In the Orthodox world, Jerusalem candles are considered a unique spiritual gift. They are often kept next to other household shrines. How to light a candle correctly? What does it mean? On what days can it be used? Is it possible to split the torch? What is its significance for the believer? These and many other questions arise for an Orthodox person. He just doesn’t understand what to do if he was given 33 Jerusalem candles, how to use them correctly? After all, a consecrated object carries a particle of the Holy Fire, and therefore there are several restrictions on its use.
Where do Jerusalem candles come from?
The Jerusalem candle is a torch made of 33 candles. Their number corresponds to the lived earthly years of Jesus Christ. On the eve of Easter, on Holy Saturday, the descent of the Holy Fire occurs. In the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem) a special service is held, at the end of which the clergy bring out the Holy Light (or Holy Fire). It symbolizes the resurrection of the Savior.
According to legend, if the Holy Fire does not descend on this day, then the Apocalypse will come, the end of the world and the temple will be destroyed.
Every year thousands of pilgrims come to Jerusalem to receive the Holy Light. Many torches are lit on this day from the Holy Fire. Jerusalem candles (the photo shows that they come in different colors) retain the energy of purity and holiness for many years. The received Holy Fire is taken by direct flight to Cyprus and Greece. And then it is transported all over the world.
On the sacred ground of Jerusalem, monks make candles. They are made from beeswax. Therefore, it is easy to recognize a fake - real Jerusalem candles exude the smell of honey.
What are the features of the Jerusalem torch?
Everyone knows that on the eve of Easter every year in Jerusalem a special service is held in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. Many Christians from different parts of the world gather here to witness the miracle. It is called the descent of the Holy Fire, which reminds believers of the exit of Jesus Christ from the Tomb.
During the service, the priests allow everyone present to take a piece of Light with them, joining the holiday. Each pilgrim holds a torch consisting of 33 candles. It is they who are in a hurry to light them from the original source in order to get home a unique relic that cleanses from sinful thoughts, evil forces and negative thoughts. The house will be saved from adversity, disease and misfortune . It is those candles that were lit on the eve of Easter near the Holy Sepulcher that are called Jerusalem candles.
They are distinguished by their features, by which they are easy to recognize among other church candles:
Real Jerusalem candles are made by hand by clergy using natural beeswax. You can verify this by the delicate honey aroma emanating even from an unlit candle. There are always only 33 candles in the Jerusalem torch. This number is evidence of the earthly years of Jesus Christ. The real candles are those that were lit in Jerusalem when the Holy Fire descended. It is believed that even a torch that burned once can cleanse a house and sanctify it, and protect all residents from disease and evil. This explains why believers from all over the planet strive to get to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ on Holy Saturday in order to bring home the strongest amulet for themselves and their loved ones.
How to store Jerusalem candles
Such a shrine must be stored under certain conditions, without disconnecting the bundle. To prevent it from losing its miraculous powers, believers must follow the storage rules:
the temperature in the room should not exceed +25 and be less than -15. This allows you to store candles in the refrigerator. Of course, if the temperature allows, then it is better not to put the torch in the refrigerator, but to place it in the room near the icon and other sacred objects; do not allow direct rays of the sun to fall on the torch so that it does not melt; you cannot store the Jerusalem torch between household items - books , kitchen utensils and clothing. It should be remembered that this is not just a souvenir, but a gift that must be treated with care and respect; if you want to keep the shrine for a long time, the bundle must be wrapped in a fabric trim made of linen or white cotton; you can light Jerusalem candles, but not in the same way as ordinary ones church. If the church is left to burn out to the end, then the torch lights up for just a couple of seconds. During this time, any church candle is set on fire from the Holy Fire, and the Jerusalem candle is immediately extinguished. This will prevent the power of the torch from transferring to the second luminary. Candles cannot be blown out. They are extinguished with a cap or fingers.
Many people are interested in the question: “is it possible to separate the beam?” Yes, you can, if you want to share it with your loved ones. The more sincerely the candle is lit, the more benefits it will have.
