In the home of every Orthodox believer, there is sure to be a church candle. They are lit on holidays, in commemoration of deceased relatives or on special occasions to emphasize the solemnity of the moment. Such a candle is always located next to the iconostasis in the red corner. But what if you purchased or received Jerusalem candles as a gift?
Instructions
Step 1
Light the candles all together, in a bundle, and place them next to the iconostasis or in the red corner of the house. Jerusalem candles can be used in the same way as regular church candles. They are made by monks in the holy land of Jerusalem and on the day of the Resurrection of the Lord they are lit from the blessed fire, after which they are extinguished. Thus, the bundle of Jerusalem candles contains a tiny particle of earth on which the Miracle of the Resurrection took place and a small fraction of the blessed fire. While the Jerusalem candles are burning, read the prayer and thank the Lord for everything he does for you.
Step 2
It seems to many that Jerusalem candles can be lit exclusively on Easter. This is not true. Of course, the bright holiday of Easter is a time when love and joy bloom in the hearts of believers around the world, so it is customary to light candles on this day, pray and fill the heart with even more reverence, but you can light Jerusalem candles on other church holidays. The solemnity of the moment should not at all affect the choice of candles, just as true faith does not necessarily require the highest monetary sacrifice or the strictest fasting and physical torture. If you feel the need to light a candle and pray even on the most ordinary day, you can always do it. And Jerusalem candles in this sense are absolutely no different from ordinary church candles.
Step 3
In the bunch of Jerusalem candles there are 33 tapers, according to the number of earthly years of Christ. Traditionally, they are lit all at once, but this is not at all an immutable rule. If there is such a need, or if you want to use the candles as long as possible, separate them and light them one at a time. A burning candle represents human faith and eternal life, so it doesn't matter how you light the Jerusalem candles. Most importantly, do it with prayer and reverence.
