Types of decorative candles
Decorative candles are made from paraffin or wax. The first option makes the product cheaper, and the wax allows the candle to burn longer. Of course, this quality is nicer, so you should choose this option in the store. Various fillers are used in the manufacture of candles, these include:
- coffee;
- colored sand;
- dried flowers.
In addition, there are various types of candles with different shapes and purposes. Dinner candles usually have a tapered shape. They are installed in a candlestick and used in several quantities at once. Thick candles. They have a thickened straight shape. Typically, such candles are decorated with various fillings or painted. Aroma candles. A very romantic look for candles. Used to create an appropriate environment in the home.
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When lit, they fill the room with a pleasant aroma. Gel candles. They are made from a special gel, which is filled into some container. Usually decorative elements in the form of pebbles, sparkles, and small shells are placed on the bottom. Flameless candles. This option is very convenient and safe to use. They create the illusion of a living fire and decorate the room.
Important! When using candles with live fire, we must not forget about safety. It is better to install them in transparent vessels, then they will be safer.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos for the sake of Her icon “Inexhaustible Chalice”
If you came with a specific purpose, then you should think carefully about which saint you should contact. For example, if a person wants to help someone cope with alcohol addiction, one needs to place candles in front of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon. In case of illness, they turn to the “Healer”.
Icon "Inexhaustible Chalice"
Orthodox believers, unfortunately, have not only well-wishers, but also envious people. For their health, you also need to light candles - in front of the images of Jesus Christ, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker or the Mother of God. In the process of reading the prayer, you can ask for help and spiritual strength so that the person has the wisdom to forgive them himself.
The saint will give the potential enemy reason and guide him on the right path. For loved ones who are seriously ill, they light candles at the icons of the Lord Jesus Christ, St. Matrona of Moscow, St. Luke of Crimea or in front of an icon with the name of the saint for whom they are praying.
To protect their children from some kind of misfortune, prayers are read to the Guardian Angel. If you want to return your husband to the family, the icons of St. Gurias, St. Xenia of St. Petersburg and Matrona of Moscow will help you. The husband should be sincerely forgiven and prayed for.
Sometimes the question remains controversial: is it possible for pregnant women to go to church and light candles? But the answer here is obvious - not only is it not forbidden to do this, but it is also encouraged.
There are even special icons in front of which women in the position pray: “Helper in Childbirth”, “Feodorovskaya” and “Mammal”.
They are asked not only for a successful outcome of labor, but also for a sufficient amount of breast milk for the baby. If you have a session or important entrance exams soon, you should light a candle to St. Sergius of Radonezh.
During his life, he suffered from the fact that he was unable to study. The Lord revealed the secret of knowledge to the Saint. There is also an interesting icon called “Increasing Mind” that students often refer to.
If the miraculous images are very far from the person; in such a situation, you can turn to the lists of saints who have no less miraculous power and are in many churches. You can also always ask the clergy for advice.
“Oh, most merciful Lady! We now resort to Your intercession, do not despise our prayers, but graciously hear us: wives, children, mothers; and the serious illness of drunkenness of those possessed, and for this sake from your mother - the Church of Christ and the salvation of those who fall away, brothers and sisters, and heal our relatives.
Oh, merciful Mother of God, touch their hearts and quickly raise them from the falls of sin, bring them to saving abstinence. Pray to Your Son, Christ our God, to forgive us our sins and not to turn His mercy away from His people, but to strengthen us in sobriety and chastity.
Accept, O Most Holy Theotokos, the prayers of mothers who shed tears for their children, of wives who weep for their husbands, of children, orphans and wretches, abandoned by those who have gone astray, and of all of us who fall before Your icon. And may this cry of ours, through Your prayers, come to the throne of the Most High.
Cover and protect us from the evil trap and all the snares of the enemy, in the terrible hour of our exodus, help us to pass through the airy ordeals without stumbling, with Your prayers deliver us from eternal condemnation, so that the mercy of God will cover us for the endless ages of ages. Amen."
For the dead, candles are placed on the eve of the crucifix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o61uSqWpNNY
By the way, you cannot light a candle for the remission of sins. Sins are forgiven only at Confession after a sincere, detailed confession of all of them in the presence of a priest and the reading of a prayer of absolution to him. A candle is a symbol; in itself it does not free one from sins and does not connect one with God.