The Appearance of the Holy Fire
The appearance of the Holy Light in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is considered one of the miracles of Orthodoxy. This sacrament is watched not only by pilgrims, but also by television viewers around the world.
On the eve of the service, all lamps, candles, and chandeliers are extinguished. The Patriarch undresses to his cassock. This is done so that it can be seen that he does not have matches or other objects with him that help to create a fire. This custom appeared after the Turkish authorities conducted a search inside the chapel. They even checked the patriarch's pockets for matches or other supplies.
For the descent of the Holy Fire, the sacristan brings a lamp and 33 Jerusalem candles into the cave (Edicule). The meaning of this action is miraculous spontaneous combustion, which has been studied for centuries. A lamp filled with oil is placed in the middle of the Picturesque Coffin. Patriarchs (Orthodox and Armenian) enter Edicule and the cave with them is sealed with wax.
In the temple, those present quietly pray and confess their sins. The wait lasts from 5 minutes to several hours. At the moment when flashes of fire appear in the Edicule, a bell rings. The Patriarchs come out, blessing the people and distributing the Holy Light.
In the first minutes, the Holy Fire does not burn. Pilgrims scoop it up with their hands while performing ablutions. Such actions cleanse, instill in the soul joy and happiness from familiarization with a miracle.
Two patriarchs
The presence of the Armenian Archimandrite at the descent of the Holy Light is a long-standing tradition. It appeared at a time when Jerusalem was under Muslim rule. Tradition says that the Armenians bought from the local ruler for a huge amount of money the right to personally perform the ritual in the Edicule. The Armenian patriarch spent about a day in the cave, praying for the descent of Fire. Other Holy Fathers were not even allowed into the temple. They stood side by side in the square. But the Holy Light never appeared in the cave.
The Patriarch of Constantinople prayed next to the temple, along with other priests. The beam that struck from the sky hit the column near which the Orthodox patriarch stood. Fiery splashes splashed out from the column in different directions. All the people standing near the temple lit up their candles.
After this incident, the ruler of Jerusalem ordered the ritual in Edicule to be performed only by the Patriarch of Constantinople. And the Armenian archimandrite, for edification, from then on should have entered the cave with him and observed the ritual being performed.
Strange events in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Often the descent of the Holy Fire is accompanied by strange events. Lightning-like flashes sparkle in different places of the temple. Sometimes after such shines, luminous balls appear. They move quickly in or above a crowd of people, without breaking up or blurring. At some point, the glowing ball lights the nearest candle or, sparkling, disappears.
The descent of the Holy Light, in some cases, is accompanied by sound phenomena. They are recorded in ancient historical sources and described in modern evidence. You can hear the thunder in the clear sun and clear sky.
Much less common are stories about self-healing objects. For example, the hood or apostolnik lights up during the descent of Fire. But after the flame is extinguished, the things turn out to be intact, without scorched edges or burnt holes.
Blood and myrrh flow occur at the moment of the appearance of the Holy Light. The very first case was described in 1572. Drops of what looked like blood appeared on the “Laying on the Crown of Thorns” fez. In the 19th century, the fez was replaced by an icon with a similar plot. And at the beginning of the 20th century (in 1939), on the night before Easter, it began to stream myrrh. This happened again in 2001. The icon had been streaming myrrh since the evening of Good Friday, but by Easter it had returned to its previous, untouched appearance.
The strangest thing is that after the episodes of myrrh-streaming, major historical events occurred, accompanied by mass deaths of people. So, in 1572, 5 months later, St. Bartholomew’s Night took place. In 1939, after 5 months, World War II began. In 2001, 5 months after the fact of myrrh-streaming, a terrorist attack occurred in the United States. The famous twin towers were destroyed and a large number of people died.
How to light Jerusalem candles?
The torch, lit from the Holy Light, is immediately extinguished. It is important to know that Jerusalem candles cannot be blown out. You can extinguish them only with a cap or your fingers - this way the holiness and amazing properties of the Holy Fire will be preserved in them.
A Jerusalem candle, scorched by the Holy Light, requires proper storage and careful handling. Each ignition carries miraculous energy. The clergy do not recommend dividing the bundle of cuts. But in everyday life, people often give relatives and friends one candle from a torch. Such a gift personifies faith in eternal life and brings with it a piece of grace.
