How to light candles for the repose in church: rules and prohibitions for a note

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This custom came to us from ancient times. Candles and lamps were common back then and symbolized the state of the soul, its burning and desire for God. Subsequently, Christians began to light candles in the temple and turn to God with specific requests.

Surely many have wondered how to properly light candles in a church? There is nothing complicated here. Having chosen the icon in front of which you decided to pray, stop for a moment, try to calm down and concentrate. Light the wick from the other candles on the candlestick. Pray in your own words about your problem or person, ask the Lord for help. Then clearly and slowly make the sign of the cross on yourself and place the lit candle on the candlestick.

Story

We are accustomed to the fact that when a person dies, they light a candle for the repose, but what this means is unknown to many.

Even in ancient times, people feared the wrath of higher powers and wanted to appease them. How can you treat a creature that does not have a body? The decision came to turn the gifts into smoke. Therefore, food, animals, and, among some nationalities, even people were burned on sacrificial altars.

Christians believed that the sacrifice should be conditional. Fire has always symbolized infinity, so by lighting it, you ask God, eternal life for the soul of the deceased.

What canons exist? And what do they regulate?

There are a lot of church canons. They can be divided into several large groups. There are, for example, canons regulating the administrative order of governing the Church. There are “disciplinary” canons that regulate the life of believers and the ministry of clergy.

There are canons of a dogmatic nature that condemn certain heresies. There are canons that regulate the territorial administration of the Church. These canons establish the powers of the highest bishops - metropolitans, patriarchs, they determine the regularity of holding Councils, and so on.

All the canons in all their diversity were formulated in the first millennium of church history, and some of them are somewhat outdated. But the Church still honors these ancient canons and studies them very carefully, because the unique era of the Ecumenical Councils is a kind of standard, a model for all subsequent centuries.

Nowadays, from these ancient norms we extract, if not direct rules of behavior, then at least their spirit, principles, in order to establish in a new form such norms that will meet the needs of today.

How to light candles for the repose: where and how to place them

A special place is reserved for commemorating the dead in any temple. Usually it is located at the very beginning of the hall, to the left of the doors. Most often this is a marble or iron table, called kanun. You can recognize it by its rectangular candlestick and the icon of the Crucifixion.

For the convenience of new parishioners, the text of the prayer that needs to be said is usually posted on the wall. Because not everyone can know it by heart. How many candles will be lit for remembrance does not matter, the main thing is that the spoken words come from the heart.

Advice. It is better to come to church before the start of the service in order to have time to complete all the necessary procedures and not distract other worshipers.

Why do they light candles?

During the persecution of Christians, they were forced to gather for prayer in secret rooms or catacombs underground. Meetings usually took place at night. The entire procession was illuminated with lamps and candles. The candle flame is a symbol of connection with the Lord, as Jesus called himself the Light. The fire directed upward helps to convey your prayers to God. Also, buying a candle helps the temple receive money for charitable purposes.

How to do it right

I have already told you which icon is placed for repose, now I will describe in detail how this ritual is performed and what candles need to be purchased:

1. Buy candles in advance from the shop, which is usually located in front of the entrance to the temple.
2. Go to the icon of the Crucifixion of the Lord and make the sign of the cross twice.
3. Light the candle from the lamp.
4. Attach it to a free candlestick, make sure it is stable.
5. When everything is busy, you should put a candle nearby on the table; the parishioners will light it later.
6. For those who do not know what to say, before the eve there is a text of a prayer that must be read quietly in a whisper or to oneself.
7. Then make the sign of the cross, bow and step aside.

Important. It is allowed to light a candle first for health, and then for repose, or vice versa.

How and to whom to put it correctly

Many people who come to church for the first time find it difficult how and where to put candles for various needs. You can ask about this one of the ministers on duty in the temple, or more experienced parishioners.

For your peace

The only place in the temple where you can light a candle for repose is the quadrangular table to the left of the entrance, the so-called eve. On top of this table is a marble or metal board. There are cells for candles on it. On the eve there is an image of the Crucifixion of Christ, God with the upcoming Mother of God and the Apostle John the Theologian.

