The holy candle is the main attribute of church rituals and holidays. Prayers are read with candles, some spiritual sacraments are performed, and they are lit in honor of important events in the church. A candle brings light to people and has a calming and peaceful effect. Looking at the candle, it is easy to forget about the troubles and completely immerse yourself in the mystery. Candles are blessed, and this gives them powerful energy. On major church holidays, some candles acquire great power and are called holy. The holy candle, its energy and use is the topic of the next article on the pages of the magazine.
Holy candle
A candle has one purpose - to shine; here they are lit to shine, and not to “sanctify”. The candle is the essence of our prayer; we light a candle, pray and leave, and the candle burns, and the flame from it reaches to the sky, like our prayer. This is the spiritual meaning of a church candle.
Loud candles
It is believed that candles consecrated according to a special rite at Candlemas have great power. A lit candle symbolizes the cleansing power of prayer. Therefore, believers use thunder candles at special moments in their lives throughout the year. Whatever event happened in the family - joyful or sad - a loud candle was lit.
Candles consecrated according to a special rite at Candlemas have great power
People believe that such a candle protects the house from lightning strikes and fire, and livestock from the evil eye and evil spirits. The loud candle served as a talisman, an amulet and even a talisman; they were worn on the body. Therefore, for a year it was kept in the red corner, behind images or with family heirlooms. To prevent evil spirits from stealing the healing and protective power of the “Gromnitsa”, it was kept away from prying eyes and not passed on to anyone, even close relatives.
Why light candles in church and how to do it correctly
The Lord teaches the ability to sacrifice - to perform actions without requiring reciprocal actions, to give something financially without counting on replenishing one’s material condition. Paying for a purchase in a store is not a sacrifice, but a commodity-money relationship.
A sacrifice is a gift that expresses a person’s love for the recipient of the gift. Alms for the poor, alms for the restoration of churches are examples of sacrifice.
If offered sincerely, it pleases the Lord regardless of the material equivalent: a birthday gift that the child made on his own will be just as pleasing to the parents as an expensive present.
Lighting a church candle is also a kind of sacrifice, but not when the candle is burned at home in the absence of electricity or to create a romantic atmosphere, but only when placed in front of an icon or shrine.
Some believers, who do not understand the nature of the relationship between God and man, try to enter into “commodity-money relations” with him, they say, you are for me, I am for you: you give me a beautiful wife, and I will light you the thickest, largest and most expensive candle .
But it doesn’t matter to him how thick or expensive the candle is, the main thing is sincerity, faith and love for God and neighbors, expressed in material sacrifice for the sake of a spiritual goal.
Holy Candle Energy
Orthodox believers light candles in front of icons as a sign of their faith and hope for God's help, which is always sent to all who turn to Him and His Saints with faith and prayers. The candle is also a symbol of our burning and grateful love for God.
During the reading of the Gospel of the Twelve Passions on Good Friday Matins, believers hold candles, reliving the suffering of our Lord and burning with love for Him. Russian Orthodox Christians have an ancient custom of taking this lighted candle with them and placing with it the Sign of the Cross in memory of the suffering of our Lord and as protection from evil.
Lighted candles in the church are also an expression of the adoration and love of believers for God, their sacrifices to Him, and at the same time their joy and spiritual triumph of the Church. Burning candles remind of the Unwanted Light, which in the Kingdom of Heaven pleases the souls of the righteous who have pleased God.
Holy water and candle
Church candle is a consecrated object.
In addition to using candles in churches, they are often bought for home in order to preserve God's light in their own home. Lighting a sacred fire at home helps in solving worldly troubles and brings God's grace.
Candles that have special meaning to pilgrims, such as those purchased from shrines or holy places, may be used several times. It is enough to light them before starting to read the prayer and extinguish them upon completion.
Church candles are not used for protection against witchcraft or in the occult. A church candle is a consecrated object. It will help create a positive aura in the house, saturated with higher vibrations.
A huge number of people are interested in the question of how to sanctify an apartment themselves with holy water? This ritual should be performed on Sunday. At the same time, do not forget to clean all the rooms on Saturday so that there is no dirt. Stock up on holy water in advance.