If the required icon is not in the church, then you can put a candle in front of any image of the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos, or in front of the icon of All Saints and say a prayer. You can pray in your own words, as long as they are sincere.
You can pray for the unbaptized with your personal prayer and light candles for them, you just cannot write their names in church notes, since the Church does not pray for the unbaptized.
It is advisable for those who come to the temple to light candles before the service begins. If you are late, wait until you can light a candle. so as not to disturb other believers and not to violate decorum. If you pass the candle to those in front, then indicate which icon to put it on.
It is better to purchase candles only in the temple where you came to pray - this is a small sacrifice to this particular temple. It is believed that a Candle purchased in a temple is an object of veneration for a believer; it is intended to serve as a sacrifice to God, but a Candle purchased by you outside the walls of a temple, even in a pious place, and then brought to the temple is not a sacrifice (I don’t know why ?).
IS IT POSSIBLE TO HOLD A BURNING CANDLE IN YOUR HAND AND STAND WITH IT?
It is customary to stand with lit candles at a memorial service during the service of Great Heel Matins. Candles are also lit on polyeleos, but this tradition is mainly preserved only for clergy. A burning candle must be handled carefully: make sure that the wax does not drip onto the floor, and that the clothes of the person standing in front do not accidentally ignite.
TO WHOM SHOULD I LIT A CANDLE FOR REMOVAL OF SINS?
Sins are forgiven only at Confession after a sincere, detailed confession of all of them in the presence of a priest and the reading of a prayer of absolution to him. A candle is a symbol; in itself it does not free one from sins and does not connect one with God.
WHICH SAINT IS BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE IN THE EVENT OF FAMILY DISORDER, WHEN THE HUSBAND WANTS TO LEAVE THE FAMILY?
For family well-being they pray to the Mother of God, Saints Guria, Samon and Aviv, and Saint Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg. It is also useful to remember and realize your guilt towards your husband, ask for forgiveness, and try to reconcile.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR AN UNBAPTIZED NEWBORN CHILD WHO IS SICK?
You can pray for the unbaptized with your personal prayer and light candles for them, you just cannot write their names in church notes, since the Church does not pray for the unbaptized. A sick child should be baptized as soon as possible. If the child is seriously ill, you can call the priest home or to the maternity hospital. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the child will receive a special grace that will help him.
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WHO SHOULD LIGHT A CANDLE ABOUT A PERSON WHO IS ADDITED TO DRUGS?
You can pray for deliverance from this passion and light a candle in front of the icons of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, the martyr Boniface, the righteous John of Kronstadt.
WHO SHOULD I LIT A CANDLE IF A CHILD IS SERIOUSLY ILL?
A candle can be placed next to any icon: the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the holy saints of God. In addition, you need to know that a child’s illness is a time of prayer and repentance for the whole family. It seems to stimulate spiritual life. The baby should be given holy water, washed with this water. And the most important thing is to give the sick child the Holy Mysteries.
Communion can take place at home, in a hospital, or in a church, depending on the condition of the baby. If a child already knows how to pray, let him do it himself, but if he doesn’t know how, then his parents and godparents should do it for him. And, of course, spiritual work must be combined with treatment that a professional doctor can recommend.
WHICH ICON IS BETTER TO LIT A CANDLE BEFORE THE UPCOMING OPERATION?
You can light candles and pray to the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, the holy unmercenary doctors Cosmas and Damian. You also need to prepare for Confession and Communion, order a prayer service for the successful outcome of the operation, find out the name of the doctor and pray that the Lord will control his hands.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH?
Of course, you can light candles and pray for your health. A candle is a symbol of prayer to God. And most prayers are written in the first person.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN TO LIT CANDLES FOR THE RIP OF THE REST?
Everyone can and should light candles and pray for the departed.
WHOM SHOULD I LIGHT A CANDLE ABOUT WELFARE IN BUSINESS?
Anyone who wants to receive anything from the Lord or from the saints must not only pray to them, but also build his life according to the commandments. Through the Gospel, God appeals to everyone with a request to be kind, loving, humble, etc., but people often do not want to listen to this, but themselves ask Him to help them in business.
For prayers to be successful, you must pray with words coming from the heart, with faith and hope for God’s help. And it should be remembered that not everything that a person asks from the Lord is useful for him. The Lord is not a machine that fulfills all desires, you just have to press the right button, that everything He sends is aimed at the benefit and salvation of the soul, although sometimes people think this is unfair.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES FOR A TRAGICALLY DIED UNBAPTIZED ONE AND IN GENERAL ABOUT THE REST OF UNBAPTIZED PEOPLE?