Before the eve, memorial services are usually served and a funeral service is performed. Next to it in many churches is the text of a short prayer for the departed.

For your health

A candle for health can be placed anywhere in the temple, except on the eve. It is placed next to any icon, according to the needs and desires of the worshiper.

Candles are especially often lit for the health of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It makes sense to pay attention to the name of the icon. It is advisable to first find out, at least briefly, its history and cases of assistance.

1. Candles are often placed at the icon “Supporter of Sinners” to symbolize bringing a person to faith, turning from a sinful life.
2. The icon “Quench My Sorrows” is known for helping in everyday sorrows.
3. Many lists of the image of the “Inexhaustible Chalice” are glorified for helping to overcome the disease of drunkenness.
4. The icon “The Tsaritsa” (“Pantanassa”) has repeatedly demonstrated its miraculous power over cancer patients.

Guardian Angel

Everyone has their own Guardian Angel. Of course, in the temple there are no icons of the Guardian Angel of a specific person. If there is a need to turn to your protector and assistant, it is customary to light a candle at the icon of the Chief of the Angelic Forces, Archangel Michael. He is easily recognized by the flaming sword in his hand.

The sequence of actions in this case could be as follows:

• briefly pray to St. Archangel;
• turn to your Guardian.

To the saint for work and success in business

A candle for help in work or business is lit to any saint in whom the believer has the greatest love and trust. It is worth correlating the character and lifetime interests of the saint with your request, because a saint is also a person, even if he already lives in the Kingdom of Heaven.

There is a known case when an unsuccessful businessman who loved St. John the Baptist, constantly prayed to the saint, lit candles. But there was no help.

One day St. John appeared to the praying man in a dream and complained that his request was in the wrong place, because the saint lived his holy life in the desert, without even the remotest idea of ​​commerce. However, he added that he earnestly prays for the person who loves him and asks him for something better than wealth. A year later, the circumstances of the entrepreneur’s life were such that he became a monk.

And for work, help in business, you should ask:

• St. Nicholas of Myra;
• St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky.

During their lifetime, both saints were very responsive to the needs of people.

For love

Many who are looking for their “soul mate” come to the saints for help. The most responsive to such requests are the holy spouses, who deeply understand the needs of young people. This:

• St. martyrs Adrian and Natalia;
• beloved by the believers of Russia, the noble prince and princess Peter and Fevronia of Murom.

Thousands of cases of help in love are known from prayers to the icons of blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg, Matrona of Moscow. Having no family during their lifetime, these saints are very responsive to the needs of those praying for family well-being.

For studying

It is customary for saints, who also closely understand these problems, to ask for help with their studies. This:

• St. Sergius of Radonezh, who for a long time could not master reading and writing, and then miraculously gained the ability to read;
• right John of Kronstadt, with whom a similar incident occurred.

Help for a drug addict

You can light a candle to help someone suffering from drug addiction:

• icon of the Mother of God “Vse Tsaritsa”;
• icon of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice”.

If a child gets sick

You can light a candle for sick children:

• Icon of the Mother of God “Healer” and/or any other icon;
• Great Martyr Healer Panteleimon;
• St. doctors Cosma and Damian.

Before surgery

Among the host of Orthodox saints there is a holy surgeon, Archbishop Luke of Crimea, who died quite recently, in the second half. XX century During his lifetime, he was not only a monk and a great ascetic, but also a professor, a classic of surgery. His books are still on every surgeon’s desk.

Many testify that St. Luka cannot see other people's suffering without pain. He strives to help as soon as possible. Sometimes it’s enough just to approach his icon.

Cars for sale

In matters related to transport, people most often turn to St. Nicholas of Myra, who is considered a helper on the way, a guardian from troubles. There is no need to be embarrassed by the mundane nature of the request: unimportant requests for St. Nikolai is simply not there.

Selling or buying an apartment

Many people say that St. almost always helps with any housing issues. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky. During his earthly life, he constantly helped his flock - to pay off debt, get rid of hunger, find a job, a home. Now there is a lot of evidence of the help of St. Spiridon specifically in solving housing issues.