How to burn Jerusalem candles? On what holiday is it better to use them? The torch can be lit with a regular match. This will not make it lose its wonderful properties. Then the church candle is lit from the torch. She becomes the bearer of the Holy Fire. And the Jerusalem candles can be extinguished until next time.
On Easter, a church candle is lit from the entire bunch. On other days and Orthodox holidays, it is allowed to light one Jerusalem candle and set fire to the church candle from it. This way the torch will last longer.
It is forbidden to light Jerusalem candles on days of mourning, on Christmas Day, and on Good Friday of Holy Week. This church prohibition is not negotiable.
Storage rules
33 Jerusalem candles are a powerful amulet. How to use and where to store the holy torch? The bundle can be placed on the home iconostasis. Candles should not be stored in a closet or sideboard. Even unlit, they carry a particle of light and grace. If there is not a single icon in the house, the torch can be placed on a shelf in the red corner - this is the far right corner from the door.
After the Jerusalem candle has settled in the house, it should be lit and a prayer of gratitude should be read.
Do not allow the torch to cool or heat too much. At temperatures below -15º it will crack. And if the apartment is hot, above +25º, then the candles will begin to deform. Direct sunlight will fade their color.
It is optimal to wrap the bundle in linen or cotton fabric and place it next to household shrines - an amulet, a cross, a prayer book.
What are they needed for?
People who received a torch as a gift are sometimes perplexed - why are Jerusalem candles needed? What to do with them?
The power of the Holy Fire is transmitted through the flame of the torch. If you light a church candle from it, it will also become a carrier of the Holy Light. With it you can cleanse your apartment of negative energy. Or place it at the head of a seriously ill person. By candlelight, you can pray and ask for your wishes to come true.
Why light Jerusalem candles? How to use them? With a lit candle you can ask:
- about deliverance from sadness and sorrow;
- about forgiveness and remission of sins;
- about getting rid of want, loneliness, illness;
- about improving things;
- about promising work;
- about luck in trading;
- about the health of children and parents;
- about getting rid of alcoholism, drug addiction;
- about admonishing an unlucky husband (wife);
- about protection from enemies, ill-wishers;
- about easy childbirth and the health of the baby;
- about improving relations;
- about a successful journey;
- about happiness in marriage.
Jerusalem candles can be used before starting a new, good deed and for consecration:
- new purchases (real estate, car);
- newlyweds;
- newborn
Read the prayer in front of the candle in complete solitude, looking at the flame. If there is no home prayer book, requests made in your own words are allowed.
Rituals with a candle
Holy candles are necessary for many Orthodox rituals aimed at improving the well-being of a believer:
- healing of physical and spiritual diseases;
- cleansing the house from evil spirits;
- consecration of household items, etc.
They can be used either independently or with the involvement of clergy. It is important to read prayers at the home iconostasis, looking at the candle flame. Fortune telling using Jerusalem candles is common.
Fulfillment of desires
Jerusalem candles help to fulfill your cherished desire. How to use them to make your dreams come true?
All requests, prayers, desires are discussed one on one with the Higher powers. You should light a candle, looking at the fire, and concentrate on your dream. Imagine that your wish has already come true. Think for a few minutes about how life will change after your dream comes true.
You can ask for a miracle every day (from 3 to 7 days). After the request, be sure to thank God for all the successes in life. At the end of the prayer, put out the candle, without talking to anyone, and go to bed.
How to formulate a request correctly
How to light Jerusalem candles correctly: light 33 torches at the same time and, without being distracted by other thoughts, ask the Lord God with faith in your soul.
If the desire will not harm anyone and is aimed at a good and sincere deed, with faith in fulfillment and truthfulness, then it is necessary:
- in your thoughts, concentrate on your dream and imagine that it has come true;
- pray in front of the candles every day for 5-7 minutes for 7 days;
- at the end, thank the Lord God for hearing and helping in making your dreams come true;
- desires should not be of a material nature; you can only ask for help, for example, to earn money, to find personal happiness.