You can light candles and pray for the unbaptized, but you cannot give notes in church with the names of the unbaptized.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES FOR HEALTH AND REST ON EASTER?
You can always light candles for health and repose, but the Church does not perform prayers for the departed on Easter and Bright Week; they are transferred to Radonitsa - the second Tuesday after Easter.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIT CANDLES PURCHASED IN ANOTHER TEMPLE?
Candles are usually purchased in the temple where they come to pray - this is a small sacrifice to this particular temple.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE CANDLE AFTER THE Blessing of Easter cakes and eggs? CAN I TAKE IT HOME?
You can take it home and light it during home prayer, or you can put it in a church in front of any icon.
WHY DO THEY REMOVE CANDLES THAT ARE ONLY HALF BURNED, BECAUSE WE PAY MONEY FOR THEM?
Due to the large number of people who want to light candles, they are sometimes removed not completely burned out. There is no need to be embarrassed by this, or by the fact that the candle that was not completely burned out was extinguished after the end of the service - the sacrifice has already been accepted by God.
WHEN IS INCENSE USED? CAN I USE IT AT HOME?
Incense is used in the Church during divine services, as well as during funeral services for the dead, and during the consecration of dwellings by the priest. You can also use incense during home prayer.
We must remember: in order for prayers to achieve success, one must pray to the Holy Saints of God with faith in the power of their intercession before God with words coming from the heart.
How to choose candles
When choosing candles, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- they should not be a separate element in the room, but complement it, match the furniture and color of the interior;
- white candles will suit any interior; they are a symbol of purity and can bring peace and tranquility to the interior;
- To add sophistication to the room, it is better to choose candles of an unusual shape.
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The stores provide a large selection of candles. If you don’t find a suitable option, you can make it yourself. To do this you will need a regular white candle, various decor and a wine glass. It will need to be turned over. A candle is placed on the stem, and the inside of the wine glass is filled with decor. It can be matched to the tone of the room.
How to apply in the interior
The choice of candlesticks is of great importance in the design of candles. They should be selected according to the style of the room. For a classic style, a forged, massive candlestick is more suitable. For modern styles, the best option would be light, original candlesticks. You can also make them yourself. Take ordinary glass glasses and decorate them using various techniques. You can use dot painting, stained glass paints, or simply glue glass pebbles to the walls of the glass.
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Candle decor can be used on different objects in the room. You can place candles on the shelves and decorate with flowers. Place in containers and hang indoors. You can also decorate the stairs with them or let them float in a container of water. In any case, they will make your home interior softer and more romantic, which is something many people miss.
special instructions
The parishioner must observe the rules of decency, behave sedately and calmly.
- If you are standing with a burning candle, make sure that the wax does not drip down.
- Be careful not to set the person in front on fire.
- Before coming to church, try to learn the rules of behavior in a holy place.
- It is allowed to light candles and pray for an unbaptized person, but writing his name in the church book is prohibited.
- In case of a drug problem, it is advised to place candles in front of the icon of the Mother of God, which is called the “Inexhaustible Chalice,” in front of the images of Boniface the Martyr or John of Kronstadt.
- Wax in front of the image of St. Panteleimon helps reduce the negative consequences of the upcoming operation.
- Anyone who wants to gain prosperity from the Almighty and the saints must sincerely pray and live according to the commandments. Through the Holy Gospel, God draws everyone's attention to virtue, love and humility. However, people only ask, but cannot take an independent step towards improvement.
- It is allowed to light wax candles for health or repose on any day, but prayers for the dead are not performed on Easter. The process is transferred to Radonitsa.
- Try to make a donation for the temple. The desire for help must come from the depths of the heart. Donate your finances to the poor, who can be seen in large numbers near the monasteries.
- Goodwill brings more benefit than a large sum of money donated insincerely. The Lord pays attention to a person’s spirituality, and not to his pocket. He does not condemn poverty, but instructs people to get rid of greed.
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About church candles:
The ritual of lighting candles for health or repose is the most important means of comprehending love for the Lord. The candle symbolizes many virtuous qualities and light on the path to His abode. The duties of a believer who comes to the procession include bows, gestures of the cross and sincere prayers. By lighting candles, a person asks for prosperity, health and business success, and also honors the deceased.