Conceiving a child

They pray for the safe birth of children and for healing from infertility:

• to the parents of the Most Holy Theotokos Joachim and Anna, who, like no one else, know what the miracle of the birth of a child is when there is no longer hope: the Virgin Mary is a child of her parents’ old age;
• righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Baptist, who also conceived a son in his old age;
• To conceive a child, you can and should pray to the Most Holy Theotokos Herself in front of any of Her icons.

Is it possible for pregnant women to light candles for the repose?

In ancient Rus', a woman undergoing pregnancy was not allowed to go to the cathedral, for fear of the evil eye or damage. Now the opinion on this question has changed; it is believed that the expectant mother carries within herself the fruit of the love of two people and our Lord.

Therefore, she is not forbidden, but on the contrary, she is supposed to go to church and pray for the repose of the souls of deceased relatives.

However, there is a small nuance: after giving birth, the woman must refuse to visit the temple for 40 days until the bleeding stops completely.

Fact. You can often hear the opinion that you should not visit a temple during your menstrual cycle. Now the church looks at it differently; “critical days” cannot prevent a woman from praying and performing any ritual. Only human sins are considered unclean.

Eve (church)

See what “Eve (church)” is in other dictionaries:

• EVE - husband. the day or evening before the day in question; day, in relation to the morning meal; the day that preceded it, the evening. | Prayer, prayer service, celebration of some saint, on the eve of his memory day, esp. during the beginning and end of field work; in general... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary
• Church of San Francesco in Assisi - Italian. La Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi ... Wikipedia
• Church of St. Francis in Assisi - Church of San Francesco in Assisi ital. La Basilica di San Francesco d Assisi View from the eastern facade ... Wikipedia
• EVE - the eve of the eve. Novg., Psk. The day is two days before the holiday. NOS 4, 18; POS 13, 464. Eve take you (him, etc.)! Novg. An exclamation expressing irritation or indignation. SRNG 13, 45. The eve came and sank into the water. Tver. Iron. About a person... ... Large dictionary of Russian sayings
• Pentecostal Church - Protestantism Reformation Doctrines of Protestantism Pre-Reformation movements Waldensians · Lollards · Hussites Reformed churches Anglicanism · Anabaptism · Calvinism ... Wikipedia
• Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Voronezh) - Orthodox Church Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church of the Assumption of the Monastyrschenka Settlement Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Monastyrschenka Settlement) ... Wikipedia
• Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Klenniki - Orthodox Church Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Klenniki ... Wikipedia
• Church of St. Feodosia - Apse with a tier of rough masonry, built on during the Ottoman period. Gül Camii mosque in Istanbul's Fatih district, near the ancient Ayakapi gate. It has long attracted the attention of travelers with its favorable location and rich history. C... ... Wikipedia
• Church of Alexander Nevsky in Kozhukhov - Orthodox Church ... Wikipedia
• Eve - ♦ (ENG vigil) (lat. vigilia night of wakefulness) the night before the holiday, during which the church stays awake, performing prayer and self-examination, preparing for the dawn of the coming day ... Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms

Funeral table (“canon” or “eve”) in the temple

The appearance of a canon table in the temple indicates a certain impoverishment of piety and a cooling of Christians towards observing ancient paternal traditions. Kutia began to be brought less and less to memorial services, which could not be performed in front of an “empty” table, due to the absence of sacred images on it.

Cemetery with cemetery church

In particular, incense and other sacred rites and prayers could not be performed in front of him. Therefore, there was a need to decorate this table with a sacred image. And since the services that were to be performed here were funeral services, the images had to correspond to the nature of the required sacred rites. Therefore, the symbolic gravestone became part of the canon table.

The funeral “eve” is kutia and honey. From this word the name of the funeral table was formed: “eve”. In modern usage, “eve” sounds like “eve” or “canon”.

a hill and a holy cross established on it with the image of the Crucified Jesus Christ.

Since candles must be lit in front of the shrine during the service, shandals became an integral part of the funeral table. During funeral services, a canon table is placed in the middle of the church and those present at the service light candles on it in memory of the deceased. In addition, candles on the canon are also lit during non-liturgical times for private commemoration of the dead.