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Jerusalem candles have powerful energy, they provide an opportunity to feel the divine spirit in the home.
There are several rules for using Jerusalem candles:
- Candles can be given as gifts.
- You can use them to highlight the acquisition, birth of a child, newlyweds.
- Light an ordinary Jerusalem candle.
- Light one torch or all at once.
- Extinguish only with a special cap.
Jerusalem candles are not lit on Good Friday and Christmas. The blessed power of Jerusalem candles gives faith and strength, fills the home with positive energy.
The Lord is always with you!
Jerusalem candles: the meaning of colors
A torch scorched by the Holy Fire is in itself a spiritual gift and has miraculous powers. Often such a beam becomes an attribute of magical effects. The clergy strictly condemn the use of the blessed power of fire for witchcraft purposes. Love spells with Jerusalem candles are prohibited.
But to fulfill your wishes, you can find bundles of different colors on sale. Each of them has its own meaning and allows you to quickly achieve the desired result. Jerusalem candles are a source of enormous energy. The meaning of flowers will help to concentrate the power of grace to attract good luck to your home or get rid of loneliness.
Wax can “absorb” a large amount of information. And the colors of Jerusalem candles give them a unique character and peculiarity.
Popular beliefs
As with many other church attributes, not only truly Christian traditions of spiritual use are associated with the Jerusalem Candles, but also occult misbeliefs.
Thus, some so-called white witches use church prayers with an admixture of spells for their spells, and perform unclean manipulations with candles and icons. In a similar way, unfortunately, mediators of demonic forces can use the great shrine - the Jerusalem Candles.
In this regard, members of the Orthodox Church should be warned against such an occult attitude towards shrines in general and the Jerusalem Candles in particular. Here we are talking generally about the internal direction of a person’s spiritual life.
About superstitions:
- Everyday superstitions
- Church superstitions
- What to do if an icon is found on the street
What not to ask for in prayers
You cannot treat prayers, icons, and demands as a magical ritual specifically designed to make a person’s cherished desire come true.
And these desires can often be of a nature displeasing to God - to get a lot of money, an apartment, a car, to wrest a beloved away from another, to harm a competitor in business.
It should be remembered that by offering prayers or performing magical rituals for such purposes, a person only incurs the Wrath of God. Punishment for blasphemy can follow both in this life and in the next.
Jerusalem candles
What can you ask for in prayers?
But for prayers with charitable purposes, it is quite possible to use Jerusalem Candles.
You can ask God to:
- To find a job;
- meet your future spouse;
- bless the child;
- recover from serious illnesses;
- study successfully;
- get rid of bad habits;
- protect yourself from those who offend;
- stabilize the situation in the family;
- forgive sins;
- and much more.
At the same time, it is important to remember that observing formal rules when praying is not so important (praying with candles at a certain time, in front of a certain icon, reading a specific prayer, etc.).
Much more important is the sincerity and faith of the person praying in spiritual requests. Of course, Jerusalem Candles will be a very useful aid in prayer, but you cannot give them magical properties - I made a wish with candles, and it came true. No, the main thing is faith and repentance.
Advice! Orthodox priests recommend that before making any serious request to God, go to church, attend the service, confess and take communion. It is especially important to repent of serious sins. At the same time, God Himself forgives sins; the priest is only His instrument.
Black color
The black color of candles will help you cope with problems and troubles. He struggles with depression, blues, loss of strength.
If a person suspects that he has been subjected to a negative influence (damage, evil eye, curse), he should definitely pray with lit black Jerusalem candles. They will help neutralize someone else’s invasion of a person’s field.
If a small child begins to visit public places (kindergarten, school), a black candle should be lit in the morning and before bedtime.
Magic rituals with a candle
Despite the fact that the official church prohibits various magical rituals, many still use the services of psychics and magicians. Jerusalem candles are used in rituals such as removing damage, the evil eye, curses, as well as to strengthen family relationships, attract good luck and health.
Since these candles are a good symbol, it is forbidden to use them in black magic aimed at harming a person. Candles are often used in rituals related to the treatment of a person from illnesses: both spiritual and physical.