On the day of the sacred ceremony, pour it into a bowl, dip three fingers (thumb, index and middle) in the “healing composition”, having previously folded them into a pinch. Then start spraying the room with them, starting from the red corner with the images, moving clockwise. At the same time, say the following prayer out loud: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, by sprinkling the sacred water, let every evil demonic action be turned to flight.” Amen!".
Text of the book “The Magic of Candles. Rites of purification and protection"
Making candles
Herbs and oils
Candles can be purchased for rituals. But it is not always possible to buy candles containing herbs, oils, and incense, which are so necessary in various rituals.
In this case, you are faced with a choice: either make a candle yourself, or make changes and additions to the finished candle.
We will talk in detail about these two options that you can take advantage of. Moreover, for a wish candle you will have to make the candle yourself, not trusting your wishes to purchased candles.
Making your own candles
In order to make your own candle, you will need wax, a wick made (woven) from linen or cotton thread, and a container into which you will pour the wax.
You can purchase wax from beekeepers, or you can melt it from ready-made wax candles.
The wax must be melted in a water bath, and while it is melting, you should focus on your desire, the desire that you are trying to achieve with the candle you are making.
Your focus, your thoughts, your motivation while making a candle - all this will go into its structure and will allow you to get the maximum result from its use.
As for the container you will pour the wax into, it can be a glass or ceramic container of any shape and size. The main thing is that it corresponds to the purpose for which you are going to use it. This could be a jar, a pot, or a deep bowl that will hold wax.
Secure the wick to the bottom of this container with a few drops of wax and, holding it with one hand, pour the melted wax inside.
Try to do this in one go as taking a break can create layers that will ruin the integrity of your candle and you will have to do it all over again.
After you have poured the wax inside, you need to cool the wax so that the candle can be used. There are two ways to cool a candle, each of which has its own effect.
Cold cooling
If you intend to use a candle in a ritual of destruction - where destructive energy is attracted (for example, to remove obstacles or get rid of illness), then a cold cooling is what you need. After you have poured the wax into the container, you need to put the candle in the freezer. So it should stand for at least 3 hours, and then it can be used.
Warm cooling
Warm cooling is used if your candle will be used for creative purposes, to obtain something, gain, develop and other positive components.
In this case, after pouring the wax into a container, you leave it in a dark place at natural room temperature to cool for at least six hours. Only after this time has passed the wax can be used.
Filling the candle. Herbs, roots, flowers
In order to fill a homemade candle with herbs or roots that have additional characteristics and can enhance the effect of the candle, it does not take much effort. All you have to do is add the herb to the wax after it has melted and before pouring it into the container, and you will get the desired result. But if you want to add extra impact to the candles you purchase, you need to know how to do it correctly to achieve the desired result. There are five ways to add additional components to a candle. This is the method of simple spiral, complex spiral, rings, stripes and coating. Let's talk about each of them in more detail.
Simple spiral
A simple spiral, drawn counterclockwise (if you are using the candle for destructive purposes) or clockwise (if you intend to create with the candle), is applied using a hot knife.
You, moving from top to bottom along the candle in the chosen direction, burn a groove into which the herb powder will then be placed. Take it slow, visualizing the impact you want to make.
Then, when the furrow is finished, you need to fill it with grass. Fill in a few centimeters at a time, and then, using a standard white or natural yellow candle, bury the grass in the furrow.
So, moving a few centimeters from top to bottom, you will fill the entire candle. After this, it is necessary to consecrate it using the ritual described in the previous chapter, and put it away until the date of use, wrapped in cotton or silk cloth.
Complex spiral
A complex spiral, represented as two spirals directed clockwise and counterclockwise and in antiphase, is used in two cases.
Firstly, if your ritual implies the presence of destruction and creation at the same time and it requires the involvement of these two energies.
Secondly, if you need to add two herbs to the composition of the candle. They cannot be mixed, and therefore you will have to resort to this method.
First, burn a groove in a clockwise direction, moving from top to bottom along the candle. Then start burning the spiral in a counterclockwise direction, but moving from the bottom up.
