Slideshow image

What about the Paschal Candle?

 

Every Easter, a large candle is brought out and lit.  It is known as the Paschal Candle (‘Paschal’ coming from ‘Passover’).  

 

Each Paschal Candle has embossed on it, a cross with five nails (for the nails in His hands and feet, the spear which pierced His side, and the crown of thorns upon His head), and the nails may have grains of incense in them, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega (Christ is the Alpha and the Omega: the Beginning and the End), and often the year the candle is dedicated.  

 

Traditionally, Paschal Candles were first lit and blessed at the Easter Vigil, then lit at every service during Easter season (until Pentecost), and again at baptisms.  It stands beside the coffins and urns at funerals.  If there isn’t an Easter Vigil on the Saturday, then the candle is lit on Easter morning at the service of the Resurrection.

 

The candle symbolizes the risen presence of Christ.  Traditionally, it would be lit by the first person entering the building and not put out until the last person is leaving, to signify that Christ is with all persons in the church (not just during the formal service).   Baptism Candles are lit from it to symbolize that we believers get our light from Christ.  And it stands beside the coffin or funeral urn to symbolize our anticipated resurrection with Christ.

 

The Paschal Candle — another part of our history which is laden with meaning and purpose, they have been in use for at least 1600 years.

 

All glory be to God.

 

+David