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Is it possible to light candles for the repose of an unbaptized person?

If a newborn dies immediately after birth and his relatives naturally did not have time to baptize him, then the mother turns to Saint War. It was believed that he had the power to put in a good word for the deceased before God.

It is forbidden to pray for unbaptized adults, because such a person does not exist for Christ, so all efforts will be useless. His name cannot be pronounced during the liturgy and noted in the note about the prayer service. However, you can light a candle for his soul.

There are cases when a person, out of malice, wants to harm an enemy, he begins to turn to sorcerers, cast spells on death and light a candle for the repose of the living.

It is believed that the one to whom this ritual was directed will begin to get sick and may even die. However, God sees everything and such an act will only harm the one who harbors a grudge.

In this case, a psychological problem is possible; if a person finds out that a candle has been placed on him for death, he will begin to get nervous, worry, and with such actions he will drive himself into the grave.

Therefore, we need to get rid of prejudices. A candle for the repose of an enemy may turn out to be a boomerang and return to the one who placed it.

Did Christ say anything in the Gospel about the need to follow some rules?

Of course he did. The Lord sets some standards for Christian life directly in the Gospel. For example, there are canons that regulate the sacrament of Baptism. And in the Gospel, Christ is the first to establish this norm: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Here we find the baptismal formula - “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” - which is pronounced today by the priest during the celebration of the sacrament. In addition, it is said that one must first teach, and only then baptize. And this is where, for example, the practice of so-called catechetical conversations before baptism originates, when a priest or catechist must explain in detail the basics of Christian faith and piety to a person who wants to enter the Church.

In addition, the Lord Jesus Christ established monogamy as the norm (Matthew 19:4–9). It was on the basis of His words that the Church developed its teaching on the sacrament of Marriage. However, she somewhat softened the “severity” of the Gospel, where, as we know, it is said: whoever divorces his wife not for adultery and marries another commits adultery; and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery (Matthew 19:9). The Church, being forgiving of human weakness and understanding that not everyone can bear the burden of loneliness, allows, under certain circumstances, entering into a second and even third marriage.

However, there are other canons that are not taken directly from the New Testament. The Church, led by the Holy Spirit, acts as a successor of the Lawgiver Christ, expanding, clarifying and renewing its legal norms. At the same time, I repeat, this very detail and, in general, all the legislative activity of the Church is based on the principles given by the Savior in the Gospel.

Do they light candles for suicides?

Since ancient times, those who voluntarily took their own lives, that is, interrupted the period appointed by the Almighty, were not allowed to be buried in the graveyard, only behind its fence. Nowadays, this rule is often violated. However, such people cannot pray and light a candle for the repose of their souls.

It is believed that only God knows when our hour of death will come and we have no right to change it. Moreover, life is a great gift from God, and the suicide refused it of his own free will, that is, he committed a sin. But he can no longer repent of it.

There are exceptions, if, for example, a person suffered from a mental disorder and did not realize what he was doing, then a funeral service may be performed for him. To do this, you need to collect all certificates from medical institutions and go to an appointment with the bishop. But even he does not have the right to resolve this issue alone.

Unfortunately, in our time of endless race for a good life and position in society, the problem of suicide is very acute. Therefore, in 2011, Patriarch Kirill announced that prayer to Saint War is allowed; it is read at home alone. But many priests suggest that this could drive the reader crazy.

Of course, you can lie and not report the true cause of death of a loved one in order to bury him in a graveyard. However, God cannot be deceived.

What are church canons and why are they needed?

The word “canon” is of Greek origin, and it is translated as “rule”, “norm”. Canons are generally binding rules of behavior adopted in the Church. Therefore, we can say that the canon in the Church, in its content and meaning, is the same as the law in the state.

The need for church canons is generally clear. Finding ourselves in any society, we must comply with certain rules of conduct accepted in it. So it is in the Church. Having become its member, a person must obey the norms in force within its boundaries - the canons.

You can use this analogy. When we improve our health in a hospital, we are faced with certain rules that, whether we like it or not, we must obey. And these hospital rules may at first seem unnecessary or even absurd until we try to understand them.