Filling and pouring of the filling channel is carried out in the same way as indicated for a simple spiral, observing the order of burning the grooves.
Rings
Rings burned horizontally are used if you need to add three or more herbs to the candle. In this case, horizontal rings are made, which are filled with appropriate herbs. The rings are burned from top to bottom, and they are also filled and subsequently buried.
It should be noted that the distance between the rings should not be less than 3 centimeters, and the first ring should be located no closer than one centimeter from the top.
Stripes
Filling the strip is used if you need, in addition to herbs, to add the influence of oil or oils to the composition of the candle.
In this case, you need to burn as many grooves on the candle as the number of oils you intend to use. So, two grooves will create space for two oils, three - for three, etc. But usually more than 4 oils and herbs are not used in one candle, since it is not always possible to say how this will collectively affect the ritual.
You burn grooves vertically, moving from top to bottom, if your task is a creative ritual. If you are going to carry out a destructive action, then you need to burn and, therefore, fill the grooves from the bottom up.
Once you have filled the grooves with grass and placed them in, you can begin to coat the candle with oil. This is done with your hands, in the direction of the introduced grass.
Dipping your finger in the oil, you generously lubricate the desired area of the candle with it. Then, after rinsing your hands, you apply the oil to another area.
To finish making the candle, you need to wrap it in cotton or silk fabric.
Smearing
Coating is the easiest way to apply herbs to a candle. It is made using oil, which is coated with a candle, and then grass is poured onto it.
Although the method is very simple, nevertheless, it has its own subtleties.
The oil you use to make your candle should be consistent with the focus of the ritual. If you can't find the right oil, use olive oil, which is considered all-purpose.
If you intend to carry out a ritual of creation, then coat the candle from top to bottom. If the ritual of destruction is from the bottom up.
It is not recommended to use more than one herb in a candle made using the smearing principle.
Having told you how to add herbs, flowers or roots to a candle, you need to tell us exactly what herbs are used for this and what properties they have.
Herbs, roots, flowers
Alfalfa
It is successfully used in money rituals as an element that attracts money, success, and prosperity. Makes a person more successful and enterprising. Its influence is similar to basil, but somewhat stronger.
Basil
It is a very powerful herb and, due to its potential, is used in rituals aimed at enhancing a person’s personal capabilities. For example, to attract good luck, increase profitability, attract the attention of the opposite sex. Usually used in conjunction with another herb or oil, which will determine the direction of influence.
Balm of Gilead
Used in love magic in cases where it is impossible to return the previous partner. Helps you more calmly survive a breakup and start a new relationship, increasing the attention of the opposite sex and helping you make new acquaintances.
Tonka beans
Known as wish-granting beans. They give a person success, happiness and the fulfillment of his plans. They are used as a reinforcing element in rituals aimed at achieving goals and obtaining what they want.
Verbena
It has a wide range of influences both on the energetic and physical levels. Protects a person from negativity and cleanses him of everything that prevents him from achieving his goal. It is used in rituals of purification and protection, as an auxiliary element that protects the ritual and the person in achieving the goal.
Witch's grass
Used in rituals of attracting the attention of the opposite sex, searching for a new partner. In addition to the ability to attract a partner, it has protective properties, weeding out unnecessary acquaintances and pushing away those who could bring problems into a person’s life.
Gardenia
It can make a person successful, successful and happy both by attracting these components into his life and by helping him deal more skillfully with available opportunities. Used in rituals aimed at personal growth, finding happiness and success in life. It is often one of the components of money rituals that contribute to a more harmonious process.
Carnation
Helps a person to concentrate on the important, paramount things in his life, without being distracted by the secondary and unimportant. Used in rituals aimed at achieving success, good luck, strengthening and developing one’s personal abilities. Can be used as a basic personal component in goal achievement rituals.
Oregano
It has pronounced creative characteristics and is used to enhance the effects of other herbs. It is used in love magic, in rituals of attracting attention, finding a life partner, and enhancing personal attractiveness.
