A recent report about candles in church caught my attention. Candles have been a part of religious worship for centuries. At one time (during the Protestant Reformation) their use was controversial for spiritual reasons; today more pragmatic considerations have caused people to take a new look at this ancient practice.
Candles serve almost no practical purpose in churches today – electric lights are available almost everywhere to illuminate the inside of buildings. But in the early centuries of Christianity, it was a secretive religion, its services hidden in blacked out houses or even underground in catacombs. The only source of light for these worshippers was burning candles.
By the time the church no longer had to worry about persecution and no longer needed candlelight, candles had become a traditional part of worship: ceremonial acts developed about lighting, carrying, placing and extinguishing them. A burning candle came to represent spiritual joy or even the risen Christ.
Two of the most important liturgies of Holy Week and Easter in Lutheran, Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches focus on candles:
Tenebrae is a service which involves lighting 15 candles and then gradually darkening the church by progressively extinguishing 14 of them
The Great Vigil of Easter begins with the lighting of the Paschal Candle and carrying it through the darkened church.
While many churches place lighted candles on the altar or communion table during worship, some use candles more extensively:
A sanctuary candle may be hanging from the ceiling near the altar, often symbolizing the presence of consecrated communion elements.
Votive candles are placed before a cross or statue, usually with a place to kneel and pray. Worshipers may leave a small donation to pay for the candle, and these contributions can add up to hundreds of dollars during a week. In fact, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church recently concluded an agreement with that country’s Finance Ministry to exclude these purchases from the Value Added Tax, a form of sales tax popular in Europe.
Times are changing, though, and the humble church candle may be on its way out. One reason has to do with air pollution. Scientists in Holland have discovered that burning candles can release high levels of carcinogens. This exposure may not be dangerous for occasional worshipers, but clergy, choir and others who work in churches may be at high risk for respiratory problems.
Another reason has to do with fire danger. Unsupervised flames can easily case a damaging fire. Many churches have exchanged electric lights which resemble candles for the real thing in order to lessen fire danger. (St. Mary Catholic Parish in Gilroy moved its votive candles outside for this reason.)
Traditionally, local churches have offered free or low-cost summer programs for youth. While many have already ended, here are a few samples of some still available.
High Flying Adventure, sponsored by the Gilroy Hill United Methodist Church July 11-15, invites children ages 3 through 12 to enjoy singing, arts, crafts, Bible lessons, games and snacks from 9am to 12:30pm Cost: $25 Call: (408) 842-4021.
Kingdom of the Son VBS Adventure, sponsored by New Hope Community Church, will be held July 25-29 from 8:30am to 12:30pm for grades one through six. Participants will enjoy songs, skits, games, Bible stories and snacks. Cost: $20 Call: (408) 842-4857.
Summer Day Camp at Christmas Hill Park (#2) is sponsored by the Gilroy Presbyterian Church for grades 3 through 6 from July 18-22, 10am to 1pm. Participants will have Bible stories, football, softball, soccer, crafts, hiking, swim party and sleep over. Cost: $30 Call: (408) 842-3000.
Chuck Flagg teaches English at Mt. Madonna High School. Write to him at P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, CA 95021.
