thumb and the index finger and move from knot to knot. At each knot simultaneously do two things:

i)                   with the right hand make the sign of the Cross; and

ii)                say the Jesus Prayer.

Once finished with all the knots of the prayer rope, continue to follow the same procedure, for as many times as one’s spiritual father has advised.

Origins of the prayer rope

Previously, monks would count their prayers by throwing pebbles into a bowl, but this was not practical. St Pachomius (4^th century) devised the prayer rope as an aid for illiterate monks to accomplish a consistent number of prayers and prostrations.

The method of tying the prayer rope is attributed to the Father of Orthodox Monasticism, St Anthony the Great. He started by tying a leather rope with a simple knot for every time he prayed “Lord have Mercy”, but the Devil would come and untie the knots to throw off his count. He was then showed a way of tying the prayer rope by an angel so that the knots themselves would constantly make the sign of the Cross.

This is why prayer ropes today are still tied using knots which each contain seven little crosses being tied over and over. The Devil could not untie it because the Devil is vanquished by the Sign of the Cross.

"When mind and heart are united in prayer and the soul is wholly concentrated in a single desire for God, then the heart grows warm and the light of Christ begins to shine and fills the inward man with peace and joy.” – St. Seraphim of Sarov

Sign of the Cross

“When do I sign myself with the Cross?” Short answer, whenever you need to!

The Cross – which Christ willingly took up in order that humanity may be saved from death and have eternal life with Him – banishes all evil and absolutely nothing is greater than the power of the Cross. Therefore, use it!

How to sign with the Cross?

Not only is it easy to do, but this “gesture” summaries the entirety of the Faith within the palm of the hand.

(1)  take the right hand; 

(2)  pinch the thumb, index & middle fingers together – this represents the 3 Persons of the Holy Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The three separate yet indivisible Persons who are one God; 

(3)  fold the ring-finger and little-finger together into the palm of the hand – this represents the 2 natures of Jesus Christ – that He was both God and Man. Folding these two fingers together into the palm also represents that Christ came down to Earth from Heaven to become like us, except without sin.

Then, to make our Cross, start with:

(1) touch the forehead; then

(2) down to the chest, then

(3) from the right shoulder (4) across to the left shoulder.

Whether a person crosses themselves once or three times the final Cross is completed with an open palm on our heart.

An interpretation

In making the sign of the Cross, first touch the forehead to make the mind and thoughts pure in order to understand the teachings of Christ. Then by touching the chest to make one’s heart holy and kind, and to fill the heart with love for Christ and for other people. Then by touching the right shoulder and then the left shoulder so that the person may receive from God spiritual and physical strength to do good works. The right shoulder is touched first in remembrance that when Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven He sat at the right hand of God in Heaven.

When making the sign of the Cross, it should be made carefully, reverently and earnestly, and the person should always bow their head slightly as a sign of humility and reverence.

A layperson interpretation

The vertical line from forehead to chest  = One God…

The horizontal line from right to left shoulder = who loves all of humanity.

Some important points

†       Do not rush.

†       Do not make a small Crosses

†       If there is only time to make one Cross do it with care rather than rush to do three.

When to sign with the Cross?

A short list (only some) when to sign oneself with the Cross:

†       whenever someone feels the need

†       when venerating icons or relics

†       before, during and after prayer

†       before kissing an Icon, Cross, or the Gospel Book

†       before and after eating

†       when leaving the house

†       before travelling or driving anywhere – in the car, plane, boat etc.

†       when you/someone is suffering

†       see or hear of something tragic

†       walking past a church/monastery/cemetery

†       giving thanks

†       before and after reading the Bible

†       before and after doing a task

†       before and after going into surgery etc…

To show that something belongs to Christ and is consecrated to Christ, mark it with the sign of the Cross. All Christians should wear their Cross because we all belong to Christ.

How many times should we make the sign of the Cross?

One should make the sign of the Cross three times. The three times symbolize the Holy Trinity and the three days that Christ was dead. However, only once if time is short, for example, during Liturgy prayers.

Icons

These deeply rich, complex and beautiful images of holy beings and saints are worthy of entire encyclopaedias of discussion. However, this page will only focus on their daily use in Orthodox practise.

Display

They should be put everywhere, but not done in a showy way or treated as artwork. In short, icons can be placed:

·        home icon corner

·        anywhere where the person/family live – every room in the house

·        vehicle used for transportation (i.e car, truck etc.)

·        office (but not to draw attention)

Do not keep them hidden, but at the same time, especially in the workplace, be humble and respectful where they are placed.

Purpose of icons

Here are some important facts about icons:

1. Orthodox DO NOT WORSHIP icons, they are VENERATED;
2. icons are filled with symbolism to convey information about the person or event depicted;
3. the event depicted is not a ‘photograph’ or exact historical representation – instead they express the Faith’s theology;
4. they show the spiritual nature of the people depicted, not their earthly appearance; and
5. miraculous icons are not miraculous due to their material nature, but are miraculous because of the glory of the saint who is depicted.

Icons are often illuminated by an oil lamp because oil lamps symbolise the Light of the World, who is Christ.

Also, some icons are covered with a silver or gold ‘shield’ (riza) in order to preserve the icon. Such icons usually leave the faces and hands of the saints exposed for veneration (left: Panagia Kamariani, Red Hill).

Blessing icons

The Church has a tradition that once icons are made they should be blessed. This is done either by:

†       leaving the icon(s) at a local church/monastery or ask that the icon(s) be placed in the Holy Table (Agia Trapeza) for a period of 40 days; or

†       get a priest to do a special blessing for icons with holy water.

Always support the church/monastery by purchasing icons from them as they have remained on holy ground and have been blessed. It is better to support the Church instead of commercial outlets who carry no blessing and sell icons only for profit.

Showing respect

Regularly clean any dust or spills from icons. By caring for icons it’s doing a service for the holy things of God.

Icons are also to be blessed with incense when one regularly blesses their house.

Do not forget, every human being is a living icon of God. So do not only treat icons with respect, but every human being.