Jasmine
Has a tonic and stimulating effect. It is used as a prophylactic agent that can prevent the onset of physiological and psychological problems due to excessive use of energy. It can be compared to a vitamin that is taken to help the body work better.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is used in rituals aimed at demonstrating personal capabilities and positive qualities to others. These can be rituals of attracting attention, finding a partner, attractiveness to others, sympathy from superiors. Capable of exaggerating a person’s positive qualities and downplaying negative ones – those that should be hidden from prying eyes.
Ylang-ylang
Improves mood and overall tone. It is used as a stimulant that does not have an excessive effect, allowing a person to maintain sanity and self-control. Used in rituals aimed at eliminating personal shortcomings and in the fight against various addictions.
Ginger
Ginger, by its influence, encourages a person to look deep into himself, to consider his strengths and weaknesses. Perfect for meditation, as an auxiliary element when concentrating on solving problems. It is used in rituals aimed at reconciliation, searching for compromises, making a person more flexible and loyal.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon can attract good luck by increasing the activity of the person himself. That is, nothing falls from the sky on him, but he, becoming more active and bold, takes steps that end in success. It is used in rituals aimed at attracting good luck, to win difficult cases, and to overcome stagnation in business.
Yarrow roots
Used as a cleansing agent that can remove negativity from a situation or person. They are used in rituals that are aimed at eliminating conflicts, curing diseases, and getting rid of illnesses.
Yohimbe bark
Activates a person’s internal strengths, influences sexual activity, increases the interest of the opposite sex, and helps to find a life partner. It is used in rituals of finding a life partner, to strengthen the connection between partners, as a basic element in rituals of love magic.
Dragon's blood
The action of this herb is similar to that of Rue, but more aggressive and harsh. So, if a person is not ready to get rid of what oppresses him and hinders him, having all the possibilities for this, the grass begins to force him to do this. He experiences physical and emotional discomfort if he does something wrong. Used in rituals aimed at subduing a person and fulfilling a certain instruction. Can be used in both destructive and constructive actions.
Lavender
The effect of lavender is similar to that of lilac, but it acts deeper and stronger, eliminating not only tension, but also hidden fears, revealing a person in a positive light. It is used to influence people in order to eliminate suspicion, tension, and in order to extinguish conflicts. It is used in rituals of love magic, facilitating the first acquaintance, the first step, making the beginning of a relationship easier and more relaxed.
Laurel
Crushed laurel brings success and good luck, because it is no coincidence that a laurel wreath crowns the head of the winner. Laurel is used in rituals aimed at personal attractiveness, success, luck, gaining well-deserved fame, and in rituals of money magic.
Lemongrass
Used in love magic when it is necessary to ignite new feelings or make relationships more passionate. It is used both in love spell rituals and in rituals aimed at strengthening relationships in an existing couple.
Lotus
It is used as a means of revealing a person’s creative potential. It is used in rituals aimed at gaining one’s own strength and one’s own capabilities, searching for a personal calling, and to enhance spiritual growth. Widely used in meditation for deeper immersion in the process.
European Mandrake (root)
Used as an enhancing element in rituals. By itself, it does not have pronounced characteristics - only a high level of energy and the ability to combine other components of the ritual, which makes it one of the universal energy elements.
Nutmeg
The nutmeg peel has a unique property: if there is someone in a person’s life who harms him, then the nutmeg used in the ritual begins to poison the life of this someone. Physical ailments of unknown origin, problems that arise out of nowhere are pronounced symptoms of the work of nutmeg. That is why it is used in rituals directed against enemies or those who harm a person.
Mint
Perfect for rituals aimed at increasing the profitability of a business, for rituals of good luck, increasing a person’s financial success, increasing family income. Can be used as a single component, or can be enhanced to obtain a faster effect.
Patchouli
It has a cleansing effect and the ability to eliminate negativity, primarily of the physical plane. Widely used in healing rituals, to cure diseases and cleanse a person of negativity. It can be used as one of the components in rituals aimed at getting rid of magical influences, as well as induced failures and problems, in money rituals as a component that removes obstacles in a person’s path.
