Can anyone explain to me the significance of lighting a candle in church to remember someone by. Where does this tradition come from, Is it mentioned in the bible? Is there a story to this? I would be interested to know and happy to give ten points to anyone who can shed light on this.
Urban
2007-03-01 18:51:52 · 3 answers · asked by urbanrt 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
from a catholics perspective they're called votive candles. they are usually near a statue of mary . it's not really to remember someone by as far as i know, generally they indicate that someone is praying for something or someone else. so, for example, if someone died the candle would represent that someone was praying for their ascent to heaven or for their families to be ok. you might light one if someone you know gets ill.
like most things in the catholic church, the tradition is pinched from someone else. i think it either comes from the aryans who used candles to fend off the bad gods, and the pagans (?) used to keep them lit to ward off witches. i suppose this translates. if someone needs your help and is perhaps a bit more vulnerable to bad spirits than usual you light a candle for them as support.
2007-03-01 23:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by spiralling 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting question. Sorry, I can't get the 10 points, as I would like to know the full answer myself. For what I know, it used to be done as a sacrifice. Probably it originates from the Jewish tradition. Lighting a candle in the East Orthodox Church is not only done as a sign of remembrance. You light a candle in church basically any time you pray.
PS. The Catholic Church split from the East Orthodox, so this is why both churches have it.
And more - you might wish to check Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion preceding Christianity and possibly Judaism (although I am not sure of the latter). The Zoroastrians used fire as a symbol of worship:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism
2007-03-02 07:59:37 · answer #2 · answered by Eve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes good question....
Does it say somewhere in the bible that Christ is the light of the world??
"The light shines in the darkness but the darkness understands it not"That's in the bible somewhere, I think.
Derives from sun worship?Source of life and warmth.
Light represents good(God ) and darkness evil.
Sorry just thinking aloud now.
I don't think I've actually answered your question, have I?
Sorry....
2007-03-02 16:59:10 · answer #3 · answered by stevesimon006 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