At the same time, there cannot be canonical formalism in the Church. Each person is individual, and therefore a confessor plays a significant role in his church life. Knowing the weaknesses and strengths of the person coming to him, the priest, relying on the canonical norm, can act quite freely. After all, we must not forget that the main body of canons was formed a very long time ago, back in the first millennium, and many canons cannot be literally applied in the present time. Therefore, the priest has a lot of room for “maneuver” (the canons themselves suggest this, leaving the priest, for example, the right to shorten or, on the contrary, extend penances), and this is very important when it comes to such a complex and extremely delicate matter as shepherding.

Popular prejudices

Over the years of the existence of Christianity, a large number of interpretations have arisen about whether a candle fell or began to smoke. Maybe the higher powers want to warn you about something in this way.

It is considered that if:

• the candle goes out - a bad sign, your prayer is not heard, perhaps you have sinned and need to confess. And if this is a candle for the repose, then the deceased is offended by you;
• the candle has fallen - the soul of the deceased is toiling and cannot find a place for itself, pick it up quickly and ask Jesus for forgiveness;
• the candle crackles - portends trouble;
• the flame burns in the shape of a spiral - they are plotting against you;
• a weak candle light - portends illness;
• rearrange the candles someone has placed - take away their happiness;
• putting out a candle with your fingers means attracting trouble;
• put a candle with your left hand - God will punish you.

In all cases, it is suggested to confess and receive communion. However, the church considers these signs to be prejudices that stem from ignorance. It's up to you to believe it or not.

With this I say goodbye, dear readers. I hope the article was useful and you learned how to light candles for the repose correctly. Don't forget to subscribe to blog updates and recommend the article to your friends on social networks.

But is it really impossible to be saved without this formalism?

No, the point here is not in formalism itself, but in ourselves. Since even after baptism we remain imperfect, lazy, self-centered creatures, we need to be brought to some kind of pious life that corresponds to our faith.

Of course, our communication with God is not subject to normative regulation, for example, how a person prays at home: whether long or short, with or without a lamp, looking at an icon or closing his eyes, lying or standing - this is his personal matter and depends solely on how he can pray better. But if a Christian comes to a meeting of believers, to the Church, where there are already many like him and everyone has their own views, interests, some preferences, there are no specific rules that will lead all this diversity to some kind of correct uniformity , not enough.

That is, generally binding norms, canons, are needed where a society appears, where it is already necessary to prescribe certain rights and obligations to its members in order to avoid chaos and disorder in it.

In addition, the canons serve to maintain the original image of the Church, which arose on the day of Pentecost, so that it remains unchanged under any state, culture, or social formation. The Church is always and at all times the same: in the 1st century, and in the era of the Ecumenical Councils, and in late Byzantium, and in the Muscovite kingdom, and now. And the canons protect this identity of the Church with itself through all centuries.

What is customary to bring to church?

Alms to believers for reading a prayer for “restoring sins and giving peace to the soul” are expressed in the form of products. And so, what should be on the funeral table. The range of products depends on church holidays and fasts. If the day you order the service is not a church holiday or fast then it could be:

• bread, cereals;
• vegetable oil;
• dairy products;
• sugar, flour;
• vegetables fruits;
• fish;
• candies, cookies, etc.

If you submit a note for service in the post. Then the set of products should be compiled according to church traditions, and they should not contain prohibited foods during Lent. In other words, on such days you should not put such foods on the funeral table in the church as eggs, meat, milk, etc.

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You also need to study the church calendar in detail. On Radonitsa Day (9th day after Easter) it is customary to bring eggs, Easter cakes, and Easter cakes for commemoration. Of course, each person personally chooses a set of products. Today there are no specific lists that need to be collected for commemoration. The main thing is that these products are given to the church with a pure soul and good intentions.

Along with food items, parishioners also place notes on the funeral table with the names of deceased relatives for whom prayers should be read.

It should also be noted that most often, notes and food are brought to commemoration on the 9th and 40th day after death. Also be sure to remember on 1, 2, 3 years. Also throughout the year there are special memorial days when it is customary to commemorate.