Rose
One of the key components in the rituals of love magic. He has a soft and at the same time penetrating influence that can reach any person. With all this, the rose is “honest and straightforward” and can prevent the formation of relationships that are based not on feelings, but on profit or selfishness.
Rosemary
Attracts success and gives good luck in business. Used in rituals for personal and career growth, to overcome bad luck or a bad streak. With the oil of destiny, you can enter a new stage of personal development.
Ruta
It is used as a means of cleansing a person’s energy from negative energy and destructive programs, including those of a personal nature. It is used in rituals aimed at cleansing negative energy, to get rid of addictions, fears, and phobias. In return, it gives happiness, success and harmony in life.
Sandalwood
It has an active effect on the world of the soul and the world of human feelings. Used in meditations and rituals aimed at spiritual growth and personal development. Gives insight, relieves irritability and extinguishes conflicts, external and internal. It has a cleansing effect on human energy.
Lilac
Gives lightness and brings a little euphoria to the perception of reality. It is used in rituals aimed at harmonizing a person’s internal state, while relieving internal conflicts and irritation. When used in couple rituals, it eliminates quarrels or disagreements between people.
Pine needles
Pine needles are an excellent energy donor and are used where energy restoration is necessary. In particular, in rituals aimed at restoring a person’s strength after stress, injury, or after exhausting work. It is capable of delivering a large amount of energy, without causing harm or third-party influence - due to the fact that the energy of pine is soft and comfortable.
Cintronella
It has active protective properties of an aggressive nature. Capable of not only protecting, but also having a reciprocal influence on the offender. Used in rituals of general protection, getting rid of enemies, during attacks by ill-wishers or envious people.
Sage
Used as an energy donor in combination with herbs. Restores a person’s energy, heals a wound “cleansed” with the help of other herbs and oils.
Apple
Has a mild and relaxing effect. Used for rituals aimed at helping a person in difficult emotional situations, mental problems, and stress. Softens the effects of other components if gentleness and non-resistance of a person to influence is required.
Barley (ground)
Used as a pain reliever for physical and psychological injuries. It is used mainly in healing rituals as a component that relieves pain, as well as in rituals aimed at psychological help after suffering mental trauma and suffering.
Oils
Oil, which has its own characteristics and can enhance the effect of the ritual, can be added in only two ways.
The first is to add oil to the wax while making the candle. Approximately 1–3% of oil by weight of wax is added. In this case, the use of more than 2 oils is not allowed, and only on condition that they complement each other without creating a conflict.
The second way to add oil is to coat the candle. We talked about it above when we talked about how to apply grass to a candle. It is important to remember that in this case you cannot use more than one oil, and also that the effect of using the oil in this case will be much lower than if the oil was inside the candle itself.
Orange
Despite the fact that orange looks, at least, frivolous, its oil is widely used in protection rituals. It can protect a person from rash actions, protect against various influences, and help return what was unjustly taken from a person.
Bergamot
Bergamot is an oil that helps a person find what he deserves. Helps you find yourself, find your business or activity to your liking. It is often used in rituals aimed at obtaining money or benefits from the business in which a person is engaged.
Jasmine
Jasmine oil is used in cases where they want to stir things up. Oil can speed up any process, intensify human activity, and help get out of a stagnant state. Used in money rituals, to enhance career growth, increase business profitability, and increase luck.
Gardenia
Increases a person's sensitivity and emotional receptivity, relaxes and makes a person less suspicious. It is used in love magic both to attract the attention of a specific person and for love spells, increasing sympathy and attractiveness from others.
Ginger
It has a strengthening effect and the ability to reveal a person’s internal reserves. Used in rituals aimed at achieving plans, personal growth and success in business.
Lavender
Lavender oil calms and stimulates the revelation of positive qualities in a person. Under the influence of the oil used in appropriate rituals, a person is more pliable, soft and ready to compromise. Typically, lavender oil is “weighted” with oils that are aimed at forming interpersonal relationships, during quarrels between spouses, to eliminate conflicts.
Incense
Frankincense oil has protective properties. Helps cleanse a person or room of negative energy. Used in rituals of purification or protection of people, premises and things.
Lotus
Lotus oil, due to its effective influence on the spiritual world of a person, can help a person deal with the problems of the past or get rid of them. It is used in rituals aimed at getting rid of what bothers a person and keeps him in the past - grievances, fears, grief, worries and everything that appears over and over again in his memories.
Magnolia
Magnolia oil is used to enhance the ritual process. It is used in repeated actions when the result has already been achieved, but gradually the influence of the previous ritual begins to weaken. It fuels the action without making adjustments to it or changing its direction.
Myrtle
Myrtle oil is used as an oil of blessing, imparting purity and strength to whatever it is used in. It is used in rituals of cleansing people and things from negativity; it can cleanse the energy of a room from negative energy and astral dirt. Has protective characteristics.
Juniper
Juniper oil is used as a healing agent that has healing characteristics of both energetic and physical levels. It is used in rituals aimed at restoring a person after an illness, increasing his tone, and recovery. It is also used in rituals to eliminate magical effects, helping a person to quickly regain lost strength.
Muscat
Used as a distraction that prevents the person from realizing that they are being influenced. It is often used by magicians to hide traces of magical influence from prying eyes so that they cannot guess and resist the action.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is the oil of deepest desires. It is used in rituals aimed at achieving a set goal, getting what a person wants. Perfect for enhancing a wish fulfillment candle or any other ritual where a person’s desire is clearly formulated.
Patchouli
Patchouli oil, like the herb, is used as a cleanser. Eliminates negativity, cures diseases by cleansing a person. As a stand-alone product, it can be used in rituals aimed at general cleansing of the human body, to cleanse the room.
Rose
The effects of rose oil are similar to those of rose petals, but there are differences. Thus, rose oil is coarser compared to petals and its use in love rituals is only possible in the presence of lighter components, for example, the same rose petals. In this case, a very effective and highly active connection is obtained, which few can resist. Without additional components, it should be used only in relation to already established relationships in order to strengthen and protect them from external influence.
Lilac
Lilac oil eliminates the effects of psychological tension, fears and emotional distress. It is used as a base oil if a person does not perceive the influence well due to being in severe mental turmoil, stress or illness, allowing other components to penetrate the person’s energy and begin their influence.
Pine
Pine oil is used as a strengthening and healing agent. Increases the overall tone of a person, helps to quickly restore strength, heal and recover. It is used in healing rituals, less often in cases where a large amount of creative energy is needed to fuel other components of the ritual.
Yarrow
Oil of mental concentration, which allows you to gather strength and do what is required of a person.
It is used in rituals of managing people, when it is necessary for a person to do something specific that is required of him. In addition, it can be used as a personal stimulant of attention and concentration in a ritual for better concentration on the process.
Violet
Violet oil increases intellectual tone, makes a person more attentive and focused, and allows you to more widely use your mental abilities. It is used in rituals aimed at increasing intelligence, for success in scientific activities, studies, and for successfully passing exams.
Amber
Amber is used as a wish fulfillment oil, helping to make a person's dreams come true more quickly. It is used in rituals aimed at fulfilling desires, finding happiness and harmony, and achieving a set goal. In addition to speeding up the process, it also has protective characteristics that prevent anyone from taking advantage of a person’s work (except himself).
At the end of part 1
So the story about the theoretical part of fire magic has come to an end. Of course, this is not all the information about this ancient direction, but it is quite sufficient for you to begin practical exercises and apply everything that you learned in part 1.
But even when you start studying the practical part and applying the acquired knowledge in practice, you cannot do without the theory of the 1st part. Only understanding it can make your rituals more effective, and the wishes that you make while performing fire magic rituals come true.
Blessed candles and holy water
The practice of blessing candles on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord was introduced among us by Saint Peter Mogila in the 17th century. The custom of blessing water on the Presentation has ancient roots; it came to us from Byzantium.
From the point of view of liturgical science, the establishment of the rite of consecration of water on this day both emphasizes the greatness of this twelfth holiday and is associated with the rite of consecration of candles - since candles are consecrated with holy water, and in its absence, the Trebnik prescribes to consecrate it right before the sacred rite .
Sretenskaya holy water is the same as that consecrated on other holidays, since on all occasions (except for the Feast of the Epiphany) the “Rite of Minor Blessing of Water” is served. It must be remembered that in all cases the attitude towards holy water should be the same, and its power should be the same - after all, the water is sanctified by the same Grace of the Holy Spirit.
For a Christian believer, all holy water, regardless of what day of the year it was consecrated, has the grace-filled power to heal mental and physical ailments, as well as to drive away evil spirits.
If you study the Bible carefully, the Lord helps and admonishes
– How to celebrate Candlemas correctly?
– Every person should be like the righteous Simeon and try to know the Holy Scriptures. If you carefully study the Bible, then the Lord helps and admonishes, sending such a person either wise men or good thoughts, through which what is not clear in this storehouse of Divine wisdom will be clarified. People who comprehend the Scripture and try to live according to it meet Christ, and their faith turns into knowledge. This is exactly what the holy Apostle Paul said when he met Christ on the way from Jerusalem to Damascus: “I know in whom I have believed.” An encounter with Jesus happens to every person, and it is better to meet Him when we still have the strength so that we can correct something in ourselves. The approaching feast of the Presentation reminds us that we must prepare ourselves for a meeting with Christ through the study of the Holy Scriptures, through prayer and pious life.
Interviewed by Natalya Goroshkova
Clean the apartment with a candle and holy water
Take a church candle and holy water in the church
Various church leaders recommend sprinkling all the corners in the house with holy water, moistening your face and hands, lighting the candle and walking around the apartment clockwise several times, then treating the walls in a similar way, using wave-like movements and walking three times crosswise at the front door (using a candle).
Take a church candle and holy water from the church. If it was not possible to take water, you can make it yourself by lowering the consecrated cross into the water for an hour. then walk around the apartment clockwise from the candles. The assistant should follow you, sprinkling all objects, walls, corners and floor.
Under no circumstances should wax come into contact with your hands. Therefore, the candle must be held by the protected end and only then lit. If you did everything correctly, the candle will burn evenly without leaving soot.
Sequence of cleaning the apartment:
- take holy water, wash your face, apply it to your hands, and then sprinkle all the corners of the house;
- start cleaning from the outside of the front door;
- light a candle and circle the door 3 times clockwise.
We recommend reading: Cleansing an apartment and house with a candle
Bless the apartment with a candle and holy water
The consecration of an apartment (house) is a requirement performed by a priest according to the special rite of blessing the home. He says special prayers calling for God's blessing on everyone living in this house. Then the priest prayerfully sprinkles the house with holy water and makes crosses on the walls of the house with blessed oil. The apartment is blessed once (except for special cases).
So you won’t be able to consecrate an apartment on your own without a priest, but you can simply sprinkle holy water on your home. There is even a tradition of doing this, bringing holy water home from the temple on the feast of Epiphany.
At the same time, you can read the following prayer: may God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may those who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke disappears, let them disappear; just as wax melts in the presence of fire, so let demons perish from the presence of those who love God and signify themselves with the sign of the cross, and who say in joy: Rejoice, most honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord, drive away the demons by force on you of our Lord Jesus Christ, who descended into hell and trampled upon the power the devil, and who gave us His honorable Cross to drive away every adversary. O most honorable and life-giving Cross of the Lord! Help me with the Holy Virgin Mary and with all the saints forever. Amen.
Sources:
- https://swsu.ru/sbornik-statey/candles-and-their-symbolism.php
- https://bt-tickets.ru/kak-ochischat-dom-tserkovnoy-svechoy/
- https://foma.ru/chto-mozhno-delat-so-svyatoy-vodoy.html
- https://tomin.by/news/ob/10075-pravoslavnye-veruyushchie-segodnya-prazdnuyut-sretenie-gospodne
- https://rostovkino.ru/chistka-doma-svechoi-i-svyatoi-vodoi-cerkovnaya-svecha-obryady-kak.html
- https://foma.in.ua/articles/questions/pochemu-na-sretenie-osvyashchayut-svechi-i-vodu
